PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Official insights from Public Health – Seattle & King County staff

Locally-acquired hepatitis A case in person living homeless

April 18, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

A King County man in his forties has been hospitalized with a confirmed case of hepatitis A, a highly contagious virus that can cause severe liver disease. The patient has been living without permanent housing and has a history of illicit drug use. Because he has not travelled outside King County during the period […]

Meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis case in shelter resident

March 20, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

A resident of a homeless shelter in Seattle tested positive for bacterial meningitis (meningococcal disease) on March 18. The patient, a man in his 60s, is hospitalized and his condition is improving. The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease spreads through direct contact with infectious saliva or respiratory droplets (e.g. being coughed, sneezed or spit on, […]