Communicable Disease

Preventing and controlling communicable disease is a core public health function. We receive reports from healthcare providers, labs, schools, childcare centers, and hospitals to identify disease trends and investigate outbreaks. Visit our new Provider Resources Webpage for current information on disease reporting, disease trends, and prevention steps for healthcare providers, long term care facilities, school districts and other community partners.

WAC 246-100 and WAC 246-101 adopted under Chapter 43.20 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) authorizes the health department to protect the well-being of the public by investigating and controlling communicable diseases. We work with healthcare providers and community partners to reduce illness by taking the following actions:

• Investigate notifiable conditions reported by health professionals and
• provide education on how to prevent future infections.
• Conduct surveillance for notifiable conditions.
• Serve as a resource to our healthcare providers, childcare centers, and school districts.
• Educate the public, policy makers, and community groups.

Public Health Updates

Provider Resources Page

Visit our Provider Resources Webpage for current information on disease reporting, disease trends, and prevention steps for healthcare providers, long term care facilities, school districts and other community partners.

Measles

Rates of childhood immunizations have declined during COVID-19. Ohio is experiencing a Measles outbreak, and there was recently an identified case in Seattle. Immunizations is the best protection against Measles and potential complications. Learn more from WA Dept. of Health.

RSV

CDC surveillance has shown that RSV detections and RSV-associated emergency department visits are decreasing. Below our patient resources, handouts, and information:

• CDC RSV page
• RSV in Infants & Children Fact Sheet
• Healthy Children - RSV
• How To Suction Your Baby's Nose
• Signs Of Respiratory Distress in Your Infant
• Proteja a su niño contra el RSV (Spanish)