Category: Infectious Disease
Measles remains a growing concern in Washington as U.S. surpasses 1,100 cases in 2026
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, or talks. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours, meaning people can get infected even after a sick person has left the area.
New variant of the flu virus is driving surge of cases across the US and Canada
In early January, New York state recorded the highest number of flu cases in a single week on record. Several other states, such as Colorado, are also experiencing record flu levels, and 44 out of 55 states and other jurisdictions are reporting high or very high flu activity, according to the CDC.
RFK Jr. guts the US childhood vaccine schedule despite its decades-long safety record
Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have said that they will continue recommending the full complement of childhood vaccines. Several states, including California, New York, Illinois and Washington state, will follow established guidelines rather than the new federal recommendations, creating a patchwork where children’s protection depends on where they live.
Kennedy Sharpens Vaccine Attacks, Without Scientific Backing
Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist before seeking public office, claims that aluminum adjuvants are neurotoxic and tied to autism, asthma, autoimmune disease, and food allergies. But science and medicine advances a different view
First human bird-flu death from H5N5 – what you need to know
The patient kept a flock of backyard poultry that were exposed to wild birds, which suggests how they might have caught the virus.
Canada loses its official ‘measles-free’ status – and the US will follow soon, as vaccination rates fall
The resurgence of measles in Canada after decades with very low numbers of cases is not an isolated problem. The U.S. has also had large outbreaks of measles this year, and it will likely soon lose its measles-free designation as well.
The loss of measles elimination status is a symptom of a deeper issue: declining trust in public messaging about science and health, which has led to decreased vaccination rates and growing vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases.
MPOX CASES ON THE RISE IN KING COUNTY
In September of this year, 45 new cases of mpox were reported in King County residents. This is the highest number of cases in a month since the initial mpox outbreak in King County in 2022. Increases in the number of mpox cases have also been reported in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.
Washington Department of Health Launches Measles Exposure Map
Map shows live, real-time updates during active measles exposures
Can you catch shingles? A GP explains what people get wrong about this common virus
Although shingles becomes more likely as we age, it can occur at any time after you’ve had chickenpox – even in young adults or children. It’s more common when the immune system is weakened, which can happen with age, and in people receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments.
HOW TO GET THE COVID VACCINE IN KING COUNTY
Getting a COVID shot this fall might look a little different from state to state, but here in Washington, it’s pretty simple: all people ages 6 months and up can get the updated (2025-26) COVID vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.
More states protect access to the COVID shot as feds restrict eligibility
For decades, states have followed the lead of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on which vaccines Americans should get, and when they should get them. Now, rejecting the antivaccine stance of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an increasing number of states say they will rely instead on their own public health experts and professional medical organizations for that advice.
Denmark close to wiping out leading cancer-causing HPV strains after vaccine roll-out
Denmark has effectively eliminated infections with the two biggest cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) since the vaccine was introduced in 2008, data suggests.
Washington State DOH order allows most residents to get COVID vaccine without prescription
The vaccine remains covered by most private insurers, Apple Health, and Washington’s Adult Vaccine and Childhood Vaccine Programs, removing barriers and helping people stay healthy.
BATS AND RABIES IN KING COUNTY
Most bats don’t have rabies, but assume all bats may have rabies
As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered.
“CDC hasn’t reached out to us locally,” Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, wrote in a Feb. 5 email exchange with a colleague two weeks after children with measles were hospitalized in Lubbock. “My staff feels like we are out here all alone,” she added.