Provider Resources WA

03/14/23 Health Advisory: Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis

| March 14, 2023
Pair of hands lathering soap over a steel sink

Requested actions Background Shigellosis is an acute enteric infection. It is an important cause of domestically acquired and travel-associated bacterial diarrhea in the United States. A low infectious dose makes Shigella bacteria easily transmitted from person to person. Consider shigellosis in the differential diagnosis of acute diarrhea, especially in people who: Shigellosis can be a mild, … 03/14/23 Health Advisory: Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis

02/22/23 Health Advisory: Increase COVID-19 Treatment Access, Prescribing and Uptake

| February 22, 2023
close up of a line of prescription pill bottles

COVID-19 treatment is shown to reduce hospitalization. Yet it is under-used for high-risk patients with acute COVID-19. High-risk patients are: COVID-19 continues to cause 2,000 to 3,000 deaths each week in the United States. On Feb. 6, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) relaunched its free telehealth program. The program, in partnership with Color Health, … 02/22/23 Health Advisory: Increase COVID-19 Treatment Access, Prescribing and Uptake

02/13/23 Health Advisory: Shop Me Ca “Diep Bao Cream” Recalled

| February 16, 2023
Green background with white lettering -- the product label.

Actions requested Providers, facilities, parents and children should stop using Diep Bao Baby Skin Cream.  Background On Feb. 1, 2023, Shop Me Ca recalled Diep Bao Skin Cream because of possible health risk.  Shop Me Ca of Herndon, Virginia recalled its 10-gram tubes of “Diep Bao Cream” because they have the potential to be contaminated … 02/13/23 Health Advisory: Shop Me Ca “Diep Bao Cream” Recalled

02/03/23 Health Advisory: Multistate Cluster of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Associated with Artificial Tears

| February 3, 2023
Yellow triangle with ! in the center and "Health Advisory" on the right.

Actions requested Background Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a cluster of antibiotic-resistant infections that may be linked to artificial tears. The most frequently reported brand was EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free product dispensed in muti-dose bottles. These over-the-counter eye drops are sold widely in … 02/03/23 Health Advisory: Multistate Cluster of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Associated with Artificial Tears

Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters authorized for children 6 months to 5 years old

| December 23, 2022
Individual with stethoscope and young child on exam table

Earlier this month, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded emergency use authorization (EUA) of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccines for children 6 months and older. Updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster vaccines are formulated to boost immunity against the original coronavirus strain and protect against the newer omicron … Health Advisory: Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters authorized for children 6 months to 5 years old

12/19/22 Health Advisory: Antiviral Flu Treatment Interim Guidance

| December 19, 2022
close up of a line of prescription pill bottles

Be advised: Background Seasonal flu activity is high across the United States. Vaccination and antiviral treatment help prevent and control flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 4 antivirals for early treatment of outpatients with flu: oseltamivir, baloxavir, zanamivir and peramivir. While FDA does not report shortages of oseltamivir in any of its forms, providers … 12/19/22 Health Advisory: Antiviral Flu Treatment Interim Guidance

12/19/22 Health Advisory: Newly Arrived Ukrainian Citizens’ Medical and Mental Health Needs

| December 19, 2022
two people (profile view) sitting at a window facing each other.

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced a new Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) process to help Ukrainian citizens fleeing war come to the United States temporarily. As of Nov. 18, 2022: Newly arrived Ukrainian citizens have various medical and mental health needs. Resources

12/12/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates

| December 12, 2022
Syringe in vial

Bebtelovimab no longer authorized in the United States. On Nov. 30, 2022, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bebtelovimab. Bebtelovimab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat COVID-19. FDA revoked the EUA because the drug lost efficacy against most SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the United States. Currently, … 12/12/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates

11/22/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

| November 22, 2022
Individual with stethoscope and young child on exam table

On Nov. 18, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a high-level alert on a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing remarkable strain on pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). This alert followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Nov. 4 Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on multiple viruses causing … 11/22/22 Health Advisory: Pediatric respiratory illness increasing in Western Washington

11/08/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity

| November 8, 2022
Person with head down, covering mouth with hand

Multiple viruses are causing increased respiratory illness, especially among children, straining healthcare systems. Transmission of respiratory illnesses is increased in our communities. Schools report much higher absenteeism than normal for this time of year. Our hospital emergency departments are seeing many patients. This increase in illness early in respiratory illness season highlights the importance of … 11/08/22 Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity