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Regional Healthcare Alert: 2026-27 Respiratory Illness Season
Dear North Central Washington Healthcare Partners, In anticipation of an early start to respiratory illness season, we want to share resources and guidance to use in the coming months to keep your patients, staff, and communities safe. We are using the same regional methodology for respiratory illness surveillance and response as in previous years, with…
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Provider Alert: Watch for cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Current Situation Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious acute-onset paralytic disease, which presents with symptoms similar to poliomyelitis. AFM occurs in patients of any age, but mainly affects children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting at least 11 confirmed cases of AFM in 2026. In previous years, cases…
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Provider Alert: Updated Guidance for Influenza Testing and Subtyping
Situation Summary Emergency Department visits for influenza are currently rising in Washington, indicating an early start to the 2026-2027 influenza season. Be alert for patients with seasonal as well as novel influenza viruses such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories…
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09/14/26 Health Advisory: 2026–2027 Respiratory Illness Season Immunization Recommendations
Summary of 2026-27 guidance from AAP, AAFP, ACOG, and IDSA: We recommend you rely on evidence-based immunization guidance from trusted national medical specialty societies, including: Find a summary of their recommendations below, as well as at SpreadTheFacts.org. For more detail, see the childhood and adult vaccine schedules and guidelines for immunocompromised patients (the brief summary below does not include guidance…
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05/13/26 Hantavirus exposure in King County residents
Situation There is an outbreak of Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. Three King County residents were potentially exposed. None of the exposed King County residents currently have symptoms of hantavirus. No other Washington residents have been reported as being exposed to Andes virus. Currently, no one in Washington…
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03/19/26 Provider Alert: Legionella cases increasing in Chelan County
Chelan-Douglas Health District continues to see higher-than-usual reports of Legionella disease in our community. Legionella is a waterborne bacterium that can cause a severe form of pneumonia and a milder flu-like illness. Early recognition and prompt reporting are critical to prevent additional cases and to aid in identifying environmental sources. Legionella must be reported to…
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03/16/26 Provider Alert: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season has been extended through April 30, 2026
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season has been extended through April 30, 2026. Please continue to administer nirsevimab or clesrovimab to all eligible patients through April 30th. Current Situation RSV activity in Washington began later than usual this season, with emergency department visits in the state reaching the activity threshold in December 2025, compared to…
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Washington confirms measles outbreak
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a measles outbreak in Snohomish County—the first in the state since 2023. Three unvaccinated children ages 23 months to 9 years tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Additionally, one person in Kittitas county tested positive. The outbreak comes as measles cases are rising across the United States,…
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The West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
Summary The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) continues to recommend the American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Background On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorandum to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely…
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West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns
WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent. The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for…
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West Coast Health Alliance, WA DOH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns
WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent. The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for…
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11/24/25 Health News: Statement Regarding Vaccines and Autism
On November 21 the Department of Health and the West Coast Health Alliance issued statements regarding vaccines and autism. In short, vaccines are thoroughly tested and remain one of the most important tools we have for preventing infectious diseases. They represent one of the greatest public health achievements in history, having saved millions of lives…
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11/20/25 Provider Alert: Case of H5N5 Influenza Confirmed in Washington
Current Situation On November 13, 2025, a Washington resident who has been hospitalized with respiratory illness symptoms since early November tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5 influenza virus. To our knowledge, this is the first known human case of H5N5. The…