Colorectal Cancer
September 12, 2011
Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus: state’s first are in Yakima Co.
August 19, 2011
OLYMPIA–A mosquito sample collected in Yakima County on Tuesday tested positive for West Nile virus providing the first sign that the virus is present in Washington this year. Monitoring and testing dead birds and mosquitoes has been ongoing around the state since June.
In 2009, 38 people in Washington became sick from West Nile virus infections. Last year we had two human cases in the state. Although there have been no human cases identified this year, people should be aware that the virus is here and can cause very serious illness.
Fresh Strawberries From Washington County Farm Implicated In E. coli O157 Outbreak In NW Oregon
August 11, 2011
August 8, 2011 – Oregon Public Health officials have identified fresh strawberries from a Newberg farm as the source of a cluster of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections that sickened at least 10 people last month, including one person who died.
The strawberries were produced last month by Jaquith Strawberry Farm located at 23135 SW Jaquith Road in Newberg. Jaquith finished its strawberry season in late July, and its strawberries are no longer on the market. Jaquith sold its strawberries to buyers who then resold them at roadside stands and farmer’s markets.
Eating raw oysters source of recent cases of vibriosis
August 5, 2011
OLYMPIA – Several people got sick after eating raw oysters containing Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. So far, 18 vibriosis illnesses have been linked to commercial operations and four illnesses to recreational harvesting in Puget Sound and on the Washington coast. Cooking shellfish thoroughly will prevent vibriosis illness and is always a good idea. This is especially important during the summer months of July and August when warm temperatures and low tides along ocean beaches and in Puget Sound allow the bacteria to thrive.
Arkansas Firm Recalls Ground Turkey Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
August 4, 2011
WASHINGTON, August 3, 2011 – Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
Unapproved emergency birth control medicine possibly in U.S. distribution may be ineffective and unsafe
July 29, 2011
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning U.S. consumers not to use the emergency birth control medicine labeled as Evital. These products may be counterfeit versions of the “morning after pill” and may not be safe or effective in preventing pregnancy.
Evital has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
This potentially ineffective and suspect counterfeit emergency birth control may also be in distribution in some Hispanic communities in the United States.
The packaging label of the potentially ineffective and suspect counterfeit version says, “Evital Anticonceptivo de emergencia, 1.5 mg, 1 tablet”, by “Fluter Domull”,(see picture below):
Confirmed Hantavirus Death in Yakima County
July 21, 2011
Yakima, WA—-The Yakima Health District (YHD) has received confirmation from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the death earlier this month of a Yakima County man in his 50s was caused by hantavirus. This is the first hantavirus death in Washington State since 2009 and the first case reported in the state for 2011. Because hantavirus is fatal in about one of every three cases, YHD is encouraging residents to take simple precautions to prevent exposure to this rare but life-threatening infection.
YHD Health Officer, Dr. Christopher Spitters offers, “We extend our condolences to the family of this man. This rare and unfortunate event that led to his demise is a reminder of the importance of taking steps to maintain sanitation in general, to avoid rodent infestation in particular, and to exercise caution when encountering or cleaning up rodent infested areas.”
Health News
July 5, 2011
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Free Quitline services end; tobacco users should seek alternatives
June 30, 2011
Coverage still available for many despite budget cuts
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Health’s free Tobacco Quitline services have ended due to state budget cuts. That means no more quitline coverage for the uninsured in our state. The quitline has helped more than 160,000 Washington state residents since it opened in 2001.
Starting in July, calls to the quitline number — 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) — will be answered by the American Cancer Society Quit for Life® program (www.quitnow.net), which will help people covered by their employer, by commercial insurance or by Medicaid. Tobacco users should check with their employer to see if tobacco cessation coverage is a health benefit. Many employers in Washington cover the cost.
King County residents 18 years and older are still eligible for quitline services (www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/tobacco/patches.aspx) through March 2012, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Public Health — Seattle & King County.
Even with lower smoking rates, tobacco-related diseases kill about 7,900 people every year in our state, and tobacco is a major cause of rising health care costs.
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