|
|
Press Releases and Public Service Announcements
- Obey the Code, Secure Your Load. RCW 46.61.655 05/17/2013
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is reaching out to the community in an effort to decrease the number of unsecured vehicle loads traveling on roadways and entering transfer stations in Kittitas County.
- Yakima County Pertussis Case Linked to Kittitas County 04/26/2013
- On April 24, 2013, Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) received information about a laboratory-confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) in an infant from Yakima County. The case was linked to a Kittitas County adult. KCPHD has initiated an investigation to stop the potential spread of the illness. If you believe you have been exposed or are showing symptoms of pertussis, please contact your health care provider.
- Ellensburg Bulldogs Shoot and Score –FLU VACCINE CLINIC 01/23/2013
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will be providing flu and whooping cough vaccine at Ellensburg High School on January 25, 2013. All vaccinations for children will be provided at no cost, but will require signed guardian permission. Adults can get Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) for free of charge and can get a flu shot for $30.00 (cash or check). Going to the game? Driving by? Adults and young children can get a flu and/or Tdap vaccine between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Ellensburg High School.
- One case of bacterial meningitis in Kittitas County being investigated 01/22/2013
- An adult female was hospitalized on January 20, 2013 with bacterial meningitis. The Kittitas County Public Health Department has identified and contacted individuals who may have been exposed. Exposed individuals have been prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection by Dr. Mark Larson, Kittitas County Health Officer and their primary care providers have been notified.
- Influenza Epidemic Peaks in Washington State and Kittitas County 01/18/2013
- Influenza (flu) has reached epidemic thresholds throughout the United States. Widespread flu activity was reported by forty-seven out of fifty states in the week ending January 5, 2013. For the first time this season, the percentage of deaths in the U.S. attributed to pneumonia and influenza was 8.3%, exceeding the epidemic threshold of 7.3%. Influenza activity usually peaks in February or March, however, this year the peak is occurring earlier than usual. To date, there have been twenty child deaths due to influenza and thousands of hospitalizations for influenza-like illness throughout the U.S. Symptoms of the flu are a sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, and/or body aches. Flu symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, however, flu symptoms tend to be more severe and cold viruses generally do not cause a fever.
- Food Worker Education At Your Fingertips: Take The Test Anywhere There’s Internet Access! 01/02/2013
- Kittitas County Public Health Department is pleased to announce that you can now get your Food Worker Card online! The online training is available January 3rd, 2013 anywhere there is internet access. You may take the test and get your card at your convenience. The training and test is offered in English, Cambodian, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese and Closed Caption. https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/
- King County infant dies of pertussis: Heartbreaking loss of life is a reminder that pregnant mothers and family members should be immunized to protect newborns and young babies 12/20/2012
- On December 13, 2012 a newborn King County child died from pertussis, which is commonly known as whooping cough. This is the first death due to pertussis in 2012. There were two infant deaths due to pertussis in 2011.
- New pertussis case identified in Kittitas County 11/06/2012
- On November 5, 2012, Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) received information about a confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) in an adult who works at a local child care center. KCPHD has initiated an investigation to stop the potential spread of the illness. KCPHD communicable disease staff is working closely with the child care center to notify parents of children who may have been exposed. The Kittitas County Health Officer has issued a health order to exclude children who are not up-to-date on their pertussis vaccinations from the child care center for at least twenty-one days.
- Poor air quality continues to be a health concern in Kittitas County 10/05/2012
- Although Kittitas County experienced some good to moderate air quality earlier this week, Thursday and Friday reached “unhealthy” levels of fine particulate matter in Ellensburg. During conditions of unhealthy to hazardous air quality, the Kittitas County Public Health Department would like to remind everyone living in Kittitas County (and neighboring areas affected by smoke) to:
• Limit outdoor activity, staying indoors if possible,
• Avoid outdoor physical activity,
• Keep doors and windows closed in buildings and cars,
• Set air conditioning to “recycle” or “recirculate,”
• Consider spending time or re-locating temporarily to a location with better air quality if you are experiencing negative symptoms related to the air quality. Adverse symptoms may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea. Please contact your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Red Cross evacuation shelter also open to people seeking better air quality 09/24/2012
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department is partnering with Kittitas County Red Cross to offer a shelter for people seeking better air to breathe. The fire evacuation shelter at the Mercer Creek Church, 1407 N. B Street in Ellensburg, is being opened up to people who are seeking a place with better air quality than their homes. For people who cannot temporarily re-locate to other areas with better air quality, or for people whose homes do not have indoor air circulation, the shelter may provide some relief from the smoky air. Staying indoors or relocating to a place with better air quality is the best form of protection for everyone in the current air quality conditions.
- Protecting yourself during times of continuous poor air quality 09/21/2012
- Kittitas County is currently experiencing poor air quality conditions that could continue throughout next week. Staying indoors or relocating to a place with better air quality is the best form of protection for everyone in the current air quality conditions.
- Poor air quality expected to continue at least through mid-week 09/17/2012
- Smoke from multiple fires in the region continues to cause poor air quality in Kittitas County. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology air quality monitoring site in Ellensburg, the air was in the “unhealthy” range this morning. The range of air quality categories include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous.
- Multiple fires in Kittitas and Yakima Counties cause poor air quality; Sensitive populations advised to limit outdoor activity 09/12/2012
- Smoke from multiple fires in Kittitas and Yakima Counties is causing poor air quality conditions. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology air quality monitoring site in Ellensburg, the air was in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “unhealthy” range this morning. The range of air quality categories include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous. Air quality could continue to be poor while the fires burn.
- Smoke clearing out, ash and dust moving in 08/22/2012
- Air quality in Kittitas County has improved over the past few days with the fire dying down and the winds clearing the air. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, twenty-four hour averages of air quality at the Ellensburg monitoring station have been in the “good” to “moderate” ranges for the past few days.
- Fire evacuees should consider health and safety issues when returning home 08/17/2012
- In response to the Taylor Bridge fire, Kittitas County Public Health Department is providing some guidelines for evacuees to consider when returning to their homes to avoid health and safety problems. Prompt and safe cleanup procedures will help residents move forward with their lives while minimizing potential health and environmental issues that may be exacerbated with improper cleanup methods.
- Taylor Bridge Forest Fire causes unhealthy air quality in Kittitas County: Everyone advised to limit outdoor activity 08/14/2012
- Smoke from the Taylor Bridge Forest Fire in between Ellensburg and Cle Elum has caused “very unhealthy” air quality conditions as of the morning of August 14, 2012, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology air quality monitoring site in Ellensburg. The range of air quality categories include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous. Air quality is expected to be in the unhealthy range at least throughout the week.
- Know your status! Health department continues offering HIV and hepatitis C testing services 08/09/2012
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) continues offering anonymous and confidential HIV and hepatitis C testing and counseling services despite recent changes to immunization and tuberculosis testing services. Individuals interested in HIV and hepatitis C testing can call (509) 962-7515 to make an appointment.
- Bacterial meningitis laboratory confirmed in two individuals 07/11/2012
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has received laboratory confirmation of bacterial meningitis in the two cases being investigated. Both patients are in stable condition and are currently recovering from the infection.
- Two cases of bacterial meningitis in Kittitas County being investigated 07/06/2012
- Two potential cases of bacterial meningitis have been identified in Kittitas County. Both patients are from the same family and were in the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital (KVCH) Emergency Department on June 28 and July 3. Since then, both patients have been transferred to other hospital facilities.
- Kittitas County Public Health Department makes changes to services offered 06/26/2012
- Due to a downward trend in funding and resources over the past few years and the impact of the economy, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has made changes to some of its services. KCPHD now only offers immunizations and tuberculosis tests to individuals who do not have an established health care provider. Clinic hours are also being reduced to Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm only. KCPHD will continue to provide overseas travel immunization services as many health care providers do not offer this service.
|
|
