Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Current top press releases and PSAs for

Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award 04/12/2024
There is still time to nominate a Kittitas County Public Health Champion! The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the tenth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. Any individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to the health of Kittitas County can apply.
Kittitas County Community Health Assessment (CHA) Released 04/03/2024
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is excited to announce the completion of the most recent Community Health Assessment (CHA) for Kittitas County! The CHA is conducted every five years and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the county’s health. The finalized CHA is now accessible on the Kittitas County Health Department’s website at Kittitas County Public Health | Home Page.
Local Increase in Seasonal Flu Activity 11/20/2023
Kittitas County is seeing an increase in local seasonal influenza (flu) activity, specifically Influenza A. Influenza A is the most common type of influenza currently circulating. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Come Watch Screening of UNSEEN: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why it Matters 11/06/2023
Come watch the screening of Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why it Matters at the Morgan Performing Arts Center at 400 East First Avenue in Ellensburg on November 14th. The screening is free and doors open at 5pm with light refreshments available. The documentary will start at 5:30 pm with a panel discussion immediately following the screening.
Avian Flu Detected in Kittitas County 10/28/2023
Avian influenza, or bird flu, has been detected in Kittitas County. On October 27th, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) sent a press release stating “A Kittitas County flock owner reported the sudden death of multiple birds in their small domestic flock of mixed birds. The WSDA avian health team responded and test results came back positive for the virus.” A recent case has also been confirmed in neighboring King County via the WSDA website.
Kittitas County has Veterans Services Officer Available 10/17/2023
Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is pleased to announce the addition of a Veterans Services Officer (VSO) to the services offered by KCPHD. Timothy Paxton, the new VSO, is available to assist veterans along with their dependents and survivors. The VSO is available Monday through Friday at the Morris Sorenson building located at 507 N Nanum Street in Ellensburg, Washington.
Respiratory Virus Season 2023-2024 Explained 10/11/2023
Respiratory virus season is here. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), fall and winter are a time when viruses that cause respiratory disease usually circulate more heavily in the community. Many people might call this flu season, but the season now includes the virus COVID-19 in addition to the seasonal flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
2023 Annual Drive-Thru Flu and COVID-19 Clinic is October 25, from 7 am to 4 pm 09/29/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) and Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) will be holding the annual drive-thru flu vaccination clinic on October 25, 2023, from 7 am to 4 pm.
Public Health Provides Free Vaccines for Morgan Middle School Students 08/28/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will be providing free vaccinations on August 29, 2023, from 10am to 5pm for Morgan Middle School students as a part of the school’s Bulldog Day student orientation event. Because this event is hosted by Morgan Middle School, only students who are enrolled at Morgan Middle School can be vaccinated. Consent forms have been sent out though the school portal for parents or guardians to complete. Parents must be present for students to receive vaccinations unless the consent forms are completed and signed by a parent or guardian prior to the clinic. The following vaccines will be provided:
Health Officials Warn of Local Rise in Opioid Overdoses 08/24/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has been informed by local emergency response personnel of a sudden increase in opioid overdoses in the Ellensburg area, presumed to be caused by fentanyl laced pills. KCPHD recommends that anyone using illicit opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, heroin, as examples) for any reason and that anyone spending time with someone using or suspected of using illicit opioids should have naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, and an overdose prevention plan.
Kittitas County Air Quality Conditions Update 08/21/2023
Kittitas County continues to be under an air quality alert, issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) through Wednesday, August 23, 2023 until noon. Smoke from several fires continues to affect air quality in Kittitas County. As of 10 am today, the monitors in Ellensburg and Cle Elum are showing Very Unhealthy air. To view the interactive map, please visit Interactive Maps (wa.gov).
Poor Air Quality Conditions in Kittitas County 08/20/2023
Kittitas County is currently under an air quality alert, which has been issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). Smoke from several fires is affecting the air quality in Kittitas County and the alert is effective until 9am tomorrow, August 21st. The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will provide an additional update tomorrow as long as air quality conditions continue to be poor.
Smoke Ready Week 06/15/2023
June 12–16 is Smoke Ready Week, a time to take preventative measures to protect your family and yourself. The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is advising the public to get ready now for smoke that could make the air harmful to breathe.
KCPHD Releases 2022 Annual Newsletter 05/31/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is excited to release the 2022 Annual Report. The goal of the report is to inform the community of our major activities in 2022, which include highlights around our workforce, partnerships, projects, as well as the Community Health Assessment, and Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) Funding.
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Recipients Announced 05/26/2023
The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is pleased to announce that the Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 will be awarded the 2023 annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award. The award is in recognition of their work to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community and their goal of understanding people wholistically and addressing all their needs. The award will be presented during the Kittitas County Board of Health meeting on Thursday, June 15th, 2023, at 10:00 am. The meeting is open to the public.
Risk of Xylazine in Opioid Use 05/22/2023
Health agencies across the United States are reporting an increase of Xylazine detected in overdose deaths and in seized illicit drug supplies. Regional Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) warn the general public about Xylazine risk in opioid use.
Scholarships and Virtual Passes Available for the 2023 Community Summit 04/19/2023
The Kittitas County Developmental Disabilities program is offering 3 full scholarships and 10 virtual passes to the 2023 Community Summit: A Decade of Community. Individuals interested in accessing the scholarships or virtual passes, must apply by April 28th at https://web.cvent.com/event/a34976b3-5200-44e5-9e74-f00ed4484887/summary
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award Nominations Due by April 28, 2023 04/18/2023
Submit Public Health Champion Award nominations before April 28th, 2023. The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the ninth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. The award is intended to honor and recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the health of Kittitas County. To date, there have been no nominations received for the 2023 annual award.
Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) Offering Vital Records Ordering Online 04/17/2023
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is now offering vital records online. KCPHD has partnered with Permitium to offer birth certificates and death certificates online via the KCPHD website at www.co.kittitas.wa.us/health. Only vital records from Washington State are available. Birth certificates from 1907 to present are available and death certificates from 2014 to present are available to be requested online to qualified applicants.
Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award 03/16/2023
The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is sponsoring the ninth annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion award. The award is intended to honor and recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the health of Kittitas County. This award is made possible by a generous donation from former Kittitas County Health Officer Jim Gale.