Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN)

Rats and mice are common in King County. They can spread diseases such as rat bite fever and hantavirus. People can get sick from handling rats/mice, contact with their feces, urine or saliva, or from bites. You are more likely to come into contact with them when living in cars, RVs and outdoors. These important tips will help you stay safe and healthy.

Download: Rats and Mice: Guidance for people living outdoors or homeless

Hepatitis A (Hep A) is a virus that spreads easily. Many people don't know that they have Hep A so they spread it without knowing.

Get care for wound infections. Group A strep is a germ that is spreading in King County. It can cause "strep throat" and skin infections, and also severe infections, including "flesh-eating" bacterial infections. People living homeless and those who inject drugs are at higher risk.

Download Wound Infections: Alert for people living homeless

Shigella causes diarrhea, fever and stomach pain and can be spread through tiny, invisible bits of poop (stool) that people touch and then accidentally ingest. Learn how to avoid getting and spreading it.

Download Shigella: Highly contagious diarrheal illness

If you're a homeless service provider, encourage clients to prevent from getting Group A Strep by getting prompt treatment for skin infections, wounds and illnesses.

Download Group A Strep: Health warning for homeless service providers

People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Flu viruses are spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. If you are a shelter provider, learn tips on how to prevent the spread of flu by increasing the distance between people, separating clients with symptoms of flu and clean and disinfect surfaces.

Download How to reduce flu in shelters