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2023 Public Health news

December 22, 2023
Toxic algae in King County lakes – keep dogs out of water; follow posted signs before swimming

Due to toxic algae blooms, Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends that you keep your pets away from the water in King County lakes where algae is visible.

October 23, 2023
King County Medical Examiner's Office 2023 Indigent Remains Ceremony

The King County Medical Examiner's Office will host the 2023 Indigent Remains Ceremony at Mt. Olivet Cemetery Wednesday, October 25, at 1 pm.

October 12, 2023
Vashon Island beaches closed for shellfish harvesting: Paralytic shellfish poison found at unsafe levels

Paralytic shellfish poison has been detected at unsafe levels on Vashon-Maury Island's Quartermaster Harbor beaches. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed these areas to recreational shellfish harvest. The commercial harvest is not affected. People should always check the DOH shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish.

October 5, 2023
Executive Constantine proposal invests $21 million from opioid settlements to combat overdose crisis

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a proposal to use settlement funds from opioid distributors to address the opioid overdose epidemic. The funds will support local programs and services to reduce overdose deaths, expand treatment, and bridge gaps in services for people with substance use disorders.

September 20, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 1 pm

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, September 21, at 1:00 p.m. The agenda includes a briefing from Vision Zero for health equity.

August 25, 2023
Public Health appoints experienced leader as next Chief King County Medical Examiner

Public Health — Seattle & King County appoints Dr. J. Matthew Lacy, following a nationwide search, to serve as the next Chief Medical Examiner for King County. He will lead the King County Medical Examiner's Office, which is responsible for the medical investigation of sudden, violent, unexpected, and suspicious deaths that occur in King County.

August 17, 2023
Vashon Island Quartermaster Harbor beaches closed for shellfish harvesting: Paralytic shellfish poison found at unsafe levels

Paralytic shellfish poison has been detected at unsafe levels on Vashon-Maury Island's Quartermaster Harbor beaches. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed these areas to recreational shellfish harvest. The commercial harvest is not affected. People should always check the DOH shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish.

July 18, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, July 20, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on the Public Health budget.

June 13, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, June 15, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on youth mental health.

June 1, 2023
King County commemorates tomorrow’s National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend with proclamation and lockbox giveaway events

This Friday, June 2, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, kicking off “Wear Orange” Weekend, to call for an end to gun violence. To commemorate these events, Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Regional Gun Violence program is partnering with community organizations to host free gun lockbox giveaway events throughout King County.

May 20, 2023
New case of measles in King County

Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in a child. People who were at Aki Kurose Middle School, Pike Place Market, World Market, and HopeCentral Pediatrics & Behavioral Health in Seattle may have been exposed to measles if they were there within the time span that this person passed through while infectious.

20 de mayo de 2023
Nuevo caso de sarampión en el condado de King

El Departamento de Salud Pública - Seattle y el condado de King están investigando un caso confirmado de sarampión en un menor del condado de King.

May 17, 2023
Beginning June 1, many King County residents enrolled in Medicaid at risk of losing health insurance

With the end of COVID pandemic emergency measures, many Apple Health (Medicaid) clients must confirm eligibility for Apple Health, or enroll in alternative insurance options. Clients can login to Washington Healthplanfinder to check their renewal status and update their contact information. King County provides free support for those who need assistance with re-enrollment or to enroll in alternative insurance options.

May 17, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, May 18, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on the public health approach to regional gun violence.

April 18, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, April 20, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on overdose trends and response in King County.

March 15, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, March 16, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on youth cannabis and THC access.

February 14, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, February 16, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on infant mortality prevention.

January 21, 2023
New case of measles in King County

Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in an adult female. People who were at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or at Providence Swedish First Hill in Seattle may have been exposed to measles if they were there within the time span that this person passed through while infectious.

21 de enero de 2023
Nuevo caso de sarampión en el condado de King

Salud Pública – Seattle y el Condado de King está investigando un caso confirmado de sarampión en una mujer adulta. Las personas que estuvieron en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Seattle-Tacoma o en el hospital Providence Swedish First Hill en Seattle, pueden haber estado expuestas al sarampión si estuvieron presentes dentro del lapso de tiempo que esta persona pasó por ahí mientras estaba contagiosa.

January 17, 2023
King County Board of Health meeting Thursday, January 19, 2023

The King County Board of Health will meet Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 1 pm. The agenda includes a briefing on key issues facing public health in 2023.

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