Washington State Department of Health
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doh.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Health
@doh.wa.gov
Welcome to the official Bluesky account for the Washington State Department of Health! We work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in our state. Visit us at https://doh.wa.gov/
Reposted by Washington State Department of Health
On today's Best of PHRME: Maria Courogen (@doh.wa.gov) shares Washington's sustainable funding model for community health workers, and Heather Krasna (@cupublichealth.bsky.social) offers job search strategies and resources to pursue public health careers.

🎧: https://discover.astho.org/4il3SIJ.
November 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It's a myth, Charlie Brown. You CAN put hot food in the refrigerator.

Divide large amounts into smaller portions and get them in within 2 hours. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temp for +2 hours.

More food safety myths at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
Food Safety Myths
Myth: The last meal I ate is what caused my foodborne illness (food poisoning).
doh.wa.gov
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The #WestCoastHealthAlliance continues to strongly recommend vaccines to protect our children, noting that rigorous research of millions of people in multiple countries over decades provides high quality evidence that vaccines are not linked to #autism. (1/
November 22, 2025 at 2:16 AM
A Grays Harbor County resident who was undergoing treatment for #H5N5 avian influenza died today. The Washington State Department of Health offers its heartfelt condolences to the person’s family and friends.

doh.wa.gov/newsroom/gra...
Grays Harbor County resident dies from complications of avian influenza
For immediate release: Nov. 21, 2025 (25-140) Contact: DOH Communications The person was infected with the H5N5 virus; the risk to the public remains low OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident who w...
doh.wa.gov
November 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Reposted by Washington State Department of Health
Today is an opportunity to give our thanks to the providers and workers in our health care system serving rural Washington.
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
DOH reaffirms that vaccines are a proven, essential tool for protecting people’s health. We join health agencies and associations across the country in confirming there is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to #autism.

doh.wa.gov/newsroom/was...
Washington State Department of Health statement on vaccine safety and autism claims
For immediate release: November 21, 2025 (25-139) Contact: DOH Communications
doh.wa.gov
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Washington State Department of Health
Today, Washington honors the transgender lives we have lost to hate-crimes and violence. Our state continues to work to be a place where every trans person can live safely and without fear. @governorferguson.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 4:58 PM
RSV isn't just a cold. It's the leading cause of infant hospitalization and causes up to 10,000 deaths in older adults yearly. Protection is available. Talk to your health care provider about the #RSV vaccine. doh.wa.gov/rsv
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
While many of us don’t give RSV much thought, it can be a serious threat to vulnerable groups. The good news? You can take simple steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Start by learning abo...
doh.wa.gov
November 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Thanks to all of you following us here on #Bluesky! Let us know in the comments how we're doing.
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Family health history is one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools we have to protect our health. It helps health care teams learn when genetics play a larger role in our health. It also paints a clearer picture of our risk for certain conditions and helps providers personalize our care.
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Around 2 million adults in Washington have #prediabetes, which is 1 in 3 adults. Are you one of them? See if you are at risk: doihaveprediabetes.org/take-the-ris...
November 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza.

doh.wa.gov/newsroom/h5n...
H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident
For immediate release: November 14, 2025 (25-138) First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low Contact: DOH Communications
doh.wa.gov
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
CDC, public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula.

www.fda.gov/safety/recal...
In Response to a Broader FDA Investigation, ByHeart Initiates a Voluntary Recall of Two Batches of Infant Formula
[New York, NY] – ByHeart, a next-generation baby nutrition company, announced today that, out of an abundance of caution, it has chosen to voluntarily recall two batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Inf...
www.fda.gov
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Washington State Department of Health
With outstanding support from our community, Washington state applied for the Rural Health Transformation Program this week. Thank you to our partners at @doh.wa.gov and DSHS for their collaboration.

Read key documents from our application: https://www.hca.wa.gov/rhtp
November 6, 2025 at 12:02 AM
It's not only rainy season, but also flood season. In any flood stay alert, please stay safe. If there's flooding in your area, check with your water utility or county health dept to find out if your water is safe to drink. If you're on a well, be sure to test it for contaminants.
November 7, 2025 at 8:49 PM
As respiratory virus season sets in and the holidays approach, we are reminding everyone to protect themselves against COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by getting updated vaccines for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. More at doh.wa.gov/newsroom/doh...
DOH shares new immunization tracking tool, urges respiratory vaccines ahead of holiday season
For immediate release: November 6, 2025 (25-132) Contact: DOH Communications
doh.wa.gov
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
One Health is the idea that human, animal, and environmental health are closely connected.

#OneHealth is a team sport, and a successful approach involves agencies working together to improve the health of people, animals – including pets, wildlife, and livestock - and our shared environment.
November 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Would you like to stay informed about #FoodRecalls and #FoodSafety here in Washington? Sign up for our emails at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
Food Recalls and Safety Alerts
Last Update: October 31, 2025 Recalled food products affecting Washington State are listed below by product name and date of recall. Recalls will be listed on this page for about a year. Learn more ab...
doh.wa.gov
November 3, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Are you or your family impacted by the continued federal government shutdown? We understand this is a stressful time for many Washingtonians. You can find local food banks
and other resources through Washington 211. Call 211 or visit wa211.org to learn more.
Home - WA 211
Beginning November 1, 2025, millions of Washingtonians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed themselves and their families
wa211.org
October 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Impacts to food access can have severe effects on public health. Find the latest #SNAP updates from DSHS. www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/defaul...
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Early detection only works if people can get screened. In Washington, many people living in rural areas still face barriers like long travel times, limited clinic hours, and high costs. During #BreastCancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting what can help close that gap. medium.com/p/de4c37a01d9a
Early Breast Cancer Detection Can Save Lives
Improving early screening rates in Washington’s rural communities
medium.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
We are working with local, state, Oregon Health Authority and federal public health partners to investigate Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) infections linked to consumption of aged, raw milk cheese. Learn more at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
2025 Outbreak of Shiga toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) Infections Linked to Twin Sisters Creamery Aged Raw Milk Cheese
doh.wa.gov
October 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
We have received additional funding from the USDA, allowing WA to continue providing food benefits and supporting our currently reduced 11-member admin team for the state’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program through mid-to-late November.
October 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Breast cancer can be inherited through your family. Changes in 2 genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase your risk for #BreastCancer and other cancers. Learn more at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
What is Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome? Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) is a genetic condition that increases the risk of developing breast, ovarian cancer and othe...
doh.wa.gov
October 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
We have created a new online tool to help people see where #measles exposures may have occurred in the state. The Measles Exposure Location Tracker shows public places where a person with contagious measles recently was.

More at doh.wa.gov/newsroom/doh...
DOH Launches Measles Exposure Map to Help Keep Washingtonians Safe
For immediate release: October 21, 2025 (25-128) Contact: DOH Communications
doh.wa.gov
October 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM