News & Advisories

Under Washington state law, a local health officer is a medical doctor and public health expert tasked with controlling and preventing diseases, enforcing public health rules, and promoting public health.

In week ending Dec. 13, local clinical laboratory testing showed increasing detections of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but emergency department visits and hospitalizations remained low. Local indicators for COVID-19 remained minimal. Regional laboratory surveillance most frequently detected influenza A and RSV among clinical respiratory specimens, followed by rhinovirus.

The Kitsap Public Health District has lifted a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) warning for Kitsap Lake. The warning was issued Aug. 8. 

A case of H5N5 type avian influenza was detected in a Grays Harbor County resident in November.

Schools, childcare centers, and sports clubs throughout Kitsap County have reported clusters of HFMD cases to Kitsap Public Health in recent weeks.

In week ending Dec. 6, local indicators for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza remained low, but local clinical laboratory testing is beginning to show increasing detections.

In week ending Nov. 29, local indicators for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continued to increase. Indicators for influenza remained low in Kitsap, but appear to be rising in neighboring counties.

This is the first known case of influenza A (H5N5) infection in humans.

The Kitsap Public Health Board will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Norm Dicks Government Center in Bremerton.

In week ending Nov. 22, local indicators for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remained low, but were beginning to increase. Local indicators for COVID-19 remained minimal.