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Though having slowed in recent months, several recent widespread hepatitis A outbreaks have affected states across the country, including long-term outbreaks in California and Michigan, and more recently Utah, Colorado and Kentucky. These cases have occurred primarily among persons who are experiencing homelessness, persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, and their close direct contacts. Homelessness is a particularly significant risk factor, as the lack of access to restrooms and sinks results in poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions. People experiencing homelessness may also have underlying health conditions or drug addictions that might make their infections more severe.

Seasonal influenza is hitting our region hard as we see marked increases in flu hospitalizations and deaths. So far this season, 452 Spokane County residents have been hospitalized with lab-confirmed flu and 25 have died, compared with 222 hospitalizations and 11 deaths at this same time last year. Over the past 15 flu seasons, the current season is the first time all states in the continental US have reported widespread flu activity during the same week.

Flu is hitting Spokane hard. Health Officer, Dr. Lutz, gives community an inside look.

Health officials urge vaccination, consultation with healthcare provider if ill

​Agencies partner to issue cold weather health advisory; wind chill watch issued with potential for dangerously low temperatures

Flu, mumps and pertussis all spreading, can all be prevented with vaccines this holiday season; health district offers tips on when to seek care from healthcare provider

Members pass Legislative Agenda; a resolution that supports raising the minimum legal age for sales of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21; agency’s 2018 budget; and more

My counterpart at Public Health Seattle-King County, Dr. Jeff Duchin, who is a highly regarded expert in the realm of infectious diseases and epidemiology, wrote this week about the effectiveness of this year's flu vaccine and I wanted to take a moment to echo his sentiments. Early reports out of the Southern Hemisphere are indicating that one component of the flu shot, for influenza A H3N2, may have only been 10% effective in Australia. Dr. Duchin points to several reasons, that I agree with, why Australia's situation is not necessarily predictive of what we should expect here. And most importantly, both of us, and numerous experts are still strongly recommending getting the flu shot.

Nurse-Family Partnership, pregnancies, intervention, research trial