When mpox arrived in Pierce County, lots of people were scared. Thankfully, we had been working for months to offer help and ease their concerns. Our Communicable Disease team began working on plans to offer vaccinations. Our Community Engagement team met with community leaders to learn who we needed to reach and how best to […]
Protect your health from the haze
Wildfire smoke blew into Pierce County over the weekend. It may clear soon, but it’s important to know how to protect yourself. Wildfire smoke affects everyone, but can be especially bad if you’re: Find more info on how to protect yourself and how to make your own box fan filter at tpchd.org/wildfiresmoke.
DOH links listeria outbreak to Frugals restaurant in Parkland
Washington State Department of Health found Listeria bacteria in milkshake machines at Frugals restaurant in Parkland (10727 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444). Investigators used genome sequencing and interviews to link it to a recent outbreak that has killed three people and sent three more to the hospital. Read DOH’s release to learn more. Most people who consume food […]
You can safely enter the water at Tacoma’s Titlow Beach
We lifted the advisory for people to keep out of the water at Tacoma’s Titlow Beach. We issued the advisory July 21 because of high bacteria level. Results from water samples we collected August 14 indicate the public health concern is over. Questions? Contact the Surface Water Program at ehsurfacewater-shellfish@tpchd.org or visit our website to learn more. You can find current […]
The Board of Health August 16 Meeting Agenda
The Board of Health will hold a Study Session on August 16 (3-5 PM). Access the agenda and access instructions here.
We continue to work through all options in Tacoma tuberculosis case
UPDATE, July 25 On Thursday, July 20 all parties in this case agreed to a court order with conditions to end isolation and electronic home monitoring for this patient. The patient has tested negative in 3 consecutive acid-fast bacillus (AFB) tests, meaning she is no longer infectious. We will continue to work with her to […]
Spread the word: Get tested for syphilis
You may see our ad campaign soon on YouTube, TikTok, or a billboard. The message is simple: If you’re 45 or younger and have sex, you need to get tested for syphilis. Syphilis is sharply increasing in Pierce County. Our cases more than quadrupled from 58 in 2016 to 711 in 2022. The state and nation are also experiencing […]
We are working with DOH to investigate a cluster of foodborne listeriosis cases
We are working with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services to investigate 5 cases of the foodborne illness listeriosis in Western Washington. Four of the cases are in Pierce County. One is in Thurston County. All 5 patients were hospitalized and 3 died. All the cases were in […]
Marine Beach Warning Advisory at Tacoma’s Titlow Beach
Don’t swim or wade at Titlow Beach in Tacoma. Tests of water we sampled July 17 and 19 show high levels of bacteria that increase your risk of gastrointestinal illness if you contact it. We posted advisory signs and will continue to monitor bacteria levels there. When bacteria levels no longer show increased risks to […]