August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance that highlights the importance of protecting people of all ages from vaccine-preventable diseases. We are recognizing the month by announcing Washington’s 2026 Immunization Champion Award winner. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/doh...

Do you work outside? Protect your skin like it’s your job! + Use protective clothing by wearing long sleeves and pants and a hat + Find shade and take water breaks + Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours

Sunscreens and Sun Safety

This page will help you learn more about which sunscreens are the safest to use. Remember: the best sunscreen is the one you choose every day.

heyor.ca

Small improvements in the air quality across the state, but levels still remain high. Reduce your risk by following these tips at doh.wa.gov/smoke-fires

No drones in fire zones!

Washington Emergency Management Division@emd.wa.gov · yesterday

Firefighting aircraft operate at low altitudes, often just a few hundred feet above the ground – the same airspace frequently used by recreational drones. This creates a significant risk of mid-air collisions or dangerous pilot distractions that could lead to catastrophic accidents. #wawildfire

Breathing wildfire smoke can cause serious health risks and worsen existing health issues, especially lung conditions. Smoke can be carried by the wind, impacting people hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away. In 2025, Washington had 68 large fires that burned about 255,000 acres. Learn more.

Wildfires in Washington, 2025

Wildfires and their smoke have big impacts on health. This is a summary of how fires affected Washington residents in 2025.

storymaps.arcgis.com

We can get through this together, WA!

Please seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, during wildfire smoke events and in the week after. wasmoke.blogspot.com

You may have seen Evacuation levels listed are are curious what it means. Level 1 means be ready. Be alert. Level 2 means get set to leave at a moment’s notice. Level 3 means go. Leave now. Find more details in the video. youtu.be/BXim3du617g?...

Evacuation Tips in Washington state

YouTube video by Washington Emergency Management Division

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Lots happening here in WA. Stay safe out there. doh.wa.gov/emergencies/...

A PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Red Flag Warning is in effect for Saturday. Extreme conditions are forecast for the afternoon and evening with southwest winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH. Very rapid fire growth is possible with any new or existing wildfires.

Take a look in your fridge and on your shelves. Keep up to date with food recalls here in Washington state at doh.wa.gov/foodrecalls

In Washington, we are committed to protecting our drinking water from toxic PFAS. Nationally, the U.S. EPA is proposing to weaken PFAS standards. I joined @doh.wa.gov Secretary Worsham and State Board of Health Director Davis to call on EPA to protect clean water. ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who...

Joint statement on EPA PFAS rulemaking proposals

The U.S. EPA is proposing to weaken and delay standards for PFAS in drinking water. Washington State agencies oppose these changes.

ecology.wa.gov

🚨 SCAM ALERT: Callers are "spoofing" phone numbers, making it appear as though they are calling from a DOH phone number. They may falsely claim to be from DOH, say your medical information has been compromised, and ask you to verify personal information.

Temps are running high today across Washington. Stay cool, hydrate, and check in on those who might be at higher risk.

Donald Duck's Desert Dehydration

ALT: Donald Duck's Desert Dehydration

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We have a food safety team that helps track food recalls and safety alerts here in Washington. Find the latest and subscribe today. doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/food-safety/recalls

Stay up to date on the latest. #cyclosporiasis

2026 Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Background Last Update: July 17, 2026

doh.wa.gov

Sometimes our team chat gets weird. "Of course I get Explosive Diarrhea Weekend." Take care of yourselves, WA!

WA is seeing a slight increase in cases this year - numbers are still small. Most cases are international travel related. We're not seeing a suspected food source or signs of an outbreak in WA. Continue following routine food safety practices and contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms

CIDRAP@cidrap.bsky.social · 3w ago

Iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in 5 states linked to Cyclospora outbreak, says FDA The lettuce originated from one supplier in Mexico. People in the 5 states are urged to skip eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell. https://bit.ly/4aWSwrX 📷: arbyreed / Flickr cc

Blood supplies across the Northwest are running low. We encourage everyone who is eligible to donate blood to help ensure hospitals have the lifesaving resources patients need. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/blo...

Protection against measles is dangerously low. Here’s the latest data: In 2025, 84% of children received their first dose of measles vaccine, and just 77% received a second dose. This is far below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. This leaves children at risk worldwide.

Breathing in wildfire smoke isn't good for anyone. Reduce exposure and protect yourself, your family, your pets and livestock from smoke from fires. Asthma or other lung diseases? Follow your health care provider’s advice or asthma action plan, if you have one. 🔖 doh.wa.gov/smoke-fires

Every year Washington state has 0 to 11 cases of #cyclosporiasis reported, mainly after international travel.

Don't want watery diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, fatigue and unplanned weight loss? Then cyclosporiasis might not be for you. 👇

We are investigating a small number of domestically-acquired #cyclosporiasis cases and will release more information if they are proven to be related to the outbreaks in other states.

Yesterday, a judge sided with Washington state, agreeing that the GEO Group must permit health inspections at its private detention facility, the Northwest ICE Processing Center. The complaints we're hearing from people held in the facility paint a picture of neglect and cruelty.

There’s an increase in cyclosporiasis (a parasite that can cause watery, sometimes explosive, diarrhea) reported in multiple states. What to know ⬇️ 1/

A huge THANK YOU to all of our partners, staff, and community members who make the work of the Washington Tracking Network possible. Your commitment to using data to protect health is what goes #BeyondData every single day.

Spoiler alert! Prevent cyclosporiasis by washing your hands and your produce. It's the cliffhanger you should avoid.

Counties, cities and even some colleges have Alert systems in place that you can sign up for in case there's an emergency. Most allow you to sign up via email, phone call or text. Find your local jurisdiction here: mil.wa.gov/alerts#local

Go, sports ball!