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Public Health Seattle & King County reports ongoing respiratory season, whooping cough rise and local salmonella outbreak
Summary
Director Dr. Jeff Duchin (transcript lists Director Khan) and Public Health staff briefed the board on respiratory illness trends: elevated RSV, a surge in pertussis (whooping cough) in 2024, increasing flu activity, ongoing low‑level COVID‑19, a localized salmonella outbreak linked to a supportive housing dinner, and the Medic 1 EMS levy plans.
Public Health Seattle & King County’s director provided the Board of Health on Jan. 16 with an update on the current respiratory‑illness season and other public‑health items.
Director (Dr.) Khan reported that respiratory illness activity (including RSV) has been rising in King County since October and that emergency department visit rates for RSV have begun to ease in recent weeks. He warned that RSV can be mild in healthy adults but may hospitalize infants and older adults, and urged adherence to recommended immunization schedules.
Khan said pertussis (whooping cough) rose in 2024: the county recorded more cases last year than in the preceding three years combined, a concern because pertussis can be life‑threatening for babies. Influenza activity has also increased compared with the prior season; Public Health said it was too soon to tell whether influenza had peaked. COVID‑19 continues to circulate but severe outcomes are at their lowest levels since the pandemic began.
The director also summarized a salmonella outbreak tied to a series of December holiday dinners at a supportive emergency housing site (Merry Pilgrim Inn). Public Health investigators found that 22 of 38 attendees tested positive for salmonella; the department said all affected people have recovered and credited disease‑investigation and food‑safety staff with limiting a broader community outbreak.
Khan briefly noted H5N1 bird‑flu monitoring, advising that people who encounter sick or dead birds consult the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance (wdfw.wa.gov), and said the CDC has broadened testing guidance in some settings for hospitalized patients with influenza‑like illness.
On emergency medical services, Public Health reported that the EMS advisory task force has endorsed placing a six‑year, $0.25 Medic 1 levy on the November ballot to support King County’s emergency medical services system; staff will provide more detailed materials later.
Board members asked clarifying questions and thanked staff for a written report. The director said a fuller written report will be provided to the board; no formal board action was taken on the briefing.
