Health

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Health

As monkeypox cases grow, King County scrambles to distribute limited vaccine doses

The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in King County is doubling every week — in part because of increased spread of the virus, and in part because of increased testing and detection of cases. To date, there have been 91 monkeypox cases in King County, and 103 statewide.
Eilís O'Neill
Environment

Hospitals brace for surge as Seattle area feels the heat

Hospitals in Washington state are bracing for a surge in heat victims coming to their emergency rooms. They hope to avoid a repeat of the 2021 heat wave, which killed an estimated 400 people in the state.
John Ryan
Health

Is that toxic algae? Washington officials warn: 'when in doubt, stay out.'

It's hot and you want to cool off. It's time to go to the lake. Before you jump in, officials are asking you to be aware of toxic algae blooming throughout the Northwest.
Natalie Akane Newcomb
Health

The first U.S. case of polio since 2013 has been detected in New York

The patient, who has developed paralysis but is no longer contagious according to the AP, may have contracted the virus overseas. The CDC says no cases of polio have originated in the U.S. since 1979.
Ayana Archie
Health

King County declares fentanyl a public health crisis

King County’s record-breaking number of fentanyl overdoses has prompted the county council to declare a public health crisis. This year 268 people have died so far--a 46 percent increase compared to this time last year, according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office Overdose Dashboard.
Ruby de Luna
Health

What to know about BA.5

Covid case numbers are climbing and local health officials are in talks about reinstating a mask mandate. But the public is largely feeling pandemic fatigue. Dr. Pavitra Roychoudhury at the UW Virology Lab shares the latest information on Omicron variant BA.5 and the risk level in the community.
Jeannie Yandel

Jennie Cecil Moore
Government

WA abortion researcher says executive order makes 'zero difference'

Even in states like Washington, providers liked Dr. Meghan Eagen-Torkko say a recent executive order to preserve abortion access is not enough to alleviate the fear some of her patients and colleagues feel now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned federal protections under Roe v. Wade.
Katie Campbell

Angela King
Health

Seattle's low income communities benefit from soda tax revenue, UW study says

Seattle’s soda tax has been effective in reducing consumption of sugary drinks. Turns out, money from the tax also helps low income communities, according to a University of Washington study.
Ruby de Luna
Health

Faced with COVID and monkeypox, new USAID leader draws strength from African proverb

Dr Atul Gawande, the surgeon and bestselling health writer talks, to NPR about the problems he has inherited as the new head of USAID's global health office.
Ailsa Chang
Health

Monkeypox vaccines are on the way to Washington state

Washington state is slated to receive a shipment of monkeypox vaccines from the federal government as community spread of the disease increases. So far, 15 confirmed and probable cases of monkeypox have been discovered in Washington state.
KUOW Staff

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