Hello and Welcome!

This is the first of many newsletters from the Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease Program! We hope to tailor these newsletters for child care providers within Whatcom County. Please let us know what topics you would be interested in for future releases.

Email: [email protected]

Disease Trends

Child Care facilities are at risk for case clusters and outbreaks related to Chickenpox and Norovirus. If your facility has any known cases please let us know! You can leave a report on our Communicable Disease Report line: 360-778-6150. We are available for help and consultation, please reach out if you need any assistance!

Chickenpox

The Whatcom County Health Department recently received notification of school-aged children diagnosed with Chickenpox.
Here's what you should know:

Symptoms: blister-like rash, fever, runny nose, cough, tiredness and loss of appetite.
Spread by touching blister fluid and through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Children with suspected chickenpox should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/index.html

Norovirus

Several school and child care settings have reported Norovirus-like illness outbreaks recently. Norovirus, also called gastroenteritis or “the stomach flu”, can move through facilities quickly. Act fast if cases are identified to prevent spread throughout your child care facility.
Here’s what you should know:

Symptoms: usually nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Symptoms often occur suddenly and normally last 24-48 hours. You may have one case and the next day a dozen more.
Spread by contact with the stool or vomit of infected people and contaminated objects or food.
Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

Check out the Norovirus Outbreak Control Checklist from the Washington State Department of Health: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5100/420-169-NoroFacilityChecklistSchools.docx

Generic Parent Letters for exposures are available in English and Spanish: http://providers.whatcomcounty.org/parent-letters/

Season Highlight

Spring time and Backyard Poultry

Chicks and ducklings can be so cute in the spring and are fun for children to look at but they can also be a source of illness, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. Even handling eggs from backyard poultry can put you at risk if you are not careful. It's important for parents to take steps to prevent illness to keep children healthy and prevent spread of disease.

See the link to learn more!
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/farm-animals/backyard-poultry.html

Salmonella outbreaks in child care centers are not common but they can occur, especially when staff or children don’t wash their hands after touching a contaminated object from an infected person (like diapers/toys).

COVID-19 Guidance

K-12, childcare, early learning, youth development, and day camps
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/821-165-K12SchoolsChildCare.pdf

Overnight camps
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/821-173-OvernightCamps.pdf

Free COVID-19 At-home Tests

For Child Care Facilities

If your organization is interested in free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests, please fill out this inquiry form and we’ll fulfill your request based on available supplies. Please note, this is for community organizations within Whatcom County and is not for personal use

For individuals

Here are three ways individuals can get free tests, some sent directly to your home address:

1. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order here: covidtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

2. Washington state residents can order up to two sets of five free at-home tests per month. Tests are completely free. Orders will usually arrive within 1-2 weeks. The free test kits are available for a limited time, while supplies last. Order here: https://sayyescovidhometest.org or call 1-800-525-0127.

3. If you have health insurance, most insurers will now reimburse you for up to 8 at-home tests per month, for each person on your plan.

Contact Info

Whatcom County Health Department,
1500 N State St., Ste 100, Bellingham, WA 98225

NEW~ Email: [email protected]

Communicable Disease Report Line: 360-778-6150

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