1. Acute Flaccid Myelitis

   Information about Acute Flaccid Myelitis

2. Animal Bites

   Whatcom County public health nurses are available for consultation on management of animal bites, animal rabies testing, and rabies prophylaxis at 360-778-6100 or evening or weekends at 360-715-2588.

3. Avian Influenza

   Listen to CDC podcast on avian influenza involving cases of recent wild bird deaths near Wiser Lake in Whatcom County. Transcript available.

4. Bat Exposure

   A major concern with exposure to bats is rabies. An exposure would be any direct physical contact between a human and a bat (unless the exposed person is certain that a bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure did not occur). Examining a person for evidence of a bat bite is unreliable and should not be used to determine if contact has occurred. Persons handling a bat can be exposed to rabies through small or unapparent cuts or rashes of the skin.

5. Communicable Diseases A-Z

   The Whatcom County Health Department relies on healthcare providers, laboratories and hospitals to report certain diseases to us.

6. Disease Investigation & Surveillance

   Local health care providers, laboratories and hospitals are required by Washington State Law to report certain diseases to the Whatcom County Health Department. Once a report has been made, our staff members then investigate to ensure that diseases that can be transmitted from person to person are controlled in our community.

7. Family Emergency Plans

   View information about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

8. Head Lice Information

   Helpful information about Head Lice for parents from The American Academy of Family Physicians.

9. Influenza

   The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

10. Measles

    Information about measles, a highly contagious disease.

11. MRSA

    Across the nation concerns are being raised about MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In Whatcom County local physicians are also being asked many questions about diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this infection.

12. Needle Clean-up Kits

    The Whatcom County Health Department provides free clean-up kits for businesses and community members who wish to clean up and safely dispose of used needles found on private or public property.

13. Norovirus

    Norovirus is a contagious virus that may cause you to have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

14. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Information about 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

15. Perinatal Hepatitis B

    Learn about Perinatal Hepatitis B prevention from the Washington State Department of Health.

16. Pertussis

    Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a “whooping” sound.

17. Reporting a Health Emergency

    Learn how to report a public health emergency.

18. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    On this page you will find STD resources and information for health care providers.

19. Zika Virus

    Zika infection is caused by a virus that is spread by mosquitoes (these types of mosquitoes are not found in Washington state). Zika is acquired by traveling to a high-risk areas or through sexual contact with an infected person. The virus can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected.