In 2024, the Washington State Public Health Lab provided significant testing support for a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza event. Many of the staff supporting this outbreak response were funded by FPHS funds. Without the FPHS funding our response would have been less robust. We would have needed to limit throughput and likely reduce operating hours.
Partnering Across Agencies in Response to an Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreak.
In late 2024, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak occurred at a poultry farm in Franklin County. The birds at the farm were depopulated, and subsequently, staff working at the farm demonstrated mild flu-like symptoms, including conjunctivitis. The event triggered DOH and Benton-Franklin Health District to implement the Incident Command System (ICS) to better manage the situation. The Washington State Public Health Lab provided significant testing support for the duration of the event. This included conducting testing on weekends and evenings in support of disease control measures. Many of the staff supporting this outbreak response were funded by FPHS funds. Without the FPHS funding our response would have been less robust. We would have needed to limit throughput and likely reduce operating hours.
Without FPHS, BFHD’s response to HPAI would have been slower, less coordinated, and less equitable. With it, the community received swift care, workers were protected, and public health partners across Washington gained new insights to improve future responses.
Without FPHS, BFHD’s response to a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza event would have been slower, less coordinated, and less equitable. With it, the community received swift care, workers were protected, and public health partners across Washington gained new insights to improve future responses.
FPHS exists everywhere in Washington in order to serve everyone in Washington. Check out some of these other FPHS stories to learn about some of the other places or paths for FPHS delivery.
Skagit County Public Health has been able to provide STI testing, treatment, and outreach to communities living in remote areas, experiencing homeless, or facing other barriers to accessing care.
Read Story
Thanks to FPHS Immunization Outreach and FPHS Reinforcing Capacity funds, Spokane’s Immunization Assessment & Promotion (IAP) team was able to implement two successful vaccine campaigns, create community-specific resources, provide educational opportunities for vaccine advocates, develop and maintain partnerships, and provide access to vaccines for uninsured adults.
Read Story
Through the Language Access Collaborative led by Public Health-Seattle King County, our agency now has access to translation and interpretation services in over 50 languages. With nearly 40% of Grant County residents speaking a language other than English at home, this service has become essential.
Read Story
Having a Community Health Assessment (CHA) allowed the department to evaluate health equity, identify critical service gaps, and understand the nuanced barriers that impact rural well-being—from healthcare access and behavioral health to food security, transportation, and childcare. These insights have served as the foundation for every subsequent decision, program, and partnership GCPH has launched.
Read Story
In 2024, the Washington State Public Health Lab provided significant testing support for a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza event. Many of the staff supporting this outbreak response were funded by FPHS funds. Without the FPHS funding our response would have been less robust. We would have needed to limit throughput and likely reduce operating hours.
Read Story
People who move to eastern Washington are often unaware of the unique set of environmental hazards, extreme weather events, and potential disasters that may occur in the region. Some newcomers to the area primarily speak and read languages other than English. To serve the whole community’s emergency preparedness needs, public health agencies provide accessible information that helps residents prepare for local threats and hazards. Importantly, FPHS funds supported (or in coordination with local nonprofit organizations, SRHD leveraged FPHS funds to support) the translation and targeted dissemination of plain-language public health emergency preparedness materials covering extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and general household preparedness topics to disproportionately impacted communities in Spokane County.
Read Story