Recent News

Visit the Health News and Alerts page

Oct. 6, 2025

Key messages    

  • Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and University of Washington detected clade I mpox in Pierce County wastewater.
  • Back-to-school and the fall are a great time to get you and your family vaccinated!
  • Two Health Impact Assessments make policy recommendations to protect public health.      

Updates     

Clade I mpox detected in Pierce County wastewater

On Sept. 24, 2025, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the University of Washington detected clade I mpox virus (also called monkeypox virus) in Pierce County wastewater.

  • At this time, no patients with clade I mpox have been reported in Pierce County.
  • The identity or travel history of any people with clade I mpox in Pierce County is not known.
  • Mpox can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters or ulcers. The rash can be on a small area of the body (including the genitals) or can cover a larger area of the body.
  • A vaccine is available for people at higher risk of contracting mpox.

Read more in our release.

Keep you and your family safe. Get vaccinated!

Staying up to date on vaccinations is important for everyone. Getting vaccinated protects you, your family and your community.

  • Children who attend school and childcare need certain vaccines before the first day.
  • If your child missed the clinics and still needs vaccinations, they might be able to take advantage of a school-based health center (SBHC).
  • If your child still needs vaccines, it isn’t too late to find a local vaccine clinic. Several local organizations are working together to hold events in Pierce County this fall:
    • The Bessler Center at Mary Bridge Children’s.
    • Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps.
    • Acts Pharmacy & Healthcare Services.

Find out more about vaccines and how to get them in this fall season!

Two Health Impact Assessments make policy recommendations to protect public health

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recently published two Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) that evaluate the potential health effects of City of Tacoma policies.

  • HIAs inform decision-makers and the public of the potential health outcomes—both beneficial and harmful—of a proposed project, policy, or program.
  • The City of Tacoma contracted with the Health Department to conduct HIAs on the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District (STGPD) code update and the Tideflats Subarea Plan. 
  • They can be used to learn more about our neighborhoods, environmental health, and how our local policies and regulations can affect our health.

Learn more about these Health Impact Assessment and what they can mean for your community in our release.

Stay safe: Don’t eat at unpermitted food vendors

Every food establishment in Pierce County must be permitted with us. We’ve seen an increase in roadside vendors selling food without a permit.

  • We’ve begun taking extra steps to find roadside carts and stands in Pierce County operating without permits.
  • Food permits and inspections might not seem like a big deal. But foodborne illness can be bad news.
  • If we find an unpermitted vendor, we can issue a permit then and there if they met requirements! If not, we ask them to leave and throw away unsafe food.

Learn more about food permitting and how to stay safe in our Reliable Source Blog.

Read and share our reliable information         

Stay informed on many health topics affecting you, your family, and your community. Let’s work together to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. Sign up for our email updates and check out these great resources:                   

         

Return to full list