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Healthcare Providers in Whitman County

Whitman County Public Health

  • Promotes health at the community level
  • Prevents disease through population-level interventions
  • Focuses on getting health information to a population
  • Addresses social drivers of health

Healthcare Providers in Whitman County

  • Promotes health on a unique, personalized level
  • Prevents disease in an individual through preventive care
  • Focuses on getting health information to patients
  • Addresses specific illnesses, injuries, and patient treatments

Whitman County is Stronger Together

  • Improve quality of life
  • Increase life expectancy
  • Reduce healthcare costs through prevention and treatment

Program Contact

You can reach our Disease Prevention team at DiseasePrevention@whitmancounty.gov or securely via fax at (509) 397-6239.

For time-sensitive matters during our normal business hours, you can reach us at (509) 332‑6752.

For emergency reporting for healthcare workers, you can reach an On-Duty WCPH Officer at (509) 595-4834.

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Notifiable Conditions

Healthcare Providers & Facilities

Notifiable to the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient’s residence unless otherwise designated.

View the Report Reference
  • Laboratory Confirmation Required Before Submitting Case Report
  • Notifiable to Department of Health 1.877.539.4344
Notifiable Conditions

Laboratories

Notifiable to the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient’s residence unless otherwise designated.

View the Report Reference STI Reporting Form
  • Notify Immediately
    Requires a phone call to reach a live person at the LHJ, 24/7
  • Notify Within 24hrs
    Requires phone call if reporting after normal business hours
  • Notify Within 2 Business Days
  • Notify Within 30 Business Days
  • Report deidentified negative screening result at least annually
  • Specimen submission to the Public Health Laboratories required (upon request for all others)
  • Call Public Health Lab to ensure regulations are met (206-418-5562)

Notifiable Conditions Reporting Forms

Animal Bite Reporting Form for Suspected Rabies Exposure

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and fax the Animal Bite Reporting Form for Suspected Rabies Exposure to (509) 397-6239.

Report Online Download Reporting Form

General Communicable Disease Reporting Form

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and fax the General Communicable Disease Reporting Form to (509) 397-6239.

Report Online Download Reporting Form

Sexually Transmitted Infections Reporting Form

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and fax the Confidential Sexually Transmitted Infection Case Reporting Form to (509) 397-6239.

Report Online Download Reporting Form

Measles Guidance

Actions Requested of Health Care Providers

Maintain a high index of suspicion for measles to identify those infected.

Please consider measles in patients presenting with fever, rash, and any of the following: cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes—especially if they have had contact with someone known to have measles or symptoms consistent with measles.

If you suspect measles:

  1. Test
    • Early testing helps confirm diagnosis and guide public health actions. NP swab for PCR is the most sensitive test and preferred in the prodromal period but is most accurate 0-5 days after rash onset. If it has been between 72 hours and 10 days since rash onset, it is recommended to collect an NP swab AND urine for PCR.
  2. Initiate isolation promptly
  3. Exclude
    • Advise the patient to stay home from work, school, or childcare until at least 4 days after the onset of the rash.
  4. Educate
    • Consider using WCPH's Measles Fact Sheet to help educate patients and families about measles symptoms, transmission, and isolation recommendations.
  5. Ask about close contacts
    • Identify and assess close contacts for immunity.
    • Offer post-exposure prophylaxis (MMR vaccine within 72 hours or immune globulin within 6 days) to susceptible individuals.
    • Infants under 12 months, pregnant people without evidence of immunity, and immunocompromised contacts are especially high priority.
    • Advise all contacts to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure and CALL FIRST before coming in to the office.
  6. Report the illness to Whitman County Public Health immediately
    • We will conduct an interview with the patient to confirm isolation, assess exposure risk, and assist in determining recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis and exclusion.
  7. Prioritize vaccination
    • Ensure children and adults are up to date on MMR vaccination according to national immunization guidelines.
Infographic explaining the timeline for measles exposure. From the moment of exposure, the incubation period typically lasts 10-12 days; minimum 7 days, maximum 21 days. NP for PCR is the most sensitive test and preferred in the prodromal period but is most accurate 0-5 days after rash onset. The earliest possible contagious period begins 5 days before the rash appears and lasts until at least 4 days after onset. Fever and couch or coryza or conjunctivitis lasts 2-4 days, with fever dropping 1-3 days or more after rash onset. Maculopapular rash typically begins on the head, often along the hairline, and spreads downward, usually becoming a full body rash. Testing includes NP swab if less than 72 hours after rash onset, or NP swab and urine tests if between 72 hours and 10 days after rash onset.

Measles Assessment Checklist for Providers

View Checklist

Adult Measles Vaccine Recommendations

View Algorithm

DOH Guidance

Assessment & Management of Contacts Measles PEP Full Measles Guidelines

Pertussis Guidance

Actions Requested of Health Care Providers

Maintain a high index of suspicion for pertussis to identify those infected.

Please also consider pertussis in a respiratory illness of any duration in patients who have had contact with someone known to have had pertussis or symptoms consistent with pertussis.

If you suspect pertussis:

  1. Test
    • Collect a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for Bordetella pertussis PCR or culture. PCR is the most sensitive and fastest diagnostic test and is widely available at commercial laboratories.
  2. Initiate treatment promptly
  3. Exclude
    • Tell the patient to stay home from work, school, or childcare.
    • Advise them that they are considered contagious until they have completed 5 full days of appropriate antibiotics.
  4. Educate
  5. Ask about close contacts
    • Consider preventive antibiotics for the entire household AND any close contact who meets “High Risk” criteria:
      • Infants under one year old.
      • Pregnant people, especially those in the third trimester.
      • People who have a chronic respiratory illness.
      • Family members or caregivers of infants or pregnant women.
    • Symptomatic close contacts should be treated as soon as possible and excluded from public activities until they have completed 5 days of antibiotics.
    • Asymptomatic close contacts and those taking preventive antibiotics do not need to be excluded from activities unless they develop symptoms.
    • Advise family members and close contacts who are not taking preventive antibiotics to return promptly if they develop symptoms within the next 21 days.
  6. Report the illness to Whitman County Public Health within 24 hours
    • We will conduct an interview with the patient to confirm isolation and treatment. We can also assist in determining recommendations for prophylaxis and exclusion.
  7. Prioritize vaccination
    • Ensure children and adults are up to date on pertussis-containing vaccines according to national immunization guidelines.
Clinical features of Pertussis infographic. Incubation period is typically 5-10 days; maximum 21 days. Catarrhal stage lasts 1-2 weeks and is characterized by coryza, low-grade fever, mild occasional cough that gradually becomes more severe, and apnea (in infants). Paroxysmal stage lasts 1-6 weeks and is characterized by paroxysms of numerous, rapid coughs, long inspiratory effort with a high-pitched "whoop" at the end of paroxysmal cough, cyanosis, exhaustion, and vomiting. Paroxysmal attacks occur frequently at night, with an average of 15 attacks per 24 hours. They increase in frequency during the first 1 to 2 weeks. The attacks remain at the same frequency for 2 to 3 weeks, then gradually decrease. The convalescent stage lasts weeks to months, and is characterized by gradual recovery and less-persistent paroxysmal coughs that disappear in 2 to 3 weeks. Paroxysms often recur with subsequent respiratory infections for many months after Pertussis onset. The communicable period lasts from onset to 3 weeks after start of paroxysmal cough.
Optimal timing for Pertussis diagnostic testing infographic. PCR is best 0-4 weeks from cough onset. Culture is best 0-2 weeks from cough onset. PCR is the most sensitive and fastest diagnostic test. Serology should not be used for diagnosing Pertussis in Washington state.

Measles Assessment Checklist for Providers

View Checklist

Adult Measles Vaccine Recommendations

View Algorithm

DOH Guidance

Assessment & Management of Contacts Measles PEP Full Measles Guidelines

COVID-19 Guidance

DOH COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order Standing Order FAQ for Providers

COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule for Healthcare Providers

2025-2026 Vaccine Schedule

Program Contact

You can reach our Disease Prevention team at DiseasePrevention@whitmancounty.gov or securely via fax at (509) 397-6239.

For time-sensitive matters during our normal business hours, you can reach us at (509) 332‑6752.

For after-hours emergency reporting for healthcare workers, you can reach an On-Duty WCPH Officer through WHITCOM's Non-Emergency Reporting line at (509) 332‑2521.

Email WCPH Call WCPH Call WHITCOM