Diseases and conditions

Amebiasis

Amebiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, usually spread through contaminated food or water. It commonly causes diarrhea, stomach pain, and cramps, though some people have no symptoms.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is caused by a bacterium called Anaplasma phagocytophilum, typically transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Symptoms typically begin within 1-2 weeks (up to 3 weeks) after the bite, and can include chills, fever, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additional info about Anaplasmosis on the CDC website.

Animal bites and rabies

Animal bites are a public health concern because of the potential for transmission of rabies, a viral infection of the nervous system and brain of humans and other mammals that is almost always fatal. Infection can be prevented by administering rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccine doses.

Anisakiasis

Anisakiasis (worms in raw fish) also known as herring worm disease, is a parasitic disease caused by nematodes (worms) that attach to the walls of the esophagus, stomach, or intestine. It is most commonly found in areas where eating raw fish is popular. It typically causes sudden stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, and may trigger allergic reactions.

Autism and vaccines

Vaccines do not cause autism. In 1998, a man named Andrew Wakefield published a paper claiming there was a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism. Experts learned that Wakefield had faked data for this paper to mislead people so that he could make money selling a competing vaccine.

• Resources for parents, kids, and youth service providers - Plain Talk About Childhood Immunizations booklet (see page 19 of English version)
• Issue Brief: MMR, Autism, and Wakefield – Responding to Vaccine-Hesitant Parents

Avian influenza (bird flu)

Bird flu (avian influenza) is a virus that mainly affects birds. It spreads among wild birds worldwide and can infect poultry and other birds. Some bird flu viruses can occasionally infect wild mammals that eat birds or poultry (such as bobcats and foxes), pets (such as cats and dogs) and zoo animals. It does not normally infect humans, though in rare cases, it has infected people who have close contact with infected birds or animals. Additional info about bird flu on the CDC website.

B virus (Herpesvirus B)

B virus infection is extremely rare. People typically get infected with B virus if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque monkey; or have contact with the monkey's eyes, nose, or mouth. The first indications of B virus infection are typically flu-like symptoms, like fever and chills and may develop small blisters in the wound or area on your body that had contact with the monkey.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a disease caused by microscopic parasites of the Babesia genus, which are primarily transmitted by infected ticks. Many people who are infected do not experience any symptoms. Some people develop nonspecific, flu-like symptoms days to months after a tick bite; these may include fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, or nausea.

Bartonella (Cat scratch disease)

Cat Scratch Disease is the most common form of bartenellosis in the U.S. and is spread to people by fleas, body lice, sand flies, or contact with flea-infested animals. Bartonella bacteria can make people sick with a disease called bartonellosis. See also: Flea control, Companion Animal Parasite Control Council

Bats and rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that infects the brain and spinal cord and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. The virus is found in the saliva of an animal with rabies and is usually spread by a bite or scratch. Bats are the only known reservoir of rabies in Washington state. See also, Preventing Rabies from Bats, CDC.

Baylisascaris (Raccoon roundworm)

Baylisascaris infection occurs when people accidentally swallow dirt, sand, or other material that has been contaminated by raccoon feces containing raccoon roundworm eggs. Symptoms begin 1 to 4 weeks after exposure to roundworm eggs and may include nausea, tiredness, and nervous system or visual problems.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping. Bed bug bites are a nuisance and annoying, but bed bugs are not known to spread diseases.

Borreliosis (Tick and Louse-borne Relapsing Fevers)

Borreliosis (Tick-borne relapsing fever), is caused by several species of Borrelia bacteria and are categorized into three groups based on the animal that transmits the bacteria: soft tick relapsing fever (STRF), hard tick relapsing fever (HTRF), and louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF).

Botulism

Botulism, is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin found in food, wounds, and the intestines of infants that attacks the body's nerves. Botulism causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, also called "Mad Cow Disease")

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is caused by a prion, an infectious protein. Prions are misfolded forms of proteins normally found in the bodies of animals and people. Strong evidence exists that consuming meat from BSE-infected cows causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in people.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by a family of bacteria called Brucella. You can get the disease when you come in contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria. 

Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and abdominal cramps. You can get Campylobacter from eating raw or undercooked poultry, or eating something that touched raw or undercooked poultry.

Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella)

Cat Scratch Disease is the most common form of bartenellosis in the U.S. and is spread to people by fleas, body lice, sand flies, or contact with flea-infested animals. Bartonella bacteria can make people sick with a disease called bartonellosis.

• Flea control, Companion Animal Parasite Control Council

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The virus spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has chickenpox. The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is not going away, so it’s important not to let our guard down. People in King County increased protection from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, testing and staying home when sick, improving indoor air flow, and other crucial actions.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD and vCJD / Prion Disease)

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a prion diesase that occurs in people. Prion diseases occur when proteins normally in the body misfold and cause illness. The misfolding leads to brain damage and other symptoms.

Cryptococcus

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by breathing in spores from Cryptococcus, a fungus found in the environment. Symptoms of lung infections can include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever.

Cryptosporodiosis

Cryptosporodiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea.It is caused by a microscopic germ (parasite) called Cryptosporidium. This parasite can live in water, food, soil, or on surfaces that have been contaminated with infected poop.

Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People can get sick eating food or drinking water contaminated with human poop containing Cyclospora.

Dypilidium infection (dog and cat flea tapeworm)

Dipylidium is tapeworm of cats and dogs. People become infected when they accidentally swallow a flea infected with tapeworm larvae; most reported cases involve children. Dipylidium infection is easily treated in humans and animals.

Ebola

Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus). These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death.

E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli

E. coli germs (bacteria) normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Many strains of E. coli bacteria exist, and most of them are harmless or beneficial to human health. STEC are strains of E. coli that produce Shiga toxin (such as E. coli O157:H7) and can cause serious illness in people. See also: Biosolids and E. coli.

Fish tank granuloma (mycobacteriosis)

Fish tank granuloma is an infection caused by Mycobacterium marinum. These bacteria are widespread in aquatic environments and often occur in aquarium fish or food fish raised under crowded conditions. People can get infected through direct contact with contaminated water sources, including aquarium water causing skin lesions, usually on the fingers or hands.

Flu (influenza)

Influenza (also known as "flu") is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Foodborne illness outbreaks

When two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is called a foodborne illness outbreak. To keep our community healthy and informed, Public Health – Seattle & King County posts information about outbreaks we investigate.

Giardiasis and animals

Giardia infection is the most common intestinal parasitic disease affecting humans. Infected people may have no symptoms, or they may have mild to severe symptoms including watery foul-smelling diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, fever, nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Group A strep

Group A strep bacteria can cause many different types of infections that range from minor to serious. The bacteria can also cause inflammatory diseases.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition that causes nerve damage. Symptoms include muscle weakness, tingling, and sometimes paralysis.

Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib disease)

H. influenzae type B (Hib disease) can cause many different types of infections. These infections range from mild, like ear infections, to serious, like bloodstream infections.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus is a virus that is carried by some rodents. In Washington State, deer mice are the only rodents known to carry hantavirus. Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). You can get HPS by breathing in hantavirus.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease of the liver often caused by hepatitis virus. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Cases can range from mild to severe, with many people not even realizing they are infected. Untreated, it can lead to serious liver problems, like scarring or cancer. 

Herpes zoster (shingles)

Shingles is a painful rash illness. People get shingles when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox, reactivates in their bodies after they have already had chickenpox.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Influenza ("flu")

Influenza (also known as "flu") is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis virus spreads through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Some people develop inflammation of the brain, with symptoms including headache, fever, disorientation, seizures, weakness, and coma.

Legionella (Legionnaires' Disease)

Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease can affect people as well as many wild and domestic animals, including dogs. The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is a few days to several weeks. Signs of illness include fever, headache, chills, and body aches, particularly in the legs.

Lice

Head lice are parasitic insects that usually live on your scalp. Symptoms include itching, tickling, or sores on your scalp. Head lice do not transmit any disease and therefore are not considered a health hazard.

Listeria infection (Listeriosis)

Listeria are bacteria (germs) that can contaminate many foods and can cause invasive illness and intestinal illness. 

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a disease caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a disease caused by a virus and spread by the common house mouse.

Mad Cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal brain disease in cows that is caused by a prion, an infectious protein. Strong evidence exists that consuming meat from BSE-infected cows causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in people.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito. Malaria is not endemic in the United States. This means it does not regularly occur or spread in the U.S.

Measles

Measles is a serious and very contagious disease that causes rash and fever. It can cause serious health problems like pneumonia, permanent brain damage, and immune amnesia, which means the measles virus can cause your body’s immune system to forget how to fight off diseases it has run into before.

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious and potentially life-threatening infection that usually involves the blood stream (bacteremia) and/or central nervous system (meningitis).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics. If left untreated, MRSA infections can cause sepsis or death.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus called Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The virus can spread from camels to people through direct physical contact. MERS represents a very low risk to the general public in the United States.

Milk, raw (unpasteurized)

Consuming raw milk and raw milk products can pose health risks. Pasteurization is a process of heating raw milk to kill germs from the animal that are present in the raw milk.

Mpox

Mpox is a disease caused by a virus. It is typically spread through close physical contact. The virus often causes a rash, which may look like bumps on your skin, blisters, or ulcers.

Multidrug-resistant organisms

Multidrug-resistant organisms are germs that are resistant to antibiotics and antifungals, making them very difficult to treat.

Mumps

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can be serious. Common symptoms include painful swelling of the jaw, fever, tiredness, appetite loss, and headache.

Mycobacteriosis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are bacteria found in soil, dust and water. Although anyone can get an NTM infection, some groups are at increased risk.

Necrotizing fasciitis (Group A streptococcus)

Group A strep bacteria can cause many different types of infections that range from minor to serious. The bacteria can also cause inflammatory diseases.

Norovirus

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause swelling of the stomach or intestines, also known as gastroenteritis.

Orf Virus (Sore Mouth Disease)

Sore mouth disease is caused by orf virus, a type of poxvirus. It occurs worldwide, anywhere sheep, goats and similar animals live. People can get painful sores called lesions if they have contact with animals infected with orf virus. See also: Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

Pertussis (Whooping cough)

Whooping cough (pertussis) causes a severe cough and may last for many weeks. It spreads easily in the air when someone with whooping cough talks, coughs, or sneezes around other people. 

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