A strain of avian influenza virus (H5N1) has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry in many parts of the U.S. and in Washington state. Avian influenza has been confirmed in raccoon, raptor, hawk, waterfowl, raven and crow samples in Washington state, including samples from King and Pierce counties.
Take precautions to keep yourself and others safe this holiday season.
Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, get your flu shot, and get tested for COVID-19 prior to holiday gatherings. If you test positive, follow the UW COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart.
Prevent falls while decorating and house fires by taking these precautions:
The December 2022 version of the UW Laboratory Safety Manual (LSM) is now available for download or printing. It's time to review, bookmark, or print a copy of the updated LSM and make it available for all staff and students in your lab. Keeping your safety documents up to date and easily accessible are key for staying safe.
The Post-Earthquake Checklist was recently updated to improve accessibility and provide guidance for all campus locations. Evacuation directors, building coordinators, or other responsible persons should keep hardcopies available and/or bookmark it in preparation for an earthquake.
Have you reviewed your full chemical inventory this year? Even if you have been adding to and deleting items from your inventory, you will still need to attest to a full review of the inventory by clicking the Review Inventory button at the top of the list.
Although bats are a key part of our ecosystem, it is important to remember that a small proportion of bats in Washington state carry rabies, a deadly disease in the saliva of infected animals.
You may have noticed bats flying around campus. They are commonly seen flying at dusk, which is normal and not a cause for concern. However, if a bat is found on the ground or indoors, it may be an indication of something wrong with the bat.
EH&S Radiation Safety has resources and guidance for University laboratories when preparing radiation items for surplus. The resources include a new Preparing Radiation Items for Surplus Focus Sheet.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently updated their Job Safety and Health Law poster; a required workplace poster that informs personnel of their rights and responsibilities to a safe and healthy workplace. The updated poster reflects rule changes that increase worker protection from discrimination when filing a complaint.
Visit the UW Alert Blog and Snow Removal Progress Map (as appropriate) to check conditions before arriving on the Seattle campus.
EH&S has received reports of coyote sightings on the Seattle campus. Coyotes have been present at our campus locations and vicinity for years and they are an important part of our ecosystem.
Read the Coyotes on UW Campuses focus sheet for information on living and working around urban coyotes, preventing human-animal conflict, and reporting coyote activity our campuses.
