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National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center
Working together to increase the capability of the U.S. public health and health care systems to safely and effectively manage special pathogens.
2024 Joint Commission Standards for Infection Control
Beginning this summer, hospitals looking to maintain or apply for accreditation from The Joint Commission—the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care—will have to adopt a new set of standards for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCID). Watch the March 15 webinar recording on the new infection control requirements established by The Joint Commission. Learn about key changes to the standards, strategies for implementation, and resources and tools to empower your organization to be ready for the new standards by July 1, 2024.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
On April 1, 2024, the CDC confirmed a positive human case of influenza A(H5N1) virus in the United States. The patient showed symptoms on March 27 and had been exposed to dairy cattle infected with the virus. This marks the second confirmed human case of influenza A(H5N1) in the United States and the first known case of human infection from contact with an infected mammal. Human infections with avian influenza A viruses, including A(H5N1) viruses, are uncommon but have occurred sporadically worldwide. The CDC has recommendations for clinicians on monitoring, testing, and antiviral treatment for patients with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A virus infections.
National Special Pathogens System (NSPS)
COVID-19 exposed serious gaps in the nation’s health care system, leading to the deaths of more than one million Americans and counting. NSPS was designed in response, to prepare the country for the next large-scale outbreak.
Recent News
Mpox Update for EMS Personnel
It is very unlikely that EMS clinicians will encounter a person infected with clade I or clade II MPXV, the types endemic to central and west Africa, during routine operations. It is more likely that EMS clinicians will encounter a patient infected with clade IIb MPXV. However, EMS personnel should be aware of the possibility of clade I MPXV in travelers who have been in DRC and always adhere to an identify, isolate, and inform strategy.
Climate Change and Infectious Diseases
How climate change and environmental factors affect disease epidemiology and the emergence of vector-borne diseases.
DOT Guidance on Monkeypox Virus Waste
New advice from the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been issued to address the handling of diagnostic samples and clinical waste containing monkeypox virus (MPXV).
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Join @unmc / @NebraskaMed, Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center for Region 7, & Region 7 Disaster Health Response Ecosystem for a Special Pathogen Outbreak Situation Report on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) on 4/29 at 11 a.m. CST: https://ow.ly/Kn9Q50RlqEc
Under pressure from scientists to share more data on the H5N1 avian flu outbreaks in dairy cows, the USDA uploaded 239 genetic sequences of the virus.
Mondays get you down? Well turn that frown upside down, SPECTRE’s latest newsletter is here and is available for your viewing pleasure!!! https://www.utmb.edu/spectre/about/news-publications #specialpathogens #specialpathogenspreparedness #infectiousdiseases #infectioncontrol #viral #globalhealth
