Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv
Update Sent April 21, 2008
NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current Clinician's information can be found on the Clinician Home Page.
Today's topics Include:
- COCA Conference Call: Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
- Earthquakes
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Laboratory-Acquired Vaccinia Exposures and Infections
- Laboratory Response Network
- FEMA Strategic Plan
- Rabies
- Seasonal Influenza
- Avian Influenza
- Pandemic Influenza
- Travelers' Health
COCA Conference Call:
Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
Title: Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
Speaker: CDR John Jernigan, MD, MS
Date: Tuesday April 29, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET
Please visit our website for the call-in information, objectives, and Continuing Education Credit information. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted by the date of the call: http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/coca/callinfo.asp.
Earthquakes
In light of the recent earthquakes in the Midwest, we would like to provide you with the following link to resources on preparing for and responding to earthquake-related hazards.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/
Emergency Preparedness and Response
New COTPER Website
The Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness & Emergency Response (COTPER) helps the nation prepare for and respond to urgent public health threats by providing strategic direction, coordination, and support for all of CDC’s terrorism preparedness and emergency response activities. The new dedicated COTPER website can be found here:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/cotper/
Laboratory-Acquired Vaccinia Exposures and Infections
Laboratory-Acquired Vaccinia Exposures and Infections - United States, 2005-2007 - CDC MMWR Weekly - April 18
This report describes five recent occurrences of laboratory-acquired vaccinia virus (VACV) infections and exposure and underscores the need for proper vaccination, laboratory safety, infection-control practices, and rapid medical evaluation of exposures in the context of orthopoxvirus research.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5715a3.htm
Laboratory Response Network
Laboratory Response Network (LRN) Bimonthly Conference Call - April 24
The next bimonthly conference call will be held Thursday, April 24, 2008 (2pm EST) to share and exchange information specifically regarding LRN biological laboratory issues. Please mark your calendars accordingly. For more information please contact Jasmine Chaitram (zoa6@cdc.gov)
FEMA Strategic Plan
FEMA Releases Strategic Plan For Fiscal Years 2008-2013 - FEMA - April 16
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2013. The plan supports one of the major goals the Secretary of Homeland Security has set for the department: to strengthen the nation's preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The Strategic Plan sets five goals in building a strong and adaptable national emergency management system that better leverages existing national capabilities, emphasizes responsibility for individual preparedness and enhances public and private sector partnerships. To learn more and access the complete planning document, please follow the link below.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema
Rabies
Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2008 - CDC - MMWR Recommendations and Reports - April 18
Although the United States has been declared free of canine rabies virus variant transmission, multiple viral variants are maintained in wild mammal populations, and there is always a risk of reintroduction of canine rabies. All mammals are believed to be susceptible to the disease. The recommendations in this compendium serve as a basis for animal rabies-prevention and -control programs throughout the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions, thereby contributing to an effective national rabies-control program.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5702a1.htm
Seasonal Influenza
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update - April 18
During week 15 (April 6 – 12, 2008), influenza activity continued to decrease in the United States. Three hundred fifty (11.9%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza has been above the epidemic threshold for 14 consecutive weeks. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) and the proportion of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness (ARI) were below national baseline levels. ILI was above the region-specific baseline in one region (New England), while the proportion of outpatient visits reported for ARI was below all region and age-specific baselines. Three states reported widespread influenza activity; four states reported regional influenza activity; 16 states reported local influenza activity; 26 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported sporadic influenza activity; and one state reported no influenza activity.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Weekly US Map - April 18
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
Update: Influenza Activity - United States, September 30, 2007-April 5, 2008, and Composition of the 2008-09 Influenza Vaccine - CDC - MMWR Weekly - April 18
This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity since September 30, 2007, the start of the 2007-08 influenza season, and updates the previous summary. Also included is a link to a CDC Media Briefing concerning this MMWR report.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5715a4.htm
CDC Media Briefing: Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness
Interim Within-Season Estimate of the Effectiveness of Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine - Marshfield, Wisconsin, 2007-08 Influenza Season - CDC - MMWR Weekly - April 18
This report summarizes interim results of a 2008 case-control study to estimate the effectiveness of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine for prevention of medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2007-08 influenza season, when most circulating influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses were suboptimally matched to the vaccine strains. Despite the suboptimal match between two of three vaccine strains and circulating influenza strains, overall vaccine effectiveness in the study population during January 21-February 8, 2008, was 44%. These findings demonstrate that, in any season, assessment of the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccines cannot be determined solely by laboratory evaluation of the degree of antigenic match between vaccine and circulation strains.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5715a1.htm
Avian Influenza
Update on the Situation in Egypt - WHO - April 17
The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has announced a new human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The case is a 2-year-old male from Al-Honsanya, Sharkea Governorate. He developed symptoms on 13 April and was hospitalized on 14 April and is currently in hospital. The case was confirmed as being infected with A(H5N1) by the Central Public Health Laboratories and by Cairo-based US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3). Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a history of contact with sick and dead poultry. Of the 50 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 22 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_04_17/en/index.html
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1- WHO - April 17
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2008_04_17/en/index.html
Pandemic Influenza
At-Risk Populations Project Public Comment Period on Draft Guidance April 15, 2008 – May 15, 2008 - ASTHO - April 16
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has released the draft version of At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments for public comment. Under a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASTHO was asked to develop model guidance on the protection of at-risk populations in an influenza pandemic. Over the past several months, ASTHO performed an extensive review of relevant publications and plans, assembled subject matter expert-led work groups, and convened public and stakeholder engagement meetings to provide key input during the drafting process. This important project will result in the publication of a critical guidance document to assist public health officials in their pandemic influenza planning efforts.
http://www.astho.org/templates/display_pub.php
Travelers' Health
Update: Dengue, Tropical and Subtropical Regions - CDC - April 14
Many countries reported high numbers of dengue infections during 2007. This trend has continued in 2008, notably with the large outbreak currently being reported in Brazil. Proper diagnosis of dengue is important; many other diseases may mimic dengue. Health-care providers should consider dengue, malaria, and (in South Asia and countries bordering the Indian Ocean) chikungunya in the differential diagnosis of patients who have fever and a history of travel to tropical areas during the 2 weeks before symptom onset.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentDengueTropicalSubTropical.aspx
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