News archive: Jun
Friday, June 26, 2015
Travel Update – Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
According to the World Health Organization, there were 20 confirmed cases of EVD reported in the week leading up to 21 June, 2015; 12 cases from Guinea and 8 cases from Sierra Leone. In those two countries, cases continue to be identified without a known source of infection, including those identified from post-mortem testing of community deaths. The last case of EVD in Liberia was confirmed on March 20, 2015.
Travel Update -- Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
As of June 24, the World Health Organization is reporting 179 cases of MERS-CoV, including 27 deaths from a large outbreak in Korea and China. Persons must meet one of the following criteria (A OR B OR C) to be considered for testing for MERS-CoV:
Thursday, June 25, 2015
The National Association of EMS Educators EMS Instructor Course Level 1
The National Association of EMS Educators, in partnership with Ohio Valley Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, will host a Level 1 EMS Instructor Course from July 17 to July 19, 2015. Enrollment is limited to 50 participants. The cost is $295 for NAEMSE members, and $395 for non-members.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Updated Information and Guidelines for Evaluation of Patients for MERS-CoV Infection
The purpose of this HAN Advisory is to provide updated guidance to state health departments and healthcare providers in the evaluation of patients for MERS-CoV infection, which have been revised in light of the current situation in the Republic of Korea. Healthcare providers and public health officials should maintain awareness of the need to consider MERS-CoV infection in ill persons who have recently traveled from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Transportation Rail Incident Preparedness & Response: Flammable Liquid Unit Trains
The Transportation Rail Incident Preparedness and Response Flammable Liquid Unit Trains resource materials provide critical information on best practices related to rail incidents involving Hazard Class 3 flammable liquids such as petroleum crude oil and ethanol. A key component of this initiative is to learn from past experiences and to leverage the expertise of public safety agencies, rail carriers, and industry subject matter experts in order to prepare first responders to safely manage rail incidents involving commodities such as crude oil and ethanol. The information and resources found in the TRIPR modules and scenarios supplement the information outlined in the “Commodities Preparedness and Incident Management Reference Sheet for Petroleum Crude Oil.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Ciprofloxacin- and Azithromycin-Nonsusceptible Shigellosis in the United States
CDC continues to receive new reports of infections with Shigella strains that are not susceptible to ciprofloxacin and/or azithromycin, the antimicrobial agents most commonly used to treat shigellosis. Most cases have been reported among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as MSM) in Illinois, Minnesota, and Montana and among international travelers, but cases are also occurring among other populations. Shigellosis is very contagious and can spread quickly through communities and across different segments of the population.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
press release announcing the EMS Compass Initiative's upcoming series of webinars on June 15 – 18
EMS Compass, a national initiative to improve systems of care though meaningful performance measurement, will host a series of webinars June 15‐18, 2015. The webinars are the best way for members of the EMS community and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the quality and performance measures topics under consideration for further development and testing.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY - Avian Influenza
Highly-pathogenic avian influenza A H5 viruses have been identified in birds in the United States since December 2014. The purpose of CDC HAN Advisory is to notify public health workers and clinicians of the potential for human infection with these viruses and to describe CDC recommendations for patient investigation and testing, infection control including the use personal protective equipment, and antiviral treatment and prophylaxis.