Infectious Diseases


WHO Committee: MERS Not Yet an Emergency of International Concern

May 13’s decision took place at the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. WHO's statement says the committee members did agree their concern about the situation has significantly increased, given the recent spike in cases.

Harvard School of Public Health Snags CDC's Director as Commencement Speaker

Dr. Tom Frieden, M.D., MPH, will be the speaker at its commencement ceremonies May 29.

The lack of standards and key information about the interface -- where the gowns and gloves meet at the wearer

NIOSH, Partners Researching Effectiveness of Isolation Gowns

ASTM has formed a task group to develop a specification standard for them, Selcen Kilinc-Balci, a physical scientist for NIOSH's National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, reported on the agency’s Science Blog.

WHO Issues Updated MERS-CoV Risk Assessment

As many as 75 percent of the recent cases are secondary infections -- meaning individuals who became infected through contact with another person. Most of these are health care workers who became infected at work.

The CDC recommendations include tips for safe transportation, personal safety, vaccinations, and over-the-counter medications during the tournament in Brazil.

CDC Offers 2014 World Cup Travel Tips

Vaccinations, avoiding mosquitoes, and choosing safe transportation are some of its recommendations.

WHO Issues First Guidance for Treating HCV

It coincides with recent medical breakthroughs that have made more effective, safer oral hepatitis medicines available.

Amid Ebola Epidemic, WHO Delivers PPE for Guinea Health Workers

The geographic spread of cases so far, including in Conakry, the country's capital, makes this an unprecedented outbreak.

Airborne pathogens are highly contagious.

Keeping Pathogens Out of the Workplace

Airborne pathogens are not only highly contagious, but also they can put a workforce completely out for weeks at a time.



HHS to Announce Updated Plan on Viral Hepatitis

HHS officials including Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh, M.D., MPH, will participate in a launch event April 3 for the 2014-2016 update of the agency's Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.

The rule will require employers to notify OSHA of work-related fatalities within eight hours and work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or an employee

200 U.S. HAI Deaths Every Day: CDC

Two new reports, including one published in the New England Journal of Medicine, outline the national scope of the problem of health care-acquired infections.

WHO Hails Success in Diagnosing MDR-TB

In conjunction with this year’s World TB Day, the agency reports 27 countries are making good progress in diagnosing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Employers must have a written program outlining employees

NIOSH Considering Respirator Approval Process Changes

A new request for information and comments asks whether health care end users want requirements and tests in the process to parallel those in FDA's clearance process for surgical N95 respirators.

$80 Million Given to GWU to Advance Disease Prevention, Wellness

The institution's Board of Trustees has approved the renaming its School of Public Health and Health Services as the Milken Institute School of Public Health and also creation of the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness.

State health commissioners continue to urge Americans who haven

California's 2013-14 Flu Deaths Reach 318

The 318 confirmed deaths statewide tripled the total number of flu deaths during the 2012-13 season, when 106 were reported.

Thousands of SF Transit Riders Warned of Measles Exposure

The Bay Area Rapid Transit agency and Contra Costa Health Services say anyone who used the transit system from Tuesday, Feb. 4 to Friday, Feb. 7 during the morning commute hours and late evening may have been exposed to measles.

California Passes 200 Flu Deaths This Season

The total statewide was 202 as of Feb. 7, and 41 other deaths are under investigation but not yet confirmed as influenza-related. During the entire 2012-2013 flu season, there were 106 flu deaths in California.

Americans who travel to Sochi for these games should be vaccinated and plan ahead for a safe trip, according to CDC.

CDC Offers Travel Tips for Sochi Olympics Visitors

A CNN report indicates the high cost of travel, hotels, and food is limiting the number of Americans who travel to Sochi for these games. Those who go should be vaccinated and plan ahead for a safe trip, according to CDC.

Not Ready for Prime Time

The report says the estimated cost of infectious diseases in the United States exceeds $120 billion annually.

This photograph of a laboratory worker wearing protective gear is included in the CDC report. (CDC image)

CDC Supporting Public Health Agencies Nationwide

The agency has issued a report summarizing its activities and investments in 2012 and 2013 to help local agencies prepare for and respond to public health threats.

China Moves to High Alert for H7N9 Bird Flu

The Xinhua news agency reported China has banned trading of live birds in some regions as the number of infections and deaths has increased.

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