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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has raised an alert over the growing risk of dengue outbreaks in the Americas, driven by the spread of the DENV-3 serotype. PAHO is calling on countries to strengthen surveillance, improve early diagnosis, and enhance clinical management to effectively manage the anticipated rise in cases. Learn more about the recommendations and actions being taken.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has issued a health advisory

In this exciting episode of Transmission Interrupted, hosts Lauren Sauer and Rachel Lookadoo welcome you back to their captivating Pathogens in Pop Culture series. This time, they take a deep dive into the fascinating and often surprising intersection of infectious diseases and the world of entertainment, featuring the esteemed Dr. Saskia Popescu as their special guest. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation with a true expert in the field!

A team from Emory’s SCDP recently visited Kinshasa, DRC, to partner with the Ministry of Health in enhancing the country’s infectious disease preparedness. During their trip, the team toured several critical healthcare and research institutions, including the Renaissance University Hospital Center, the Mpox Emergency Operations Center, Kinshasa University Hospital, the National Institute for Biomedical Research, and an Mpox clinical treatment center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued this Health Advisory through the Health Alert Network (HAN) to inform the public about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Uganda, caused by the Sudan virus (species Orthoebolavirus sudanense). This advisory also provides a comprehensive summary of the CDC’s essential recommendations for U.S. public health departments and healthcare clinicians, focusing on the identification of cases, diagnostic testing, and critical biosafety guidelines for clinical laboratories.

Texas Respiratory Illness Interactive Dashboard Updated

Tanzania confirmed a case of Marburg Virus in Kagera on January 20, 2025, marking its second outbreak after the 2023 incident with nine cases and six deaths. Other African countries, including Angola, the DRC, and Uganda, have also reported MVD outbreaks or cases. For more details, check out NETEC's situation report.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged increased efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases such as dengue, scabies, leishmaniasis, and others, which affect over 50 million people in the Region of the Americas. These diseases predominantly impact vulnerable populations with limited access to clean water, basic sanitation, and healthcare services.

After years of effort, Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), joining 45 countries and 1 territory. For decades, Georgia has worked diligently to achieve this milestone."

The Joint Commission Infection Control Standards underwent significant changes, effective July 1, 2024. This comprehensive update marked a major shift in how healthcare facilities approach infection control and preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases. Learn more about key changes, resources, and available support.

Texas Respiratory Illness Interactive Dashboard Updated!

Healthcare experts are strengthening readiness for potential health security threats as North America prepares to host the largest FIFA World Cup in history in June 2026. The National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) recently conducted a national tabletop exercise to address challenges posed by special pathogens during the landmark event.

On January 6, 2025, Louisiana reported the first H5N1-related human death in the U.S., marking the second severe case in North America. The CDC confirmed the virus in Louisiana was the same D1.1 genotype as the case in British Columbia, with potential viral mutations contributing to the severity. Clinical guidance emphasizes early critical care, ECMO, and strict infection prevention measures, while NETEC provides resources for healthcare workers on H5N1 management and prevention.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched an interactive dashboard to track avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks in humans, birds, and mammals across the Americas. This tool provides key data for public and animal health authorities to monitor and respond to potential zoonotic transmission, with a moderate public health risk assessment for Latin America and the Caribbean. For real-time updates and more information, visit the PAHO interactive dashboard.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' ASPR and Project ECHO have launched a program to create peer-to-peer learning networks for clinicians to share experiences and challenges in emergency care. Sessions cover emergent topics in emergency preparedness, as well as those requested by participants.

Following a confirmed H5N1 case in Texas in March 2024 and additional cases across the U.S., the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has initiated enhanced flu surveillance to detect human H5N1 cases. Healthcare providers are urged to subtype influenza A specimens, with public health laboratories available for assistance. Providers should also consider collecting additional specimens for PCR testing and subtyping and send unsorted specimens to public health labs for further identification.