NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NETEC held a special pathogen training for lab staff, combining virtual lessons on infectious disease protocols with hands-on practice in PPE use, spill response, and lab safety.

The “Prepared to Respond Together” webinar emphasized the importance of constant readiness, cross-sector collaboration, and health equity in emergency response. National initiatives like NETEC and the NSPS were highlighted as key models for strengthening infectious disease preparedness through training and coordination. Learn more about how these efforts are building a more resilient health system.

A measles outbreak in West Texas, fueled by misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, has led to the use of unproven treatments over the proven MMR vaccine. Many experts warn that promoting these alternatives puts lives at risk and undermines public trust in effective prevention.

Africa CDC and WHO have updated their Continental Response Plan as mpox spreads to 28 countries, with the DRC at the epicenter and Africa bearing the highest burden. Despite progress in vaccination and testing, conflict and a major funding gap threaten efforts—read more to learn about the response and how to support it.

Switzerland has confirmed its first case of clade 1b mpox in a traveler returning from Africa, according to UNMC's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). The more virulent clade 1b is currently driving an outbreak in central Africa, with most cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Free, self-paced online courses (1–3 hours) from the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) are available to all Texas residents, covering a variety of public health topics to support lifelong learning and community resilience.

In the latest Transmission Interrupted episode, featuring UTMB’s Dr. Laura Dickson, Jill Morgan and Dr. Henry Wu share crucial spring break health tips, including preventing mosquito-borne diseases and practicing food and water safety. Tune in for essential advice to stay healthy.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has launched statewide fever screenings after a two-year-old girl died from the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking India's second death from the virus. The girl developed symptoms after eating raw chicken on February 27 and passed away on March 16 despite treatment at AIIMS Mangalagiri.

Over two days, the WHO conducted Exercise Polaris with over 15 countries and 20+ partners to test a new global health emergency coordination mechanism. The exercise assessed the WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), which aims to strengthen emergency workforces, coordinate surge teams, and enhance international collaboration, through a simulation of a fictional virus outbreak.

Learn key strategies for ensuring effective respiratory protection and compliance with OSHA guidelines by reading more [here]. Stay informed on best practices for fit testing, training, and building a culture of safety in your healthcare facility.

Listen in to learn how to protect yourself from tropical diseases, which vaccines you may need, essential travel precautions, and when to seek medical attention after your trip. Subscribe to catch the next episode of Transmission Interrupted!

The NETEC webinar highlighted TJC standards for acute care and critical access facilities, focusing on PPE for respiratory pathogens and viral hemorrhagic fevers. Smaller facilities were encouraged to adapt available resources, with an emphasis on hands-on training for PPE competency. For more details, read the full webinar recap.

The CDC updates on ongoing dengue risk in the U.S., especially in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with travel increasing the risk of cases. The CDC recommends using the DENV-1-4 RT-PCR assay for suspected cases and provides new resources for public health professionals.

Hantaviruses, primarily transmitted through rodents’ body fluids and excrement, can be contracted through inhaling contaminated air, with some strains, like the Andes virus, spreading person-to-person, making it crucial for clinicians to stay informed about the disease’s risks, symptoms, and treatment—check out NETEC's latest blog for more.

Valuable insights are shared on the new Joint Commission requirements, strategies for strengthening facility preparedness for special pathogens, and best practices for training healthcare staff in this episode of NETEC's Transmission Interrupted."

The CDC is issuing a Health Advisory on a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, with 208 cases and two deaths as of March 7, 2025. More cases are expected. Clinicians and officials are urged to follow prevention guidelines. Read the full advisory for more information.

Discover how the SPECTRE program is training nursing students in biocontainment, PPE use, outbreak response, and infection prevention for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) in our latest blog.

The Measles 101 Town Hall with Dr. Susan McLellan, MD, MPH, Director of SPECTRE at UTMB, provided valuable insights on measles symptoms, the infectious period, and how both healthcare providers and the public can help combat the disease. Don't miss this opportunity to listen to expert advice on prevention and response—tune in now to stay informed!

The FY24 Annual Report from NETEC highlights the organization's ongoing commitment to national health security and preparedness for special pathogens.

NETEC’s webinar on “Bolivian and Argentine Hemorrhagic Fevers” (December 8, 2023) highlights the public health challenges posed by these diseases and the need for preparedness to protect global and national health security.