(CIDRAP News) – The necessity for good communication among the many parts of the healthcare system was a major theme today in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teleconference on planning for public health emergencies.
Editor's note: This story was revised Sep 1 to reflect a recent change in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's position on mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare workers.
(CIDRAP News) A West Nile virus (WNV) seroprevalence study of Italian organ donors revealed that 1.2% of 1,248 serum samples were positive and that some of the donors who had been exposed to the virus were from regions where infection wasn't thought to be a risk.
(CIDRAP News) Researchers studying facial personal protective equipment (PPE) data at three Vancouver hospitals found that use of surgical masks and N-95 respirators during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was seven times greater than earlier supply estimates and tested the plans hospitals had in place.
(CIDRAP News) The recently reported factor that can make gram-negative bacteria resistant to nearly all antibiotics is a serious concern but does not necessarily top the list of resistance worries for healthcare in the United States, say two antimicrobial resistance experts who discussed the threat this week.
(CIDRAP News) In light of vaccine production problems that delayed the delivery of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, a report by President Barack Obama's science advisers released today said targeted investments in five specific areas could trim the time needed to quickly produce enough to protect the nation by weeks or months.
(CIDRAP News) Federal health officials, in releasing today a blueprint for overhauling the nation's civilian biodefense program, called for increased government partnerships with the private sector and a number of innovative steps to boost the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) that have little or no commercial market.
Note: Substantial material was added to this article at 6:15 p.m. US Central Time on the WHO's pandemic response and the role of public health going forward.
(CIDRAP News) The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) today declared the H1N1 influenza pandemic over, saying worldwide flu activity has returned to typical seasonal patterns and many people have immunity to the virus.
(CIDRAP News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging healthcare providers to be alert for influenza cases, following the reporting of two small outbreaks of influenza A/H3N2 in Iowa and scattered H3N2 cases in 11 other states.
