September 18, 2018

RESEARCH

Notes from the Field: Enterovirus A71 Neurologic Disease in Children - Colorado, 2018. On May 10, 2018, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was notified by Children's Hospital Colorado of an increase in pediatric cases of meningitis and encephalitis in which patients tested positive for enterovirus.  (MMWR, 9/14/18)

PRESS RELEASE

NSF, NIEHS Award $30 Million for New Research on Links Among Oceans, Lakes and Human Health. To study the effects of harmful algae blooms and other ocean and Great Lakes pathogens, the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, have awarded new grants totaling $30 million. The grants fund research on ecosystems in the oceans and in the Great Lakes Basin.  (NSF, 9/13/18)

PRESS RELEASE

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, and Center for Devices and Radiological Health Director Jeff Shuren, MD, JD, on Agency Efforts to Work With Tech Industry to Spur Innovation in Digital Health. Recent product approvals and clearances have given consumers and providers access to powerful technologies that have the potential to advance the delivery of health care.  (FDA, 9/12/18)

PRESS RELEASE

Seven States Now Report Obesity At or Above 35 Percent. CDC today released new data on self-reported adult obesity prevalence for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The 2017 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps show that adult obesity across the country remains high and differs by race, ethnicity, and education.  (CDC, 9/12/18)

NEWS

Phase 1 Human Clinical Trials Begin on Antimalarial Drug. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in conjunction with the Duke University School of Medicine, has begun enrolling for a Phase 1 clinical trial of a new antimalarial drug and its efficacy in humans.  (Homeland Preparedness News, 9/12/18)

PRESS RELEASE

USAID Partners with US Universities to Fight Global Hunger. The United States Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green announced the expansion of research partnerships with US universities to develop and deploy solutions to address global agricultural challenges and help end hunger.  (USAID, 9/12/18)

MEETING

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. The September 26, 2018, public meeting will be dedicated to the Advisory Council's deliberation and vote of the Infection Prevention and Stewardship Working Group's draft report with recommendations, in addition to other topic areas surrounding antibiotic-resistance and One Health.  (HHS.gov, 9/18)

REPORT

Public Health Surveillance: Preparing for the Future. CDC's goal for federally supported surveillance activities is to get the right information into the right hands at the right time. A strategic plan to improve surveillance at CDC was launched in February 2014 to better achieve this goal.  (CDC, 9/18)

PRESS RELEASE

CDC activates Emergency Operations Center for Hurricane Florence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate 24/7 all CDC activities for public health needs before, during, and after Hurricane Florence, including the deployment of resources and personnel, as requested.  (CDC, 9/12/18)

See Also:  More than 7,000 Service Members 'Leaning Forward' to Aid Fellow Citizens (DOD, 9/13/18).

See Also:  OCR Issues Guidance to Help Ensure Equal Access to Emergency Services and the Appropriate Sharing of Medical Information During Hurricane Florence (HHS, 9/13/18).

PRESS RELEASE

USAID Supports Hurricane Preparedness Efforts in the Caribbean. USAID is announcing additional support to help the Caribbean prepare for, and respond to, major storms and hurricanes. The Agency is stockpiling reinforced plastic sheeting in the Caribbean, and training local disaster officials how to use the material to construct safe and secure temporary shelters.  (USAID, 9/13/18)

PRESS RELEASE

As Florence Approaches, Barrasso and Carper Highlight Provisions in Major Water Infrastructure Bill to Help Communities Better Prepare and Recover from Extreme Weather Events. The America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, co-authored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), the Chairman and Ranking Member on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and agreed upon this week by congressional negotiators, includes key provisions that will strengthen coastal readiness and responsiveness to severe storms.  (US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 9/13/18)

NEWS

DARPA Wants to Find Botnets Before They Attack. The military's research branch is investing in systems that automatically locate and dismantle botnets before hackers use them to cripple websites, companies or even entire countries.  (Defense One, 9/12/18)

PRESS RELEASE

FEMA Awards More than $412 Million in Additional Federal Grants for Puerto Rico. FEMA awarded more than $412 million in Public Assistance grants for Hurricane María recovery in Puerto Rico. The funds cover expenses for emergency protective measures, debris removal and for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Pilot Program.  (FEMA, 9/12/18)

WEBINAR

POD Essentials Train-the-Trainer - September 2018. POD Essentials is an engaging, introductory-level course designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for staff and volunteers new to working in a point of dispensing (POD) site during a public health emergency.  (NACCHO, 9/18)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Now Accepting Abstracts for the 2019 Preparedness Summit. NACCHO, in coordination with the Preparedness Summit Planning Committee, invites your agency to contribute to the advancement of our national health security by submitting an abstract for the 2019 Preparedness Summit. Now more than ever, the public health preparedness community must come together to discover new and creative solutions to address evolving threats like pandemic diseases, the opioid crisis, active shooter emergencies, and security threats.  (NACCHO, 9/18)

ANNOUNCEMENT

Public Health Emergencies: Unpacking Medical Countermeasures Management for Preparedness and Response. A Supplement issue in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) features a selection of articles that focus on emergency medical countermeasures. Specifically, AJPH highlights research regarding mass vaccination programs, pandemic influenza preparedness, training during public health emergencies, and education of elderly patients. External funding for this supplement was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (AJPH, 9/18)

NEWS

NRC Expands Nuclear Power Plant Monitoring During Hurricane Florence. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will staff its incident response center in Atlanta around the clock beginning this evening as it expands its monitoring of Hurricane Florence and its effects on nuclear power plants and other NRC-licensed facilities.  

PRESS RELEASE

Hearing Statement of Ranking Member Carper: Advanced Nuclear Technology: Safety and Associated Benefits of Licensing Accident Tolerant Fuels for Commercial Nuclear Reactors. Today, the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held the hearing, "Advanced Nuclear Technology: Safety and Associated Benefits of Licensing Accident Tolerant Fuels for Commercial Nuclear Reactors.  (US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 9/13/18)

PRESS RELEASE

House Approves the National Quantum Initiative Act. The House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation today that will leverage the expertise and resources of US industry, academia, and government to move Quantum Information Science to the next level of research and development.  (House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, 9/13/18)

PRESS RELEASE

House Approves Legislation Prioritizing Research and Innovation at the Department of Energy. The bill, which is the first comprehensive authorization for Office of Science programs, facilitates government-industry partnerships, streamlines national lab management, and establishes research priorities for the Office of Science.  (House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, 9/13/18)

This Week's Hearings

Reducing Health Care Costs: Improving Affordability Through Innovation. US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. 9/27/18, 10 AM. Dirksen Senate Office Building, 430. More