The Silicon Review’s Post

We need better surveillance and evidence-based place-based planning

I think this H5N1 is now of great concern. Since the symptoms are mild, (only eye symptoms) this is only partly good news. Maybe it is underreported as symptoms are mild, and is spreading more than we can see. WHO already identified surveillance gaps. Also, H5N1 already mutated in the udder of US cows in that way that it now can attache to human airway receptors. We need to implementatie the lessons learned from the Covid pandemic with ultrafast speed. https://lnkd.in/egVBndMz

Farmworkers remain the highest risk group for exposure—on #WorldMentalHealthDay, let’s also consider how the tension between protection (masks, face shields, etc) and work functions can create stress for workers—and what we can do to help empower them to stay safe, keep their jobs, do the work they need to do, and protect their families. The answer goes far beyond just PPE. As California bird flu outbreak worsens, a Missouri patient who caught it is alarming experts https://lnkd.in/eEsuuQJB

A recent #APHAscience blog covers the role of the scanning surveillance programme in the investigation or high mortality in swans: “What happened in a canal in Uxbridge”. #surveillance

🆕 We are pleased to share one of our latest publications.    Systematic literature review and meta-analysis on preventing and controlling norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, 1990 to 2020: calling for behaviour change strategies of #travellers   📃The #purpose of this study was to #assess prevention and control measures implemented during norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships and to identify risk factors contributing to outbreaks and modes of #transmission, by systematically reviewing published outbreak reports.A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate attack rates of norovirus #outbreaks and identify risk factors. 💡The #findings indicate a need for behavioral #interventions to improve personal hygiene, symptom reporting and compliance with isolation measures, and for reconsidering current isolation policies where symptomatic and #healthy individuals are isolated in the same cabin. Varvara (Barbara) A. Mouchtouri Barbara Mouchtouri, Evangelia Simou, Sotiris soteriadis, Xanthoula Rousou, katerina-maria kontouli, Dimitra Kafetsouli, Leonidas Kourentis, Lemonia Anagnostopoulos, Christos Hadjichristodoulou Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/diXNnSMm  

The CDC is actively responding to the multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1), or “H5N1 bird flu,” affecting dairy cows and other animals in the United States. So far, there have been four human cases of A(H5) infection linked to this outbreak in U.S. dairy cows. Based on current information, the CDC's health risk assessment for the general public remains low. On the animal health front, the USDA reports that 151 dairy cow herds across 12 states have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1). The number of affected herds continues to rise. #PublicHealth #CDC #USDA #H5N1 #AvianInfluenza #HealthSafety #AnimalHealth #CBRNScience

🔬 Public Health Concerns in Queensland: Missing Virus Samples from Research Lab In a recent announcement, the Queensland government revealed that over 300 virus samples, including the deadly Hendra virus and lyssavirus, have gone missing from a research lab. The Hendra virus, a zoonotic pathogen primarily found in Australia, poses significant risks to humans and animals, while lyssavirus is linked to rabies—a fatal disease. The samples were reportedly lost due to a malfunction in an ultra-cold freezer, raising critical questions about lab safety and biosecurity measures. Although authorities assure there is no immediate public threat, the incident highlights the urgent need for robust protocols to handle such dangerous materials. Investigations are underway to determine how this breach occurred. #Biosecurity #PublicHealth #ResearchSafety

It's #Friday at 4pm and the phone rings. Your faculty’s food services director calls you to say a food handler tested positive for norovirus, but they are short-staffed for the weekend and want to know if they can keep working with gloves on. What do you do, #IP? **Disclaimer:** The scenarios presented in "Critical Choices: The Infection Preventionist's 4pm Friday Predicament Series" are fictional and intended for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to real situations, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. These scenarios do not reflect actual cases or circumstances. #infectionprevention #patientsafety #infectioncontrol #healthcarescenarios #HRO #challenge #healthcareethics #healthcareleadership #ethics

This is an important report. The actions we promote to improve outbreak surveillance and response _really work!_ Thanks to all the folks at Resolve To Save Lives for highlighting this reality.

NETEC has released a new downloadable planning tool for Decedent Management. Viruses from deceased viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) patients can spread in postmortem care settings through direct handling of human remains without proper PPE and via splashes of body fluids on unprotected mucosa. Use this tool when planning for decedent management related to confirmed or suspected VHF cases. The document will walk you through developing a plan including: ✔️Communication ✔️Safety Measures ✔️Postmortem Care and Preparation Check out the NETEC Decedent Management planning tool at the link below. https://ow.ly/qOjI50REJQp #NETEC #NSPS #SpecialPathogens #InfectiousDisease #InfectionPrevention #HealthCare #HealthCareWorker National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center