COCA Email Updates: October 7 - October 21, 2013

Available for download:October 21, 2013, COCA Email Update

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COCA News and Announcements

Recent COCA Call/Webinar

Protecting Children at Highest Risk for Influenza Complications

Date:Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Children with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders, are at higher risk for influenza-associated complications. Using antiviral therapies early and aggressively in these vulnerable children can lessen the impact of influenza infection. Clinicians have a critical role in taking action to immunize these children and their close contacts. During this COCA Call, subject matter experts from CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics will discuss strategies that primary care providers and medical subspecialists can use in partnership with parents to improve influenza prevention and control in children at highest risk.

= Continuing Education

Additional COCA Conference Calls
Free CE credit/contact hours (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, CECH, and AAVSB/RACE) are available for most COCA calls.

CDC News and Announcements

CDC Science Clips: Volume 5, Issue: 35 – (CDC)
Each week select science clips are shared with the public health community to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

Public Health Preparedness

NEW:Public Health Matters Blog: Do 1 Thing: Be Informed – September 26 (CDC)
Getting correct information during an emergency is critical to making the right decisions. There are many ways to stay informed, from staying connected to information from local authorities to knowing how your community alerts residents of dangerous situations. Make sure your family can receive, understand, and act on information in an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness and Response – (CDC)
Find resources for All Hazards and Specific Hazards preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Training Resources for Clinicians – (CDC)
Find online and in-person training centers and resources.

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

NEW:Hurricane Health and Safety Tips: Prepare to Evacuate – October 17 (CDC)
Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. Follow the instructions on this page to prepare for evacuation and then to safely evacuate or get through the storm if ordered not to evacuate.

Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency – (CDC)

Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters – (CDC)

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR publications are prepared by the CDC. Electronically Subscribe

October 18, 2013 / Vol. 62 / No. 41Download .pdf document of this issue

• Availability of an Assay for Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Including Rifampin-Resistant Strains, and Considerations for Its Use — United States, 2013

October 11, 2013 / Vol. 62 / No. 40Download .pdf document of this issue

• Notes from the Field: Acute Hepatitis and Liver Failure Following the Use of a Dietary Supplement Intended for Weight Loss or Muscle Building — May-October 2013

October 4, 2013 / Vol. 62 / No. 39Download .pdf document of this issue

• Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a High School and School-Based Supervision of an Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen for Preventing Tuberculosis — Colorado, 2011–2012
• Estimating Meningitis Hospitalization Rates for Sentinel Hospitals Conducting Invasive Bacterial Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance
• Announcements: Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit Released

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Update:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) – October 18 (CDC)
A novel coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the cause of respiratory illness in people. Investigations are being done to figure out the source of MERS-CoV and how it spreads.

Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

Update:Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus – October 21 (CDC)
Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus continue to be reported in China. The virus has been detected in poultry in China as well. While mild illness in human cases has been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness and some people have died. No cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the United States.

Seasonal Influenza

Weekly Flu View – October 12 (CDC)
This is a weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by CDC Influenza Division. All data are preliminary and may change as CDC receives more reports.

Planning and Preparedness: Health Professionals and Seasonal Flu – (HHS)
Health care providers play an important role during flu season. The following guidance and information will assist health care providers and service organizations to plan and respond to seasonal flu.

Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings – October 11 (US Department of State)
Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

Food, Drug and Device Safety

NEW:Multistate Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Heidelberg Infections Linked to Foster Farms Brand Chicken – October 18 (CDC)
As of October 17, 2013, a total of 338 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 20 states and Puerto Rico.

NEW:CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): CDC Health Advisory: Acute Hepatitis and Liver Failure Following the Use of a Dietary Supplement Intended for Weight Loss or Muscle Building – October 8 (CDC)
Recently, a number of previously healthy individuals developed acute hepatitis and sudden liver failure of unknown cause after using a dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building. CDC recommends increased vigilance by public health agencies, emergency departments, and healthcare providers for patients who develop acute hepatitis or liver failure following use of a weight loss or muscle building nutritional supplement. CDC requests that state health departments report such occurrences to the CDC. CDC also recommends that, as part of a comprehensive evaluation, clinicians evaluating patients with acute hepatitis should ask about consumption of dietary supplements.

NEW:Multistate outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections linked to pomegranate seeds from Turkey – September 23 (CDC)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections.

MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program – (HHS/USFDA)
Your FDA gateway for clinically important safety information and reporting serious problems with human medical products.

FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – (HHS/UDSA/FDA/CDC/NIH)
For recalls and alerts by both FDA and USDA, or to report a problem or make inquiries.