COCA Email Updates: September 12 - October 11, 2011

Additional Resources

CDC Emergency on Twitter
CDC Health Partners Outreach Facebook Page
COCA Home Page

COCA News and Announcements

COCA Calls/Webinars Available Online – CE Credit Available
Archived COCA Conference Calls are available on the COCA Web site. Free CE credit/contact hours (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, and CECH) are available for most COCA calls.

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CDC News and Announcements

CDC Science Clips – October 4
This series features top scientific articles, selected on the basis of potential for population impact and practical implementation. Preparedness and response highlights in this issue include:

Immunity and Immunization

Increases in vaccination coverage of healthcare personnel following institutional requirements for influenza vaccination: a national survey of US hospitals
Development of DENVax: A chimeric dengue-2 PDK-53-based tetravalent vaccine for protection against dengue fever

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Public Health Preparedness

National Strategic Plan for Public Health Preparedness and Response – October 3 (CDC)
Led by Dr. Ali S. Khan and the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, preparedness leaders internal and external to CDC have collaboratively developed the plan. The plan is a guide for CDC, the entire public health system, and its stakeholders to secure the health of the nation and attain the plan’s collective 2020 vision of "people’s health protected – public health secured."

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

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

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Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Urges Heightened Preparedness Against Variant Avian Influenza Strain
FAO recently urged heightened readiness and surveillance against a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza amid signs that a mutant strain of the deadly Bird Flu virus is spreading in Asia and beyond, with unpredictable risks to human health.

Changing Climate and Public Health (CDC)
The changing climate endangers human health, affecting all parts of society. Scientists and public health experts are studying how quickly and how much the climate is changing, and ways in which humans can adapt to these changes.

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather (CDC)
This page links to resources for various hazards, and includes information for various groups for preparation, response, and recovery.

American Red Cross Shelter and Messaging Service (ARC)
Users of this site can find information about shelters, search the registry for missing persons, or post their own condition and location to reconnect with family.

Coping with Traumatic Events (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides perspectives on emotional and mental strain that traumatic events such as powerful storms and floods can have.

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Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID)

EID is prepared by the CDC. Vol 17, Number 10 – October 2011

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR weekly reports and publications are prepared by the CDC. To electronically subscribe, go to Subscribe to MMWR.

2011 Online Issues
October 7, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 39 Download .pdf of this Issue

September 30, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 38 Download PDF of this Issue

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Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Weekly Flu View – October 7 (CDC)
During week 37, 6.0% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to pneumonia and influenza. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 6.4% for week 37.

Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update – September 30 (CDC)
This report is a summary of key influenza-related updates created from regional World Health Organization (WHO) reports, country reports, CDC field staff updates, and other sources. Updates are listed by region.

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Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings – October 4 (US Department of State)
Currently, travel warnings are in effect for 33 countries. 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, or 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.

Healthy Travel with Kids – September 26
Parents traveling overseas with children should know health risks and how to avoid them.

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Food, Drug and Device Safety

Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, CO – October 7 (CDC)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, including Colorado, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of listeriosis.

CDC Listeriosis Page
CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases provides outbreak updates, Listeria Initiative news, and describes people at risk for complications and death.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Network – October 7
Consumer Safety Information on the Recalled Whole Cantaloupes by Jensen Farms
Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/default.htm

FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – October 6 (HHS/UDSA/FDA/CDC/NIH)
For recalls and alerts by both FDA and USDA, or to report a problem or make inquiries.

Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Heidelberg Infections Linked to Ground Turkey – September 29 (CDC)
As of September 29, 129 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 34 states.

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The CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.

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