COCA Email Updates: April 04-11, 2011

COCA News and Announcements

Upcoming COCA Webinar: State Level Pediatric Emergency Preparedness
Date: April 20, 2011
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Children are extremely vulnerable during disaster situations. States play a critical role in the recovery of pediatric health following a disaster, and should have appropriate “All- Hazards” emergency preparedness plans that address the unique needs of pediatrics. During this COCA conference call subject matter experts will discuss gaps in pediatric preparedness and national recommendations aimed to improve pediatric emergency preparedness at the state level.
Listen to our COCA Podcast on this topic

Upcoming COCA Webinar: Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals
Date: April 21, 2011
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern Time)
The convergence of people, animals, and our environment has created a new dynamic in which the health of each group is inextricably interconnected. Disease outbreaks associated with animals in public settings have been increasingly reported in recent years. Join us for this COCA call where subject matter experts will discuss the importance of public health reporting of clusters of illness associated with animals in public settings, review CDC and National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians recommendations to minimize associated disease and injury risks related to animals contact.

COCA Conference Call Resources
Archived COCA Conference Calls are available on the COCA website. Free CE credit/contact hours (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, and CECH) are available for most COCA calls. Download the slides and follow along with the audio file, both of which are posted on the COCA website after a call.

COCA Home Page

Current CDC Emergency Response

Radiation Air Monitoring - EPA (April 11)

Radiation Safety – FDA (April 7)
Questions about Food Safety

Japan 2011 Earthquake/Tsunami – US Government Sources (Apr 7)

Japan 2011 Earthquake/Tsunami Radiation Issues – CDC
This resource contains links to pages that address concerns related to the radiation released by nuclear power plants as a result of damage caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Mar 21 COCA Call Resources – CDC
Audio and Transcript for the March 21, 2011 COCA Call, 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: Interim Guidance for Clinicians Caring for Travelers are available for download.

2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami – CDC
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan preceded a series of tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean on March 11, causing massive loss of life and damage in Japan and claiming 5 lives on the US Pacific coast. This page provides information on public health issues related to tsunamis as well as information specific to the ongoing response to the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation emergency in Japan.

Tsunami-Related Information for Healthcare Professionals – CDC
Resources for healthcare professionals addressing disease and health information, mental health, travel advice, and guidance for evaluating travelers returning from tsunami-affected areas.

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Expedited Article

Vibrio cholerae in Traveler from Haiti to Canada – CDC (Apr 4)
This article was posted after publication of the April EID. In Canada, the province of Québec has a large Haitian immigrant population. A case of V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa was reported in Canada related to the outbreak in Haiti. It was diagnosed in Montréal, Québec, on January 5, 2011.
Current Issue of EID

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR series is prepared by the CDC. The following emergency preparedness and response-related articles of interest were recently published:

April 8, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 13 Download .pdf of this Issue
To electronically subscribe to the MMWR, go to MMWR Subscriptions and enter your email address in the box entitled Get email updates.

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Summary of Weekly Flu View – CDC (Apr 8)
Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity has been decreasing in the United States in recent weeks, however, influenza viruses continue to circulate and cause illness nationwide.

Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Associated with Contact with Water Frogs – CDC (Apr 7)
As of April 5, 2011, a total of 217 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 41 states since April 1, 2009. These infections are associated with contact with water frogs, specifically, African dwarf frogs.

Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update – CDC (Apr 5)
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.

Antimicrobial Resistance – CDC (Apr 4)
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health threats Discussion and resources for patients and clinicians for prevention of this widespread health threat.

Travelers’ Health

Current Travel Warnings – US Department of State (Apr 3)
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, 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.

Food & Drug Safety

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Hadar Infections Associated with Turkey Burgers – CDC (Apr 4)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in states and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Hadar infections. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Hadar is resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alert – FDA (Apr 8)
For information on recent FDA recalls, market recalls, and safety alerts.

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