COCA Email Updates: January 19 – January 31 2011

COCA On-Demand Training

COCA Conference Call(s) Resources
Archived COCA Conference Calls are available on the COCA website . You can get FREE CE credit/contact hours (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, and CECH) for most COCA calls! Simply download the PowerPoint and follow along with the audio file, both of which are posted on the COCA website after a call. Our most recent calls include:

H1N1 & Seasonal Influenza Resources

Flu View -- 2010-2011 Influenza Season Week 3 ending January 22, 2011 – CDC (Jan 28)
During week 3 (January 16-22, 2011), influenza activity in the United States increased. U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Respiratory and the Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) reported that of the 5,823 specimens collected, 1,754 (30.1%) of the specimens tested positive for influenza.

Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update – CDC (Jan 27)
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.

UPDATE: 2010-2011 Influenza Antiviral Medications: A Summary for Clinicians – CDC (Jan 24)
A summary of the 2010-2011 influenza antiviral recommendations for clinicians.

It’s not too late to vaccinate – Get your flu vaccine today! – CDC (Jan 21)
Late Season Flu Matte article

Self-Reported Influenza-Like Illness During the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic – United States, September 2009-March 2010 – CDC (Jan 21)
Average monthly percentages of self-reported influenza-like illness were calculated from data collected during a state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged ≥18 years.

Video: Antiviral Treatment of Influenza: The Latest Guidelines – CDC/Medscape (Jan 20)
Video from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Expert Commentary featuring Alicia M. Fry, MD, MPH a physician with CDC's Influenza Division.

Antiviral Agents for the Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – CDC (Jan 20)
This report contains information on treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza virus infection and provides a summary of the effectiveness and safety of antiviral treatment medications.

H1N1 Flu and Public Health Guidance Documents

Haiti Cholera Outbreak

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog post – CDC (Jan 26)
New post on the Public Health Matters blog on "Haiti Cholera Response: Stories from the Field, Part 2."

Cholera Information for Healthcare Professionals
Cholera resources for healthcare professionals addressing diagnosis, testing, treatment, patient care, and prevention.

Additional information and Cholera resources

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Toxic Substances Web Portal – CDC/ATSDR (Jan 24)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) newly redesigned Toxic Substances Web Portal provides comprehensive access to the best science, the latest research, and important information about how toxic substances can affect health.

When Working in the Cold, Be Prepared and Be Aware – CDC (Jan 24)
When workers do their jobs in the cold, they face many risks. Some cold-weather dangers are obvious, but others are harder to see. Sometimes you might not even think it's very cold, but a cold-weather injury can still harm you. When you must work in the cold, always remember to be prepared and be aware.
Coordinate School Health – Key Strategies – CDC (Jan 24)
The health of young people is strongly linked to their academic success. Learn how to improve students' health and academic achievement by coordinating health programs within schools and among education, health, and social service agencies.

USDA CONSUMER ALERT: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency – USDA (Jan 28)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing recommendations to help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses in the wake of continuing winter weather events that can leave communities without power for extended periods.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR Weekly - CDC (Jan28)
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data in the weekly MMWR are provisional, based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments. The following emergency preparedness and response related articles of interest were recently published:
January 28, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 3 Download .pdf document of this issue

To electronically subscribe to the MMWR, go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr and enter your email address in the box entitled Get email updates or click on MMWR Subscriptions.

MMWR is extending its FREE Continuing Education (CE) offering to reports published in the Weekly Series. Questions and comments should be submitted to the MMWR CE mailbox at mmwrce@cdc.gov.

Food & Drug Safety

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alert – FDA (Jan 28)
Information on recent FDA recalls, market recalls, and safety alerts.

Current Drug Shortages Reported by US Food and Drug Administration – FDA (Jan 27)

Important information for ARIXTRA Starter Kit patients regarding Triad Group's alcohol prep products – FDA (Jan 24)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has become aware of a United States market recall of all lots of alcohol prep pads, swabs and swab sticks manufactured by the Triad Group and marketed under various brand names. The Triad Group recall has been initiated due to concerns about potential microbial contamination of the alcohol products with Bacillus cereus that could potentially lead to life-threatening infections.

Mama Rose’s Gourmet Foods Recalls Products Because of Possible botulinum Clostridium Contamination – FDA (Jan 20)
Mama Rose's Gourmet Foods of Phoenix, AZ is voluntarily recalling Cilantro Con Queso, Garlic Con Queso, Viper Venom Con Queso and Hopi Corn Salsa, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

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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