COCA Email Updates: June 18- July 2, 2012

COCA News and Announcements

Archived 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

Get CDC On Your iPad – (CDC)
The CDC iPad App serves up important information from CDC's website tailored to meet the needs of iPad users. Download CDC's free app today

National Prevention Council Action Plan: Implementing the National Prevention Strategy – Jun 25 (CDC)
Read the National Prevention Council Action Plan to learn about the three commitments the National Prevention Council has made to accelerate prevention, and 200+ actions Council departments are undertaking to implement the National Prevention Strategy.

Did You Know?
“Did You Know?” is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to highlight prevention activities. The series features research and program activity from CDC. Please access, use, and share this information broadly with your colleagues and partners.

CDC Science Clips: Volume 4, Issue 25 – Jun 25 (CDC)
Each week, to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge, selected science clips will be posted for the public health community. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

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Public Health Preparedness

Summertime Safety – July 1 (CDC)
Whether you're relaxing in the backyard, turning up your garden, enjoying the pool, or exploring the great outdoors, here are some ways to help keep healthy this spring and summer.

Protect Your Pets in an Emergency – Jun 25 (CDC)
Make plans to ensure your pet's safety before, during, and after an emergency. Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting pets 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)
A resource for scheduled and on-demand emergency preparedness and response trainings offered by federal agencies and COCA partners.

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Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Wildfires – Jun 29 (CDC)
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Know whether you are at risk and protect yourself.

Tornadoes: Being Prepared – Jun 22 (CDC)

2012 Hurricane Health & Safety Tips - Tune in for Local Information – June 18 (CDC)

Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety – (CDC)
Excessive heat wave is affecting the U.S. from the Rockies to the East Coast. Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. Learn how to stay safe.

Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency – (CDC)
When returning to your home after a hurricane or flood, be aware that flood water may contain sewage. Protect yourself and your family by following these steps

Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters – (CDC)

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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR publications are prepared by the CDC. Electronically subscribe to MMWR
June 29, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 25 Download .pdf document of this issue

June 22, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 24 Download .pdf document of this issue

Previous HIV Testing Among Adults and Adolescents Newly Diagnosed with HIV Infection — National HIV Surveillance System, 18 Jurisdictions, United States, 2006–2009

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Containing New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase in Two Patients — Rhode Island, March 2012

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Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Weekly Flu View – Jun 23 (CDC)
During week 25, 6.1% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to pneumonia & influenza. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 6.9% for week 25.

CDC Test for Dengue Approved – June 20 (CDC)
CDC has developed a new diagnostic test to detect the presence of dengue virus in people with symptoms of dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever. The test, called the CDC DENV-1-4 Real Time RT PCR Assay, has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States and can be performed using equipment and supplies many public health laboratories already use to diagnose influenza

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) – (CDC)
RWIs are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols from, or having contact with contaminated recreational water. Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea.

Animals in Schools and Daycare Settings – (CDC)
Animals can provide important opportunities for entertainment and learning. However, there is also a risk for getting sick or hurt from contact with animals, including those in school and daycare classrooms. Learn more about infectious diseases that are associated with animals and to help reduce the risks of getting sick of hurt from them.

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Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings – Jun 27 (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.

Measles – Jun 25 (CDC)
In the U.S., measles was declared eliminated in 2000 due to high vaccination coverage and effective public health response. That means measles no longer occurs year round in the United States. However, measles is still common in some parts of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Travelers who have not been vaccinated are at risk of getting the disease and spreading it to their friends and family members who may not be up to date with vaccinations. Because of this risk, all travelers should be up to date on their vaccinations, regardless of where they are going. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, and even domestic travelers may be exposed on airplanes or in airports.

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Food, Drug and Device Safety

FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – Jun 29 (HHS/UDSA/FDA/CDC/NIH)
For recalls and alerts by both FDA and USDA, or to report a problem or make inquiries, visit FoodSafety.gov.

FDA issued a Class I Recall Notice for Fresenius Medical Care North America Naturalyte Liquid Acid Concentrate and Naturalyte GranuFlo (powder) Acid Concentrate – Jun 27 (FDA)
Inappropriate prescription of these products can lead to a high serum bicarbonate level in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This may contribute to metabolic alkalosis, which is a significant risk factor associated with low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia and cardiac arrhythmia, which, if not appropriately treated, may culminate in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Multistate Outbreak of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli O145 Infections – Jun 22 (CDC)
A total of 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O145 infection have been identified in 6 states: Alabama (2), California (1), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Louisiana (5), and Tennessee (1). Since the last update one new ill person has been identified in Louisiana with a reported illness onset of April 21, 2012. l

Progress Made Towards Healthy People 2010 Objectives – (CDC)
Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives the nation committed to strive to achieve over the first decade of the new century. Healthy People 2010 set national targets for infections caused by Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157; all are transmitted commonly through food. Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) is the principal foodborne disease component of CDC's Emerging Infections Program, and its data are used to measure progress towards these national health objectives.

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