COCA Email Updates: May 09–23, 2011

COCA News and Announcements

New: CDC Health Partners Outreach Facebook page
The CDC has launched a new Facebook page for Health Partners. This page will provide real time updates, guidance, and situational awareness for public health partners about how to prepare and respond to public health emergencies and disasters. Become a fan today! “Like” the page to receive updates, participate in future conversations, and more.

COCA Calls/Webinars Available Online – Free CE Credit
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. Our most Recent COCA calls include:

State Level Pediatric Emergency Preparedness (April 20)
Podcast- Pediatric Emergency Preparedness: State Level Planning
Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals (April 21)

COCA Home Page

CDC News and Announcements

Did You Know? – (May 20)
Many Americans living with chronic hepatitis infections, which can lead to liver cancer, don't know they're infected; increased screening and earlier detection can save lives.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse – (May 16)
Read the CDC Public Health Matters Blog that everyone is talking about. And be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling zombies.

All Hazards

Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters – CDC
Illnesses, injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, animals and insects, food, water, cleanup, mold, environmental concerns, mental effects of disasters and more are covered on this page.

Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week – CDC
The week before Memorial Day has been designated National Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week. RWII Prevention Week 2011 will take place May 23-29, 2011, marking the seventh anniversary of this observance.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR publications are prepared by the CDC. To electronically subscribe to the MMWR, go to MMWR Subscriptions and enter your email address in the box entitled Get email updates.

MMWR Weekly Reports

May 20, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No.19 Download .pdf of this issue

May 13, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 18 Download .pdf of this Issue

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Ready America: Tornadoes – FEMA (May 23)
While tornadoes are more common in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest, they can occur in any state and at any time of the year, making advance preparation vitally important.

May 22–28 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week – CDC/NOAA (May 20)
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

Hurricanes: Health and Safety – FDA (May 18)
Before and after weather emergencies, it is important to have a plan in place for emergency medication, food and water, and medical supplies for both humans and animals.

Returning Home after a Disaster: Be Healthy and Safe – CDC (May 16)
Hazard awareness, controlling mold, and animal contact are just a few of the concerns facing those returning to their homes after recent flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Floods – CDC
Learn about flood readiness and recovery, and the hazards that accompany flooding.

Guidance on Microbial Contamination in Previously Flooded Outdoor Areas – CDC
Microbial contamination—both bacterial and viral—of flood waters can cause great concern for use of previously flooded outdoor areas.

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Weekly Flu View – CDC (May 20)
Flu activity continues to decrease and is at low levels across the country at this time.

Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update – CDC (May 17)
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.

HHS Unveils New Interactive Video to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections – HHS (May 13)
On May 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health released Partnering to Heal: Teaming Up Against Healthcare-Associated Infections, an interactive computer-based video-simulation training program.

FDA Licenses Fluzone Intradermal– CDC/FDA (May 11)
A new influenza vaccine option for people aged 18-64 years will be available for the 2011-2012 influenza season.

Travelers’ Health

Current Travel Warnings – US Department of State (May 23)
Travel Warnings are in effect for 33 destinations. 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.

Outbreak Updates for International Cruise Ships – CDC (May 18)
Cruise ships participating in the Vessel Sanitation Program are required to report the total number of gastrointestinal (GI) illness cases (including zero cases) evaluated by the medical staff before the ship arrives at a U.S. port, when sailing from a foreign port.

Staying Healthy on a Cruise – CDC

Although cruising has many obvious pleasures, certain health hazards are also a risk with cruise ship travel. Staying informed and preparing for these potential hazards can help you stay healthy and get the most out of your cruise vacation.

Food & Drug Safety

FDA Warns Not to Feed Simply Thick to Premature Infants – FDA (May 23)

This formula-thickening formula may cause a life-threatening condition if given to infants born before 37 weeks’ gestation.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts – FDA (May 23)

For information on recent FDA recalls, market recalls, and safety alerts.

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.

Return to Top of Page