CDC Grand Rounds: Discovering New Diseases

 

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Each month the CDC holds a Grand Rounds web presentation that focuses on a single health-related issue.  In the past I’ve highlighted their broadcasts on such diverse topics as Multidrug-Resistant Gonorrhea, Electronic Health Records, and Sodium Reduction . . . to name a few.

 

Today, a new Grand Rounds on discovering new diseases will be presented.

 

Explaining the Unexplained: Discovering New Diseases Using Advanced Detection Tools

Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., EDT

This exciting session of Grand Rounds focuses on rapid identification of emerging infectious diseases. As our world increases in interconnectivity of both technology and people, the rapid identification of emerging infectious diseases becomes more important for disease treatment, control, and prevention.

 

Pathologists and medical examiners are often among the first healthcare workers to encounter infectious disease outbreaks. This session demonstrates their critical role in surveillance for and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. CDC plays an ongoing role in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious illnesses, discovery of new agents, and it collaborates 24/7 with state, local, and international partners in order to track emerging pathogens to explain the unexplained.

 

Watch the live webcast with a broadband or slower connection. Note: The webcast links are only active during the date and time of the session, but all sessions are archived for future viewing.

September 18, 2012

• Title: CDC Public Health Grand Rounds (Topic: Explaining the Unexplained)
• City/State: Atlanta, Georgia
• Location: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tom Harkin Global Communications Center, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Building 19, Auditorium A
• Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
• E-mail: grandrounds@cdc.gov
• Web site: Watch live and archived broadcasts at: www.cdc.gov/about/grand-rounds (No registration needed)

 

To access and view earlier Grand Rounds presentations (going back go 2009), direct your browser to:

 

Grand Rounds – Archives

 

Resources paid for by your tax dollars, and highly recommended.

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Update & Video On The Texas West Nile Outbreak

 

 
Map credit – DVBID

 

# 6476

 

 

A week ago, in Texas: West Nile Cases Rising I wrote about the high number of West Nile infections being reported in, and around, Dallas County Texas.  At the time, the DCHHS was reporting three local fatalities from WNV neuroinvasive disease (WNND).

 

That number has now doubled to six fatalities, according to this press release from the Dallas County Health Department. WNV related deaths have also been reported in Travis County (1) and McLennan County (1).

 

To put this into some kind of perspective, in previous years the entire state of Texas reported:

• 2 West Nile human fatalities in 2011
• 7 West Nile human fatalities in 2010
• 9 West Nile human fatalities in 2009
• 1 West Nile human fatalities in 2008
• 17 West Nile human fatalities in 2007

 

The latest edition of West Nile Watch indicates 115 human infections in Dallas County Alone – an increase of roughly 40% over last week’s total. Zachary Thompson -director of Dallas County Health and Human Services – is quoted on the department’s website about the seriousness of this outbreak:

 

 

Last week Baylor Health Care System sponsored a webinar called West Nile in North Texas: What you need to know, and that video is available on Youtube.  Participating in this 23 minute program were:

 

• Janet St. James, local Medical reporter with WFAA-TV, Channel 8
• William Sutker, M.D., chief of infectious disease, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
• Charles Perkins, D.O., medical director, Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services
• Roger Khetan, M.D., Internal Medicine physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas

 

 

While Northern Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi are currently reporting the most West Nile Virus activity, the CDC noted last week that 42 states across the nation have reported WNV activity this year.

 

West Nile virus disease cases up this year

 

Take steps to protect yourself and your family

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to take steps to prevent West Nile virus infections.  Outbreaks of West Nile virus disease occur each summer in the United States.  This year, some areas of the country are experiencing earlier and greater activity.

 

Thus far in 2012, 42 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 241 cases of West Nile virus disease, including four deaths, have been reported to CDC. This is the highest number of cases reported through the end of July since 2004. Almost 80 percent of the cases have been reported from three states, Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

 

West Nile virus is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes.  In the United States, most people are infected from June through September, and the number of these infections usually peaks in mid-August.  Seasonal outbreaks often occur in local areas that can vary from year to year.  Many factors impact when and where outbreaks occur, such as weather, numbers of mosquitoes that spread the virus, and human behavior.

 

“It is not clear why we are seeing more activity than in recent years,” said Marc Fischer, M.D., M.P.H., medical epidemiologist with CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch.  “Regardless of the reasons for the increase, people should be aware of the West Nile virus activity in their area and take action to protect themselves and their family.”

 

The best way to prevent West Nile virus disease is to avoid mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. 
• Wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors.  Use air conditioning, if you have it.
• Empty standing water from items outside your home such as flowerpots, buckets, and kiddie pools.

(Continue . . .)

 

To find out about the West Nile threat in your area, you can visit the DVBID website below:

Links to State and Local Government West Nile Virus Web Sites

 

Click on a state to link directly to their West Nile virus Web page.

See list below for additional city-level and main State Health Department Web sites.

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Reminder: National Academies Webcast Today On H5N1 Research

 

# 6308

 

Today the National Academies will stream a day-long webinar on the issues surrounding Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC).  The webcast begins at 8:30 EDT.

 

You can view the agenda watch via the web at:

 

http://events.tvworldwide.com/Events/IOM/IOM120501.aspx

 

Issues Raised, Lessons Learned, and Paths Forward for Dual-Use Research in the Life Sciences: The H5N1 Research Controversy

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CDC Webinar: Antiviral Medication Recommendations For Influenza

 

 

Credit – CDC COCA

# 6179

 

Primarily of interest to clinicians - including physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, pharmacists, paramedics, veterinarians, epidemiologists, public health practitioners, and state and local health department officials -  the CDC will hold a webinar later today on the use of antiviral medications for influenza.

 

These COCA (Clinician Outreach Communication Activity) calls are designed to ensure that clinicians have the up-to-date information for their practices, and also provide Continuing Education Credits.

 

The details of today’s COCA call follows, along with links to some recent calls that are archived and available for viewing.

 

 

2011-2012 Influenza Season: Antiviral Medication Recommendations 

= Continuing Education Credits

Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Participate by Phone:

Dial:800-779-7163
Passcode: 7319016

Participate by Webinar:

https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW6062720&p=7319016&t=c

Presenter(s):

 

Timothy Uyeki, MD, MPH, MPP
CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service
Deputy Chief for Science
Epidemiology and Prevention Branch
Influenza Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
CDC

Overview:

CDC estimates that influenza virus infections in the United States result in an average of more than 200,000 related hospitalizations, and between 3,300 to 49,000 deaths each year, depending upon the severity of the influenza season. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older, and is the best way to prevent influenza. However, available evidence consistently indicates that antiviral treatment, when initiated as early as possible in patients with confirmed or suspected influenza, can reduce severe outcomes of influenza.  During this COCA conference call, a subject matter expert will review current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC guidance on the use of antiviral medications in the prevention and treatment of influenza.

 

 

For a list of recent (and upcoming) conference calls, visit this link.

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AAAS Webinar: Science Is Not Enough

 

 

# 6155

 

Yesterday, in Science at the Crossroads, I wrote about the public’s growing mistrust in science and in the scientific community. There are deep divisions over scientific claims of climate change, vaccine safety, the safety of genetically modified crops, and even the theory of evolution.

 

While there are many external reasons for this divide (including tabloid journalism, and the proliferation of pseudo-science on the internet), the way that scientists communicate about science is at least partially to blame.

 

The decision yesterday afternoon by the World Health Organization to hold back on the publication of controversial H5N1 research until they can `increase public awareness and understanding of this research’  would seem a tacit acknowledgment that scientists need to do a better job in communicating with the public.

 

Later today, the AAAS will webcast a plenary lecture on this very subject.

 

Science Is Not Enough: Plenary Panel and Live Webcast

18 February 2012
5:00-6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Ballroom C

Live-tweet your questions to #AAASmtg

 

Why do so many political leaders and citizens remain unconcerned about climate change, water scarcity, fisheries depletion, and a host of other science-related global challenges?

 

An exceptional plenary panel at the 2012 AAAS Annual Meeting will explore how scientists, educators, and students can help influence public perceptions and debate about science-related global challenges.

 

The panel will be moderated by Frank Sesno, an award-winning American journalist, former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington bureau chief, and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University.

 

AAAS President Nina Fedoroff, a leading geneticist and molecular biologist, will preside. Fedoroff is Evan Pugh Professor of Biology and Willaman Professor of Life Science at Pennsylvania State University. She is also a distinguished visiting professor at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

Panelists

James Hansen

Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies; Adjunct Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University

Olivia Judson

Research Fellow, Imperial College London

Hans Rosling

Professor of International Health, Karolinska Institute; Co-Founder, Gapminder Foundation

 

This should make for an interesting webcast.

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Webinar: John Oxford On Pandemic Preparedness

 

 

 

# 5825

 

With heightened pandemic awareness due to recent reports on the bird flu virus, a small number of novel swine flu cases showing up in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and the release of the movie Contagion this weekend, pandemic preparedness is once again ripe for discussion.

 

Professor John Oxford - Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd. and a Professor of Virology at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital, co-author of two standard medical texts, and author of more than 250 scientific papers – is often sought out for his expertise on pandemic influenza.

 

In the UK, when the BBC wants a quote or opinion on influenza or pandemic issues, you’ll find it often comes from Professor Oxford. 

 

At the start of the influenza pandemic of 2009 Oxford was publicly insisting that the real number of infected from the H1N1 virus in the UK was many times greater than the British government was saying (see A Yank From Oxford).

 

As it turned out, he was right. 

 

Later today (Sept 9th), Professor Oxford will take part in an online Webinar hosted by International SOS - a private sector healthcare, medical assistance, and security services company - where he will discuss last week’s announcement (see FAO Warns On Bird Flu) of an emerging new clade of the H5N1 virus, and pandemic preparedness issues for businesses and organizations. 

 

According to the Press Release, topics to be covered will include:

 

• What is the real risk of another influenza pandemic? Has it increased?

• When might the pandemic occur?

• How severe might a bird flu H5N1 influenza pandemic be?

• How prepared are we as a nation, and internationally, for a deadly virus?

• What extra precautions should travelers and expatriates take when visiting / living in affected countries?

Following the discussion, webinar attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the keynote speakers listed above.

WHEN:

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011

11 a.m. EDT

HOW:

Follow this link to join the webinar.

If you are unable to attend, use this link to request a recording, to be emailed no later than three business days after the webinar.

WHO: Human resources, security, risk and safety, travel, medical and business continuity professionals will benefit from this webinar.

 

 

Access to this webinar requires advance registration, after which you will receive instructions on how to attend via email.

 

Professor Oxford is never shy about sharing his views, and so this webinar ought to make for interesting viewing.

»» Read More

CDC Webinar: Leveraging Social Media For Disaster Preparedness

 

 

 

# 5796

 

 

Tomorrow, August 31st from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT, the CDC will present a webinar on the role of social media in disaster preparedness.

Details on how to attend online can be found at the web page below.

 

 

Leveraging Social Media for Disaster Preparedness

Join us on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 1:00 PM (ET) for a special webinar presentation "Leveraging Social Media for Disaster Preparedness."

 

This presentation will begin by laying out the major areas where social media is being used in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. The presenter will discuss the ways that social media can be leveraged to enhance situational awareness, strengthen operational aspects of response, support recovery efforts, and build community resilience.

(Continue . . . )

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Webinar: pH1N1 – H3N2 A Novel Influenza Reassortment

 

 

# 5622

 

Last week we got word of the first detection of a reassortment between the (formerly) pandemic H1N1 virus and a seasonal H3N2 influenza virus, which was announced by researchers in Toronto, Canada.

 

The case involved a  16-month-old boy from the Greater Toronto Area was admitted briefly to a local hospital for respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms last January.

 

The child was sent home, and recovered without incident, and no other family members or contacts reported flu-like symptoms.

 

It wasn’t until later, when viral cultures showed a hybrid (reassorted) H1N1-H3N2 virus, did scientists realize that something unusual had occurred.

 

It is known that influenza viruses – if they co-infect the same host simultaneously – have the ability to swap genetic segments and form a hybrid.

 

This sort of reassortment can occur in any host; human, porcine, or avian.  

Most of the time, these reassortments are evolutionary dead ends. They are either biologically unfit, or unable to compete with their better adapted parental strains, and fail to reproduce and thrive.

 

On exceedingly rare occasions, they can produce a competitive new virus - and as we saw in 2009 - spark a global pandemic.

 

Since both of the contributor viruses in this case are already widely circulating strains, concerns over this particular reassortment becoming a serious public health threat are slim.

 

But it does highlight the fact that reassortments can, and do, occur. And the importance of enhanced surveillance if we hope to detect the next pandemic flu threat early.

 

You can read a few more details on this case in the following Canadian Press article from last Friday.

 

New flu virus emerges after child co-infected with H1N1, H3N2; vaccine protective

By Sheryl Ubelacker, Health Reporter, The Canadian Press

 

 

On Thursday of next week (June 16th) a free webinar and Teleconference is planned as part of the OAHPP (Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion) Grand Rounds that will provide the latest information and perhaps some additional insight on this reassorted virus.

 

Registration is Free and Easy on the Eventbrite website. 

 

The details from the webinar announcement follow:

 

OAHPP Rounds: pH1N1 – H3N2: A Novel Influenza Virus Reassortment

Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (ET)

Toronto Ont.,

 

Presenter:

Dr. Jonathan Gubbay- Medical Microbiologist, OAHPP

Discussant:

Dr. Natasha Crowcroft- Director, Surveillance and Epidemiology, OAHPP

Abstract

Dr. Jonathan Gubbay, medical microbiologist at the Toronto Public Health Laboratory, will present on a new influenza virus that has been discovered by the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP). It is the first Canadian confirmed finding of a patient with a coinfection of seasonal H3N2 and pH1N1 followed by reassortment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case ever reported globally. The sample was submitted to OAHPP laboratories and testing identified co-infection and reassortment of the two viruses. These results were validated by National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

 

The new virus is a hybrid of two viruses currently circulating in humans, both of which are covered by the current seasonal influenza vaccine (the H3N2 virus and the H1N1 virus). There have been no reports of additional cases or human-to-human transmission. Dr. Gubbay will be discussing the above case as well as molecular changes within the seasonal H3N2 influenza that have been seen this season.

 

Dr. Natasha Crowcroft will be the discussant, commenting on the public health significance of this finding.

 

I’ve already registered, and will make every attempt to attend via the webinar. 

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