Public Policy Updates

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health officials about a confirmed measles case at a large gathering. On February 24, 2023, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual with a history of recent international travel. While … Continued

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health officials about an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya reported in Paraguay. As of February 24, 2023, the Ministry of Health in Paraguay reported a total of 71,478 suspect chikungunya cases in Paraguay, with 29,362 of those being … Continued

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first over-the-counter (OTC) at-home diagnostic test that can differentiate and detect influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home Test is a single-use at-home test kit that provides results from self-collected nasal swab … Continued

The CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) group will host a webinar on Tuesday, February 28 about the recent increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections (shigellosis). The webinar will help clinicians understand the nuances of testing and managing infections, especially when treating patients from populations at increased risk of drug-resistant shigellosis including: young … Continued

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about an increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections (shigellosis) reported through national surveillance systems. In 2022, about 5% of Shigella infections reported to CDC were caused by XDR strains, compared with 0% in 2015. Clinicians treating patients infected with XDR strains have limited antimicrobial treatment options. Shigella bacteria are easily transmissible, … Continued

Honeywell issued a Mandatory Stop Use Notice related to Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridges SKUs PA7DEHE and PA7OVAGHE. Read the Honeywell Market Action Notice for information on replacing unused products.

3M Scott Fire & Safety issued a user safety notice for the C420 Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Blowers. The manufacturer of the C420 blower unit identified a population of production with the potential for internal impeller disengagement from the blower motor. In such circumstances the PAPR respirators will still maintain user protection and continue to … Continued

The CDC released the latest version of its Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Investment Map, highlighting the agency’s funding in the U.S. and around the world to combat the global threat of AR in FY 2022. CDC funds AR activities in every U.S. state to detect, respond to, contain, and prevent resistant infections across healthcare, the community, … Continued

The CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) group is hosting a webinar on evaluating and supporting children and adolescents presenting with post-COVID conditions. Free continuing education will be offered for this call. Date: Thursday, February 23 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET Webinar link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617153478?pwd=ME5FZ2VPRXBGUGc4UVlqcE1zdFNTZz09