Weekly newsletter from the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS). To start receiving the Epi Update, please call Shawnice Cameron at 1-800-362-2736.
Current Issue
Epi Update for Friday, May 19, 2023
• Increase in latent TB and TB cases among persons from Pacific Island communities
• Graduation party food safety
• Suspected fungal meningitis outbreak in U.S. patients linked to surgical procedures in Mexico
• In the news: Those at high risk of mpox should get 2 doses of Bavarian Nordic (Jynneos) vaccine, US CDC says
• Infographic: Risks of untreated inactive TB
Archive Issues
We keep the last six months available on this page. Older editions of the Epi Update can be found at the State Library of Iowa: Iowa Publications Online.
Epi Update for Friday, May 12, 2023
• May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• Rabid animals don’t always show symptoms
• Mpox cases low nationally, but virus still poses a risk
• In the news: Rise of mpox cases in Chicago raises concern about possible summer spread
• Meeting announcements and training opportunities
• Infographic: Recommendations for managing human rabies exposure
Epi Update for Monday, May 1, 2023
• Immunization recommendations during floods
• Traveling internationally? Check CDC for current health issues, guidelines by destination.
• In the news: Hawaii Department of Health announces second O‘ahu measles case
• In the news: Measles outbreak in American Samoa declared public health emergency
• Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, April 21, 2023
• Lab Week 2023
• National Infant Immunization Week
• Iowa HHS rabies resources
• Infographic: 5 important facts about infant vaccinations
Epi Update for Friday, April 14, 2023
Epi Update for Friday, April 7, 2023
• CDC monitoring Marburg outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania
• Help Iowa HHS and SHL make respiratory surveillance data even better
• Salmonella and Easter chicks
• National Public Health Week
• Infographic: Always wash your hands after handling live poultry
Epi Update for Friday, March 24, 2023
• Increasing threat of spread of antimicrobial-resistant fungus in U.S health care facilities
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) update
• Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, March 10, 2023
• CDC: Increased chikungunya activity in Paraguay, risk to travelers
• 2022 immunization data and reports
• In the news: All adults should be screened for hepatitis B at least once, CDC says
• Infographic: What is shingles?
Epi Update for Friday, March 3, 2023
- Large measles exposure in Kentucky. Suspect measles in a patient? Contact CADE.
- CDC: Increase in extensively drug-resistant shigellosis in the U.S.
- Infographic: Evaluating patients for possible measles
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, February 17, 2023
- 2023 Immunization schedules now available
- Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy benefits US infants
- US pediatric influenza deaths at highest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Infographic: People of all ages need whooping cough vaccines
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, February 10, 2023
- Reminder: All outbreaks are reportable to public health
- Iowa labs contribute to national influenza surveillance for genetic changes, vaccine match, antiviral susceptibility
- Increase in meningococcal disease
- Infographic: Rules of the game for food safety
Epi Update for Friday, February 3, 2023
- Mpox public health emergency ends
- Outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with artificial tears
- Two cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with reduced susceptibility detected in Massachusetts
- Infographic: Tooth decay
Epi Update for Friday, January 20, 2023
- Radon Action Month and Radon Awareness Week
- Norovirus prevention
- Infographic: Radon by the numbers
Epi Update for Friday, January 13, 2023
- Ebola outbreak in Uganda declared over
- Recommendation for opt-out syphilis testing in northwest Iowa prompted by rapid increases in diagnoses
Epi Update for Friday, January 6, 2023
- Mpox testing remains available at SHL, no Iowa HHS approval required
- Reminder: Submit positive influenza specimens to SHL throughout the season
- CDC: Increase in pediatric invasive group A streptococcal infections
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Thursday, December 22, 2022
- Meningococcal disease cases identified in Iowa
- Updated guidelines regarding COVID-19 therapeutics for treatment and prevention
- Holiday leftover food safety, CDC video
- Infographic: Cook meat and eggs to safe internal temperatures
Epi Update for Friday, December 16, 2022
- Guidance for prioritizing influenza antiviral use when oseltamivir availability is limited
- Seasonal disease activity remains high statewide
- Bats and rabies
- Infographic: Feeling sick?
Epi Update for Friday, December 9, 2022
- December 5: Dr. Ann Garvey Appreciation Day
- Mpox testing no longer requires Iowa HHS approval, call center closing
- Neisseria meningitidis reporting reminder
- Bordetella parapertussis
- Child products recalled due to lead hazards
- In the news: FDA approves first fecal microbiota product
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, November 18, 2022
- Early and increased respiratory virus activity, especially among youth
- Everyday disease prevention
- Be Antibiotics Aware: Protect your patient
- Monitoring, maintaining dental waterlines to prevent infections – SHL can help!
- Measles: Cases in the U.S., stay vigilant
- Cooking for large groups
Special Edition: Epi Update for Friday, November 4, 2022
- Special Edition: In Memory of Dr. Ann Garvey
Epi Update for Friday, October 21, 2022
- Screening patients for Ebola virus disease (EVD)
- Recent reports of RSV, parainfluenza in Iowa and clarification regarding B. Parapertussis
- Infographic: Think Ebola: Early recognition is critical for infection control
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, October 14, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- In the news: Flu off to an early start as CDC warns about potentially severe season
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, October 7, 2022
- Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Central Uganda
- Resources and requests for the 2022-23 influenza season
- Protecting everyone entering a health care facility
- Infographic: Iowa influenza surveillance webinar for the 2022-23 season
Epi Update for Friday, September 30, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- Updated COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidance for health care settings
Epi Update for Friday, September 23, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- West Nile virus activity increasing
- Blood lead collection tube shortage affecting lead testing
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, September 16, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- Acute flaccid myelitis and national increase in enteroviruses, including EV-D68
- Winter is coming: Remember these steps to reduce respiratory illness
- Infographic: Look out for AFM signs and symptoms
Epi Update for Friday, September 9, 2022
- Enhanced barrier precaution use to prevent Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) transmission
- Rabies consultations regarding possible bat exposures increasing
- Rabies post-exposure rabies prophylaxis – it’s not too late!
- Infographic: Rabies exposure management for bat-related incidents
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, September 2, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- Influenza vaccine recommendations for 2022-23 season
- Variant influenza: Identification, treatment, and prevention
- HHS announces first West Nile case of 2022
- Infographic: Tips for adequate collection of lesion specimens from suspect monkeypox case
- Meeting announcements and training opportunities
Epi Update for Friday, August 26, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- In the news: Monkeypox experts give virus variants new names
- Infographic: What to do if you suspect monkeypox
Epi Update for Friday, August 12, 2022
- Monkeypox update
- CDC confirms first human influenza infection from pigs during 2022
- Free online courses: Bring Home the Blue, Not the Flu! Now available in Spanish!
OLDER ISSUES
See the State Library of Iowa for older editions of the Epi Update.