Author: osigunma

Stop the Spread: Vaccinate, Educate, and Protect Against Measles!

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can lead to severe illness, complications, and even be life-threatening. In 2023, there were an estimated 107 500 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years. Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine is safe and provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include high fever (may spike to more than 104° F), cough, runny nose (coryza), red and watery eyes, and rash. Rash, which is the most common symptom, begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for measles. Caregiving should focus on relieving symptoms, making the person comfortable and preventing complications. Drinking enough water and treatments for dehydration can replace fluids lost to diarrhea or vomiting. Eating a healthy diet is also important. The best way to protect against measles is with the MMR vaccine.

For More Information on Measles See the Resources Below: 

Cited Sources

Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention. (2024, February 15). Measles in 2024: An Urgent Call to Action. https://sites.uab.edu/arcipc/2024/02/15/measles/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 29). Measles (Rubeola). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, February 28). Measles cases and outbreaks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

World Health Organization. (2025, January 10). Measles (Rubeola). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

Think TB: Raising Tuberculosis Awareness and Enhancing Public Health Practices (April 2, 2025 at 11:00am CT)

Join the Region IV Public Health Training Center for the upcoming webinar to enhance your knowledge on tuberculosis and its implications for public health practice. This session is designed to help public health professionals recognize transmission risks, understand local and national epidemiological trends, and explore the significance of treatment burden and compliance. Learn the critical role of collaboration with state TB programs in effectively managing and preventing TB in your communities. Equip yourself to be a key player in the fight against tuberculosis.

Learning objectives:

  • Define how tuberculosis (TB) is transmitted to increase awareness of transmission risks and its impact on the public’s health.
  • Summarize the local impact of TB and apply national TB epidemiology concepts to support local TB elimination efforts.
  • Explain treatment burden based on health and non-health factors that contribute to variability in individual risk and compliance (duration, # of pills, side effects).
  • Discuss the importance of partnering with the TB program in your state.

This webinar is sponsored by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control; Emory University/Central Office; Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC).

CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the two modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. Learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard when the certificate is available.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Speakers:

Maria Lasley, BSN, RN, is a Nurse Consultant for the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC). As a consultant, Maria is involved with planning, developing, conducting, and evaluating TB-related trainings. She provides technical assistance, nursing consultation, mentoring, and education on TB nursing practices and case management, as well as facilitates the exchange of information between internal and external medical providers, state and territory TB programs, local community health departments and laboratories.  Maria is a self-motivated professional and demonstrates initiative with a focus on meeting or exceeding intended goals. 

Pamela Nelson, BSN, RN, is the Regional Nursing Consultant and Area TB Coordinator for the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Pamela has over 20 years of nursing experience with advanced training in tuberculosis, as well as emergency response and management. She is a member of the Florida Nurse Association and has received a number of honors and awards related to her work with tuberculosis and the state of Florida.  

Amy Painter, BSN, RN, is the TB Division Director for the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DHEC). As the division director, she monitors and guides TB Control program activities to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws and regulations and with epidemiologic trends and grant deliverables. Amy is a self-starting, goal-oriented strategist whose confidence, perseverance, and vision promotes success. She has over twenty years of public health experience in a variety of programs and brings front-line nursing knowledge. 

Registration

Rising Infectious Diseases: Understanding the Post-COVID Surge (February 25, 2025 at 12:00pm CT)

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped the global health landscape, leading to a surge in new and re-emerging infectious diseases. This webinar will delve into the complex world of infectious diseases that have emerged or re-emerged in the wake of the pandemic. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors driving the spread and evolution of these diseases, including environmental changes, social behaviors, and global interconnectedness.

Learning objectives:

  • Identify and analyze the factors contributing to the rise and spread of new and re-emerging infectious diseases post-COVID-19.
  • Understand the impact of environmental changes, social behaviors, and global interconnectedness on the evolution and transmission of infectious diseases.
  • Explore strategies and best practices for mitigating the impact of these diseases on public health and preparing for future infectious disease outbreaks.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health part of the Region IV Public Health Training Center, the Deep South Center for Occupational Health, and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 7/10/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs..

Molly Fleece, M.D

Dr. Molly Fleece is an Associate Professor in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases and an Associate Healthcare Epidemiologist for the UAB Health System. Dr. Fleece completed her medical degree at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She then completed her Internal Medicine Residency & Infectious Diseases Fellowship training at the University of Virginia. She is a clinician educator with interests in general infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, hospital-acquired infections, and infection
prevention.

Human Metapneumovirus: Why it matters and how to stay protected

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms and mild upper respiratory infections. However, it can occasionally result in more serious lower respiratory issues, such as pneumonia, asthma exacerbations, or worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It poses a greater risk to young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. HMPV infections are most prevalent in the winter and early spring. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles. It enters the body via the eyes, nose, or mouth, making close contact with infected individuals or shared environments a significant risk for transmission.

HMPV typically causes cold- or flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and headaches. Severe symptoms may include wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, dehydration, or a persistent fever. The estimated incubation period for HMPV is 3 to 6 days, and the duration of illness varies depending on severity. Preventing HMPV and other respiratory infections requires good hygiene and minimizing exposure. Wash hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and disinfect commonly used surfaces. Cover coughs and sneezes, wear a mask in crowded spaces or when sick, and avoid sharing food or utensils. Improve ventilation in shared spaces and maintain a strong immune system through a healthy lifestyle. Although no vaccine is currently available, research is ongoing.

For More Information on HMPV See the Resources Below: 

Cited Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 11). Human Metapneumovirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/human-metapneumovirus/about/index.html

World Health Organization. (2025, January 10). Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/human-metapneumovirus-(hmpv)-infection

American Lung Association. (Updated 2025, January 15). Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV). https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv

Legionella Prevention and Water System Management in the Nursing Home (April 23, 2024 at 12pm CT)

Legionella and other waterborne pathogens have been associated with outbreaks in the nursing home setting causing infections in residents that may lead to severe illness or death.  This session will discuss factors that contribute to contaminated water sources and how this can lead to resident infections. CMS now requires nursing homes to have water management plans and this session will discuss CDC’s guidance for developing an effective water management program to not only meet this requirement but also help ensure the safety of nursing home residents.. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

The Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators has reviewed and approved this program 1.0 NHA CEs for licensed nursing home administrators in the State of Alabama.

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC

Vice President of Healthcare Quality,RB Health Partners, Inc

A.C. Burke has been working with RB Health Partners, Inc. since 2016 and has over 22 years of experience working in public health and healthcare. A.C. worked for the Florida Department of Health for 15 years; 5 of those years she served as the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program Manager. She later was the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida. In her current role, she consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and practices, and provides training to nursing homes and at conferences, including the 17-hour Nursing Home Infection Prevention Program (NIPP) Nipping Infections in the Bud. NIPP was created to meet the CMS infection prevention training required for a facility team member to be recognized as the designated Infection Prevention Control Official (IPCO). A.C. is nationally recognized in her field and is the primary author of this program. A.C. holds a master’s degree in health management and is nationally Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. She is currently the chair of Florida Health Care Association’s Infection Prevention Council which was created to support Florida’s nursing homes in building and sustaining infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship programs that meet national standards. She works with clients to understand and implement national guidelines and best practices and supports program implementation by creating and delivering education materials, tools, and training.

Evaluation

Yes: Having a Robust Hand Hygiene Program is Still Important (March 12, 2024, 12:00pm CT)

Hand hygiene has been the cornerstone of a strong infection prevention program for years. However, creating a robust hand hygiene program is not as simple as it sounds. This presentation will explain why every healthcare facility needs a hand hygiene program and identify the key elements that are needed. We will review what should be included in the audit, who should perform the audits, how to educate the auditors and what you can do with the results of the audits. We will explore some auditing tools and resources available. Finally, we will discuss some innovative ways to engage staff in the hand hygiene program. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and is cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs

Mary M. Duncan

Senior Director of Infection Prevention· University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System.

Mary Duncan is an experienced, certified Infection Preventionist who has spent the last 18 years implementing best practices at various facilities to prevent infections in patients. She is currently the Senior Director of Infection Prevention at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System. This is an 1100+ bed Level 1 trauma center in the city of Birmingham, AL.  Through her passion and innovative approaches, she strives to decrease infections by working with front-line staff to make sure they are educated on best practices and have access to the tools they need to do the right thing. Mary is skilled in the ability to listen and identify issues or problem areas and form innovative solutions that increase the safety for both patients and staff.


Evaluation

Understanding Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (February 7, 2024, 12pm CST)

In this webinar, Kate Draper, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology Fellow with the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), will provide an overview of Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDROs), their impact, causes, and potential solutions. Also, She will discuss MDROs and causal factors for rapid spread, describe surveillance, colonization screenings, and laboratory testing methods, review infection prevention and control strategies and highlight state, national, and international initiatives to combat MDROs. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

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Kate Draper

Kate Draper is currently a Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology Fellow with the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). She received a Bachelors of Science in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in 2019 and a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology in 2022 from the University of Nevada at Reno. In her current position, she assists with outbreak activities related to foodborne diseases and healthcare acquired infections (HAI) as well as pursues projects related to health equity in HAI and shadows other ADPH departments for a holistic understanding of public health.

EVALUATION

Fighting Malaria, Saving Lives!

On June 26, 2023, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) health advisory to share information and notify clinicians, public health authorities and the public about Plasmodium vivax malaria cases acquired in Florida and Texas. Although no evidence suggests that cases in the two states are related, active surveillance for additional cases is ongoing.

Malaria is the number one killer of all the parasitic disease known to man. In 2020, an estimated 200+ million cases occurred worldwide and over 600,000 deaths were recorded (WHO,2005). More than 80% of deaths worldwide occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Most cases in the U.S are due to travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria is endemic (sub-Saharan African and South Asia).

Four species of Plasmodium causes malaria in humans. One of the species, Plasmodium falciparum, is the most pathogenic of all. Transmission to humans is by the blood-sucking bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. The parasite multiplies in the red blood cell of humans. Incubation period is between 9-30 days. Symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache and muscle aches. Malaria control and prevention includes the elimination of mosquito breeding sites like stagnant water and bushes, use of PPE against mosquitoes (ex. screen and pyrethrin treated nets) and use of anti-malaria medications.

Below are recommended resources on malaria:

General information on malaria by the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html

WHO information on Malaria

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria

Malaria and Travelers for U.S. Residents

https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/index.html

Genetically modified mosquitoes cut the insect number by 96 percent

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2344811-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-cut-the-insects-number-by-96-per-cent/

Cheaper Malaria Vaccine recommended by WHO.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2395634-cheaper-malaria-vaccine-recommended-by-the-who/

Recommended vaccine Malaria Vaccine for children at risk

https://www.who.int/news/item/06-10-2021-who-recommends-groundbreaking-malaria-vaccine-for-children-at-risk

WHO Malaria Toolkit App

https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/malaria-toolkit-app

Other Recommendations:

Review of malaria diagnosis and treatment in the United States

First US malaria cases diagnosed in decades in Florida and Texas

Why Mosquitoes are good at smelling you.

The battle against Malaria (A New York Times editorial)

Pandemics, Infodemics and Information Overload: How consistent, clear communication can help in future outbreaks (November 7, 2023, 12pm CT)

In this webinar, Dr. Wallace, Epidemiologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, will discuss about infodemics and how they occur, talk through misinformation vs correct information and how they both can contribute to infodemics, and will review the problem of infodemics, and how we can reduce information overload and confusion by prioritizing consistent and clear scientific communication to mitigate public confusion and information fatigue. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

Dr. Katrine Wallace, Ph.D.

Dr. Wallace holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and has 15+ years of professional research experience in epidemiology, research design, pharmacoepidemiology, health economics, outcomes research, and biostatistics. She is currently an epidemiologist and  adjunct assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health. She is also known as “Dr Kat” on her popular social media channels where she educates on epidemiology, vaccines, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been an invited speaker in the US and internationally, and has presented research at over 20 scientific congresses. A vaccine advocate, she serves as a member of “Team Halo” (United Nations Verified Initiative), Project FIDES (World Health Organization) and was chosen as a “vaccine luminary” for the 2021 G7 Vaccine Confidence Summit. Dr. Wallace has also been featured as an opinion contributor for The Hill, and has been interviewed or profiled in several mainstream media outlets such as; BBC World News, The  Washington Post, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, CBS News, and National Public Radio.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance and cosponsored by the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

Evalulation LINK

Antimicrobial Resistance and Multi-Drug Resistant Organism in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities

Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible to treat. Multidrug-resistant organisms are bacteria’s that have become resistant to certain antibiotics, and these antibiotics can no longer be used to control or kill the bacteria. Antibiotics are important medicines. They help fight infections that are caused by bacteria. Bacteria that resist treatment with more than one antibiotic are called multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs for short), (ct.gov,2023).

Examples of (MDROs), includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and certain gram-negative bacilli (GNB) which have important infection control implications that either have not been addressed or received only limited consideration (CDC,2015).

Below are recommended resources for hospitals and long-term care facilities on MDROs:

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
The Changing Landscape of Antimicrobial Resistance Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
MULTI DRUG-RESISTANT ORGANISMS (MDROs)
General Recommendations for Routine Prevention and Control of MDROs in Healthcare Settings
Preventing the Spread of Novel or Targeted Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs)
Infection Prevention of MDROs in Long-Term Care Settings