/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:22:42 -0500 Wed, 05 Mar 25 15:15:40 -0600 /news/headline/2025-03-05-cdc-partners-texas-officials-measles-outbreak-response <p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention March 4 <a href="https://x.com/CDCgov/status/1896952684626006021">announced</a> it sent agency experts to Texas to assist local officials in responding to the state’s measles outbreak. The CDC said the partnership, known as an Epi-Aid, is a rapid response effort by the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service to respond to urgent public health issues such as disease outbreaks. EIS officers will provide onsite support for one to three weeks. <br><br>As of March 4, there were 159 measles cases identified, according to the <a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-march-4-2025">Texas Department of State Health Services</a>. Twenty-two patients have been hospitalized and a school-aged child died <a href="/news/headline/2025-02-26-texas-child-first-death-measles-outbreak-state">Feb. 26</a>. Texas DSHS officials said additional cases are likely to occur. </p> Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:15:40 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2025-02-26-texas-child-first-death-measles-outbreak-state <p>A school-aged child in Texas is the first reported individual to die from measles amid an outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of the state, the Texas Department of State Health Services <a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-announces-first-death-measles-outbreak" title="texas alert">announced</a> today. The child was not vaccinated against the disease and was hospitalized last week. As of yesterday, there have been 124 confirmed measles cases in the outbreak since late January, the department said. The majority of cases have been in children. <br> <br>As of Feb. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" title="measles data">reports</a> of measles cases from Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas. The vaccination status of 95% of the reported cases are unvaccinated or unknown. </p> Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:00:56 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2025-02-11-nevada-confirms-its-first-human-case-bird-flu <p>The Central Nevada Health District yesterday <a href="https://www.centralnevadahd.org/press-release/" title="bird flu">announced</a> the state's first case of H5N1 bird flu, a dairy farm worker who was exposed to infected cattle. The agency said the individual had conjunctivitis and no other symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk of bird flu to the public remains low. </p> Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:13:58 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2025-01-09-norovirus-outbreaks-rise-across-us <p>There were 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks during the week of Dec. 5, according to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/php/reporting/norostat-data-table.html" title="Outbreaks data">data</a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exceeding any other week in 2024 and the same week in previous years. The agency <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/outbreak-basics/index.html" title="agency statement">said</a> norovirus outbreaks are most common from November to April when people are more frequently in close quarters. </p><p> </p> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:08:10 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/perspective/2024-12-20-everyday-heroes-hospitals-and-caregivers-bring-holiday-joy-all-year-long <p>The arrival of the holiday season and the coming New Year remind us of the swift passage of time. But they also demonstrate the timelessness of human kindness.</p><p>Countless examples of compassion, selflessness, thoughtfulness and care that nurtures amazing recoveries and life-changing moments unfold every day at every hospital across America. These inspiring stories deserve to be heard. Here are just a few recent patient messages highlighted on <a href="/forevergrateful" target="_blank" title="Forever Grateful webpage">AHA’s <strong>Forever Grateful </strong>webpage</a>.</p><ul><li>From the father of a child born with disabilities: <em>“You can tell that a lot of the people there are not just doing their job. They love what they do. At the beginning they didn’t know if [my daughter] was going to live a week. Here she is, 15 years later.”</em></li><li>From a woman whose badly infected leg risked amputation but was saved by expert and dedicated care: <em>“The surgeon said I’ll be walking to visit him. And that’s what I’m going to be doing. To have this kind of care and this kind of love is fortunate. And I’m very grateful.”</em></li><li>From a widow whose husband spent his final days in the care of a comforting and compassionate hospice: <em>“When he became terminal, they helped us on every level. He was so happy. Everything he needed was given to him. They really showed up for us and accepted us for who we were.”</em></li></ul><p>The giving spirit of the holiday season blazes brightly every day of the year in the care that hospitals and health systems provide. No one is turned away from their doors. Caregivers are always there, ready to care, from the onset of life to its end … and every point in between. You are lifesavers and difference makers, and you do more good in the world than you can ever know.</p><p>Please take a few minutes to visit our <a href="/forevergrateful" target="_blank" title="Forever Grateful Webpage"><strong>Forever Grateful </strong>webpage</a> for tools and resources that your organization can use this time of year to say thank you to your amazing health care professionals. </p><p>Despite significant and ongoing challenges this year, hospitals and health systems can be proud of the job they do every day to care for our families, our friends and our neighbors.</p><p>On behalf of the entire AHA team, it is a privilege to represent our member hospitals and health systems all across the country. The AHA continues to work alongside you to ensure hospitals have the critical resources and support they need to continue serving their patients and communities.</p><p>But we know our work is far from over. We also know that next year will bring changes and challenges, as every year does. But our field is resilient. Over the years, we have helped our nation prevail over such difficulties as the Ebola outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic. As providers, we have found ways to continue to deliver great care in the face of recent IV fluid shortages and threatening cyberattacks. And during many natural or manmade disasters, hospitals and health systems are always there to provide patients with healing, hope and compassion. </p><p>The talented and dedicated health care teams who give their all every day have proven time and again that we can face the challenges — navigate them — and yes, continue to advance health in America.</p><p>From all of us at AHA, best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.</p> Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:48:11 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2024-12-06-aspr-seeks-comments-hospital-preparedness-program-funding-formula <p>The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is seeking <a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/News-2024-12-5-HPPFeedback.aspx">public feedback</a> on its Hospital Preparedness Program funding formula. The HPP is the primary source of federal funding for health care preparedness and response. <br><br>ASPR is seeking comments on how it could change data sources and information it uses to determine the formula's risk component. Any potential changes to the formula will influence distribution of HPP funds beginning in fiscal year 2025. Comments are due Dec. 20.</p> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:44:06 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2024-11-05-cdc-pertussis-cases-5x-higher-last-year <p>Reports of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are currently <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/php/surveillance/index.html">five times higher</a> compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rise indicates the U.S. is returning to pre-pandemic patterns of typically 10,000-plus cases each year, and that mitigation measures such as masking and remote learning during the pandemic lowered transmission, the CDC said. The agency said that vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis, but it expects cases to continue to increase among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. </p> Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:03:44 -0600 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-28-cdc-reports-more-cases-e-coli-outbreak-individuals-eating-mcdonalds-prior-illness <p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oct. 25 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/m1025-ecoli-outbreak.html">announced</a> additional reported cases of E. coli from individuals who ate at McDonald's prior to falling ill. As of Oct. 25, the CDC reported a total of 75 cases, with 22 hospitalizations and one death. Cases have been reported in 13 states. The CDC said that Taylor Farms has initiated a voluntary recall of some onions sent to foodservice operators, but there has been no confirmation on the specific ingredient linked to the outbreak. The CDC said it believes the risk to the public is very low. </p> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:02:17 -0500 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-08-hhs-working-address-marburg-outbreak-rwanda-us-risk-low <p>The Department of Health and Human Services Oct. 7 released a <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/10/07/fact-sheet-hhs-actions-to-support-response-marburg-outbreak-in-rwanda.html">fact sheet</a> on actions it is taking to help address the outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda. As of Sunday, Rwanda reported 49 cases and 12 deaths from the virus. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are supporting Rwandan officials on the ground with assessment, testing and other actions. The CDC last week also issued a <a href="https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00517.asp">health advisory</a> on the outbreak. The risk of a Marburg virus outbreak for the U.S. is currently low, but the CDC said clinicians should be aware of the potential of imported cases.</p> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:18:48 -0500 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-07-aha-letter-president-urges-administration-take-immediate-action-address-iv-solution-supply-shortage <p>AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack Oct. 7 sent a <a href="/2024-10-07-aha-president-urging-administration-take-immediate-action-address-iv-solution-supply-shortage-result-helene">letter</a> to President Biden urging the Administration to take immediate actions to increase the supply of IV solutions for hospitals and other health care providers that are struggling with shortages following the closure of a Baxter manufacturing plant as a result of Hurricane Helene.  <br> <br>“Our members are already reporting substantial shortages of these lifesaving and life-supporting products,” Pollack wrote. “Patients across America are already feeling this impact, which will only deepen in the coming days and weeks unless much more is done to alleviate the situation and minimize the impact on patient care.”  <br> <br>The letter includes a number of specific actions the AHA is asking the Administration to take to support hospitals’ ability to care for patients and communities. In addition, the AHA invited the White House and agency experts to join the association in a forum to communicate directly with hospitals and health systems to “inform each other in real time on the status of the situation while we work together to mitigate the impact on patients.” </p> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:01:40 -0500 Disaster/Outbreak Preparedness