CMS Regulatory Requirements for Emergency Preparedness Programs

Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, May 13, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. as we explore CMS emergency preparedness regulations, including recent updates that now include emerging infectious diseases. *This webinar is complimentary for all GHA members. Non-Members reach out to lcason@gha.org for registration information.

Future Meetings

See all GHA meetings.

Resources

GHA Coronavirus Information

COVID-19 information and resources.

Ebola

The Department of Public Health (DPH) offers answers to your Ebola questions.

State Epidemiologist

24-hour access to a State Epidemiologist: 1-866-PUB-HLTH.

CDC Information

Visit www.cdc.gov to stay up to date on current information.

Disaster Mental Health

The Georgia Disaster Mental Health website addresses the mental health components of disasters.

Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) Visit to access behavioral health services.

SAMHSA: Preventing Suicide

Visit the suicide prevention resource page.

CDC Says Measles Cases are Most Likely Underreported as Outbreak Swells in Texas

Measles cases are most likely being underreported in the United States as public health officials scramble to find resources to address a ballooning outbreak in the Southwest, according to a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far this year, 747 cases have been recorded in the United States, according to NBC News’ tally.

WHO Launches First-Ever Guidelines on Meningitis Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

The World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever global guidelines for meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care, aiming to speed up detection, ensure timely treatment, and improve long-term care for those affected. By bringing together the latest evidence-based recommendations, the guidelines provide a critical tool for reducing deaths and disability caused by the disease.

AI Screening for Opioid Use Disorder Associated with Fewer Hospital Readmissions

An artificial intelligence (AI)-driven screening tool, developed by a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research team, successfully identified hospitalized adults at risk for opioid use disorder and recommended referral to inpatient addiction specialists. The AI-based method was just as effective as a health provider-only approach in initiating addiction specialist consultations and recommending monitoring of opioid withdrawal.

Repurposing a Blood Pressure Drug May Prevent Vision Loss in Inherited Blinding Diseases

New studies in rats suggest the drug reserpine, approved in 1955 for high blood pressure, might treat the blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa. No therapy exists for this rare inherited disease, which starts affecting vision from childhood. A report on the studies, conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was published on April 15 in eLife. The discovery of reserpine’s effectiveness may greatly speed therapeutics for retinitis pigmentosa and many other inherited retinal dystrophies.

FDA Warns About Fake Ozempic in U.S. Supply Chain

On April 14, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged patients and doctors to check that their Ozempic prescriptions are legitimate after the agency seized several hundred units of fake versions of the diabetes drug in the United States. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy, informed the FDA on April 3 that counterfeit 1-milligram injections were being distributed outside its authorized supply chain in the U.S., the agency said in a news release.

Marketside Celery Sticks Recalled Due to Possible Health Risk

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 4 in/1.6oz Marketside Celery Sticks with best if used by date of March 23, 2025. This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later use. This advisory is being initiated due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

NEWSLETTERS

ASPR Health Care Readiness Bulletin - April 14

ASPR HPH Sector Engagement Opportunities - April 14

ASPR HPH Sector Highlights (Cybersecurity) - April 11

Georgia Weekly Influenza Report - Week 14

MESH Weekly Situational Awareness Brief - April 11

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - April 17

News and Notes - April 11

EDUCATION

Emergency Preparedness Systems Training:

Everbridge Training

GHC911 Training

Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar

May 8

Governor's Hurricane Conference

May 11-16

Preparedness Summit

April 29-May 2

RESOURCES AND REMINDERS

Reminder: Identify, Isolate and Inform!

Identify, Isolate and Inform: It is important to continue to ask travel questions. The purpose of this notice is to remind healthcare providers about actions to take in Georgia when evaluating patients for possible serious communicable diseases!

Travel Clinical Assistant (TCA)

The Travel Clinical Assistant provides post-travel clinical information on travel-related diseases for 231 countries. Diseases with recent outbreaks occurring in the last two years are listed first.

Violent Actors and Cyber Criminals Threaten Emergency Services Sector

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis sent an assessment of threats to the Emergency Services Sector— police, firefighters, and other first responders— from violent extremists, other physical threat actors, or malicious cyber actors.