In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan, explores the complex world of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) alongside two esteemed guests: Dr. Dennis Bente, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at The University of Texas Medical Branch, and Dr. Saima Ali, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Indus Hospital and Health Network. Together they discuss the origins, transmission, and geographical spread of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), discussing its substantial impact on rural health systems and the essential role of early diagnostic testing. With a focus on the challenges faced by health care workers and the crucial need for preventative measures and rapid response, this episode is a compelling look at how interconnected our global health landscape has become. Tune in to learn about the latest developments in vaccines, the significance of personal protective equipment, and the need for heightened awareness and preparedness in combating this often-overlooked yet serious pathogen.

Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org.

Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.

Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine (Adult section)

Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN)

Dr. Saima Ali, FCPS, MHPE, is the head of the Department of Emergency Medicine (Adult Section) at the Indus Hospital and Health Network in Pakistan. She is a clinician educator and has an interest in EM curriculum development, and contextual educational research, and is an advocate of patients’ rights, safety, and maintaining the highest standards of quality healthcare in Emergency Medicine, rooted in social accountability.

Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

The University of Texas Medical Branch

Dr. Dennis Bente, DVM, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at UTMB Health. Bente is a globally-trained virologist, research scientist, and educator working to understand better the effects of tick-borne viruses on human and animal health. He co-hosts the podcast "The Infectious Science Podcast," which takes complex infectious disease topics and turns them into accessible and enjoyable listening for a broad audience.

Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA

Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

• NETEC FAQ: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF): https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1693
• NETEC SBAR: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF): https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1865
• NETEC Health Care Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Preparedness Checklist: https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1724
• NETEC Laboratory Resources: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever...

In this episode, NETEC’s Jill Morgan is joined by Dr. Joshua Wong, an internal medicine physician, an officer with the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and a medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dengue Branch, to unpack the complexities of dengue and its global impact. As dengue cases reach record highs, they discuss the challenge of differentiating dengue from other illnesses and the crucial need for proper recognition and clinical management. The episode delves into the critical phases of dengue, the importance of accurate diagnosis through testing, and the protocols for managing severe dengue cases. With dengue posing a growing threat beyond traditional tropics, Dr. Wong also explores travel-related risks and prevention strategies and shares educational resources now available for clinicians. Join us for this essential episode to better understand the rising threat of dengue and the measures needed to control and treat it effectively.

Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org.

Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.

Medical Officer, NCEZID/DVBD/Dengue Branch

Joshua Wong is a medical officer and epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stationed at the Dengue Branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his residency training in the Global Health Track in Internal Medicine at Stanford University. He served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dengue Branch. After his fellowship, he remained at the branch to continue working on dengue vaccine activities and support the emergency response to dengue both domestically and abroad.

Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA

Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

• CDC Dengue Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/index.html
• CDC Areas with Risk of Dengue: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areas-with-risk/index.html
• CDC Dengue Clinical Management Pocket Guide: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/pocketguide/index.html
• WHO Dengue Resources: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
• Pan American Health Organization Spanish language resources: https://www.paho.org/es/herramienta-interactiva-algoritmos-para-manejo-clinico-casos-dengue
• Dengue: A Growing Problem With New Interventions

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, Lauren Sauer, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and director of the Special Pathogens Research Network with NETEC, dives deep into the current state of H5N1 wastewater testing and surveillance with Dr. Jana Broadhurst.

Dr. Broadhurst, an associate professor in the UNMC College of Medicine and medical director at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit Clinical Laboratory, shares her expertise on the complexities of monitoring H5N1, specifically focusing on the efficacy and significance of wastewater surveillance. They explore how wastewater monitoring has evolved, its role in early detection, and its integration with clinical testing strategies. Additionally, the conversation covers the challenges faced in clinical settings when diagnosing H5N1 and the innovative approaches being developed to enhance surveillance and detection.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of H5N1 surveillance, the importance of community-based monitoring, and the next steps needed to improve diagnostic capabilities to safeguard public health.

Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org.

Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.

Jana Broadhurst, MD, PhD, DTM&H, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she directs the Infectious Diseases Diagnostics and Biopreparedness Council, Emerging Pathogens Laboratory, and U.S. Region 7 Special Pathogens Treatment Center clinical laboratory. As a clinical pathologist, microbiologist, and immunologist with expertise in emerging and high-consequence infectious disease research and response, Dr. Broadhurst works to develop and implement innovative tools to improve patient- and community-centered outcomes during infectious disease emergencies.

Lauren is an Associate Professor in the College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Core Faculty of the UNMC Global Center for Health Security. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the director of the Special Pathogens Research Network.

She previously served as Director of Operations for the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness where she ran the inpatient COVID-19 biobank and served on the COVID-19 research steering committee for JHU. Lauren’s research focuses on human subjects research in bio-emergencies and disasters, in particular, ethical implementation of research and navigating the regulatory environment. The goal of her research is to provide health care facilities with the tools needed to conduct a clinical and operational research response in emergencies.

• NETEC Influenza A (H5N1) Resources: https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/influenza/h5n1
• NETEC Resource Library: https://repository.netecweb.org

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.

Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States