CDPH publishes new Zika resources for physicians The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has published new and revised Zika virus resources for physicians on its website. The evolving Zika virus outbreak and science have presented challenges for providers who are asked to educate, counsel, screen, monitor and manage patients with Zika virus exposure. “We hope these resources will aid health care providers in meeting the needs of California’s families,” the agency said. These materials can be accessed through the CDPH Zika webpage. The new resources include: 1) CDPH Zika Screening Algorithm; 2) CDPH Zika Virus Information for Healthcare ... March 3, 2017 General Public Health, Zika Virus, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
$1.1 billion in Zika funding approved by Congress Funding for public health efforts against the Zika virus was finally approved by Congress with the passage of a stopgap measure to avoid a federal government shutdown. The spending measure includes $1.1 billion to fight the virus, capping a fierce months-long debate over the money that dismayed public health experts. The White House first requested $1.9 billion in funds to fight Zika in the spring. But Republicans initially resisted the request, before finally putting forward their own $1.1 billion Zika funding bill in July. The Republicans' bill failed to pass ... October 13, 2016 General Public Health, U.S. Congress, Zika Virus, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
California to get federal funds to help identify and treat babies born with microcephaly The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it has awarded more than $16 million to 40 states and territories, including California, to establish, enhance and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly – a serious birth defect of the brain – and other adverse outcomes caused by Zika virus infection. According to the announcement, the California Department of Public Health will receive $720,000. The funding will help states and territories ensure that infants and their families are referred to appropriate health and social services. The awards will ... August 8, 2016 Awards, General Public Health, Zika Virus, Maternal and Child Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Prepare for Zika transmission in the U.S. with August 10 webinar The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) are hosting an important one-hour webinar next week focused on transmission of the Zika virus in the United States. The webinar will be next Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at 4 p.m. PT. All interested parties are invited to participate in this free webinar. CDC Medical Epidemiologist Susan Hills will present an update on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the current outbreak. CDC Medical Officer Kiran Perkins, M.D., MPH, will present on the implications for pregnant ... August 5, 2016 General Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health, Webinars, Zika Virus, CDC 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDC urges aggressive screening of pregnant women for Zika The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging physicians to be more aggressive in screening pregnant women for the Zika virus. The new guidance comes amid growing concerns about Zika, which, if contracted by pregnant women, can result in severe birth defects — including microcephaly, which stunts children’s brain development. It has also been implicated in miscarriages and diseases like Guillain-Barre, a neurological disorder that causes temporary paralysis. The CDC update recommends that all pregnant women in the United States and its territories should be “assessed for possible ... August 5, 2016 General Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health, Zika Virus, CDC, Infectious Diseases 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH publishes FAQ on ordering and interpreting Zika lab tests The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory has published an FAQ designed to answer providers’ frequently asked questions about ordering and interpreting Zika laboratory tests and tests for other flaviviruses. Because the way Zika test results are applied to clinical care is rapidly changing, CDPH published this document to clarify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent recommendations. Additionally, the FAQ addresses the current limitations of commercial laboratory testing for Zika in California. To read the FAQ, click here. If you have additional questions about ... July 14, 2016 General CDC, Department of Public Health, Zika Virus, Blood Testing 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH hosting provider call on Zika virus The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is convening a conference call for physicians and other health care providers on the Zika virus. The conference call will take place Wednesday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The conference call will look at California's Zika preparedness activities; global, national and California Zika cases; laboratory update; guidance for the prevention of the sexual transmission of Zika; infection control issues; and monitoring mosquito vectors. There will also be a question and answer session, so physicians can find answers to their specific ... April 19, 2016 General Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Zika Virus, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH to host provider call on Zika virus this Wednesday, Feb. 10 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is convening a conference call for health care providers on Wednesday, February 10, from 9-10 a.m. The call will provide information and updates about the Zika virus, and give providers the opportunity to ask questions. Please plan to join the call in groups within your organization to maximize availability of conference call lines. To join the conference, call dial (866) 216-6835(866) 216-6835 FREE and key 839641 as the participant passcode. For questions about the call, please contact Cheryl Starling, R.N., nurse consultant and project ... February 9, 2016 General Public Health, Zika Virus, Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases 0 0 Comment Read More »
AMA publishes online Zika resource center for physicians On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency as the spread of the Zika virus has moved into more than 20 countries in Latin America. This rare move by the WHO signals the seriousness of the outbreak and gives countries powerful new tools to fight it. The WHO is concerned about a possible link between Zika virus and microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with brain damage and unusually small heads. Reported cases of microcephaly have risen sharply in Brazil, where Zika ... February 3, 2016 General Maternal and Child Health, Public Health, American Medical Association, WHO, Zika Virus 0 0 Comment Read More »
