Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists

For healthcare and non-healthcare facilities, for experts and non-experts: CSTE recently developed guidance to support STLT health departments who may be initiating or currently conducting the review of Water Management Programs with additional information and recommendations to consider implementing. The guidance is intended to support STLT health jurisdictions’ primary prevention activities and Legionnaires’ disease outbreak investigations. Learn more: bit.ly/3Zvq9MG. #epi #epidemiology

It’s #CSTE Stories from the Field Day! Today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Office of Health Informatics (OHI) shares how they adapted the state’s Self-Reporting Application (SR) to improve response during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed residents to report symptoms while staying safely isolated. Originally developed to allow residents to report Ebola symptoms, SR was quickly adapted by OHI to send a secure reporting link via email or text to meet increased surveillance needs. Post-pandemic, continued funding for data modernization was used to improve SR, including the ability to add conditions and the flexibility to easily update the interview form. These improvements paid off In April 2024, when OHI activated the app for measles monitoring that could be done faster and with fewer staff. Read the full story to learn more about Wisconsin’s solution for safe and effective symptom monitoring during outbreaks: bit.ly/3zmcX1M. Visit stories.cste.org to access nearly 180 more stories of epi innovation! #PublicHealth #CSTEStories

Foodborne illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths every year. Each September during National Food Safety Education Month, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights key steps for consumers to prevent foodborne illness and to raise awareness about who is at increased risk of getting severe illness from food poisoning. Sharing simple food safety tips with your network can help lower the chance of your community getting sick. Learn more: bit.ly/3TrK639. #NFSEM24

#PublicHealth partners: Check out U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s Risk Less, Do More campaign features free sample social media posts, graphics, and talking points to encourage at risk populations to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and RSV. You can help amplify and extend the reach of the campaign’s messages and activities among priority audiences. Outreach materials also include fact sheets, posters, flyers, and more. Use these materials in your jurisdiction today! bit.ly/3XnH5lg. #epi #epidemiology

Need help updating to the latest #PublicHealth IT standards and data exchange networks? The Data Modernization Implementation Center Program can help! Developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, National Network of Public Health Institutes and Public Health Accreditation Board, the Program supports state, local, territorial, and freely associated public health agencies with to improve the timely prevention and detection of public health threats by reducing the burden of data exchange between public health agencies, health care, and the communities they serve. Implementation Centers will provide resources and support to public health agencies for implementation activities. To be considered for Wave 1 (2024) of the Implementation Center Program, public health agencies must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by October 15, 2024. Three ‘Office Hours’ sessions for further help and guidance are also available on the following dates: • TODAY, Wednesday, September 11 at 3:00 pm EDT • Monday, September 16 at 12:00 pm EDT • Thursday, September 26 at 4:00 pm EDT Learn more about the program and join the Office Hours sessions here: bit.ly/3z2yFYM. #epi #epidemiology

This Wednesday! Don’t miss Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) webinar, “Enhancing Response and Recovery Coordination in Rural, Frontier, and Tribal Communities,” on Sept. 11 at 1:00 pm EDT. The webinar will discuss challenges and solutions in coordinating response and recovery efforts in rural and frontier communities. Presenters will also share strategies to enhance coordination with tribal communities. More details here: bit.ly/3AT3U9c. #epi #epidemiology #PublicHealth

Tomorrow, September 7, #CSTE proudly joins Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recognizing World Field Epidemiology Day, a global movement to recognize and raise awareness of the vital role of field epidemiologists in protecting the health of populations. Why September 7? On this date in 1854, John Snow took his findings from his now-famous investigation of the Broad Street cholera outbreak to local officials, leading them to take action and remove the handle of the offending water pump. Learn more: bit.ly/3THXoXA. #epidemiology #epi #PublicHealth

The #CSTE National Office is closed today, Monday, September 2 in honor of Labor Day. This day is an important reminder of the impact of a safe and healthy U.S. workforce. #PublicHealth workers especially have faced increased negative mental health symptoms during the past four years. Learn more about work stress and mental health: bit.ly/3Qg80vR. #epi #epidemiology

#CSTE joins Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recognizing tomorrow, August 31, as International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This year’s theme is "Together We Can," which highlights the strength of coming together and standing in support of those connected to the tragedy of overdose. More information on amplifying IOAD can be found here: bit.ly/3z7RI3B. And check out a few of the resources that #CSTE has developed to help improve overdose surveillance capacity here: bit.ly/3pY40U5. #IOAD2024 #CSTE #epi

The newly redesigned Council for Outbreak Response: HAI and AR (CORHA) website is now live! The updated site features a modern design, enhanced navigation, and a comprehensive curated resource library to support your outbreak response activities, wherever healthcare is delivered. Designed to enhance user experience, the refreshed site makes it easier to access valuable resources and stay informed about the latest outbreak news. Explore all the new features by visiting corha.org. #HAI #AR #Healthcare #CORHA