COCA Email Updates: November 23, 2015 – December 7, 2015

Available for download: December 7, 2015, COCA Email Update

---

COCA News and Announcements

Additional COCA Conference Calls

Free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, CECH, and AAVSB/RACE) are available for most calls. More information about free CE.

---

CDC Emergency Response – CDC Response to 2014 Ebola in the United States and West Africa

NEW: Assessment of Persons Under Investigation Having Low (But not Zero) Risk of Exposure to Ebola
This assessment provides guidance in the evaluation of ill patients with low (but not zero) risk of exposure to Ebola based on a complete travel, exposure, and health history.

updated: Case Counts

CDC News and Announcements

NEW: Not Enough Health Care Providers Know about PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine taken daily that can be used to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is for people without HIV who are at very high risk for acquiring it from sex or injection drug use. Recent studies indicate that some primary health care providers have never heard of PrEP. New CDC estimates underscore the need to increase awareness of this daily pill that can prevent HIV infection.

CDC Science Clips: Volume 7, Issue: 47 – (CDC)

Each week select science clips are shared with the public health community to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

Public Health Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness and Response - (CDC)

Find preparedness resources for all hazards.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Training Resources for Clinicians – (CDC)

Find online and in-person training resources.

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter  

Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency – (CDC)

Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters – (CDC)

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

The MMWR series is CDC’s primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. To subscribe electronically, go to. Electronically Subscribe.

November 27, 2015 / Vol. 64 / No. 46 Download .pdf document of this issue

• Vital Signs: Estimated Percentages and Numbers of Adults with Indications for Preexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV Acquisition — United States, 2015
• Vital Signs: Increased Medicaid Prescriptions for Preexposure Prophylaxis Against HIV infection — New York, 2012–2015

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Seasonal Influenza

Pregnant? Get a Flu Shot!  

What You Should Know for the 2015-2016 Influenza Season

Information for Health Professionals

Weekly Flu View – November 7 (CDC)

Flu View is a weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by CDC Influenza Division. All data are preliminary and may change as CDC receives more reports.

Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings - November 19 (US Department of State)

The U.S. Department of State issues Travel Warnings when long-term, protracted conditions make a country dangerous or unstable. Travel Warnings recommend that Americans avoid or carefully consider the risk of travel to that country. The State Department also issues Travel Warnings when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate, or because of a drawdown of State Department staff.

Food, Drug and Device Safety

NEW: Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad - (CDC)
CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, and public health officials in several states are investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) infections. As of November 23, 2015, 19 people across 7 states have been infected with the strain. Preliminary laboratory evidence indicates that a celery and onion diced blend produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This product was used to make the Costco rotisserie chicken salad eaten by ill people in this outbreak.

NEW: Compounded Multivitamins by Glades Drugs: Voluntary Recall - High Amounts of Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) - (FDA)
Consumption of this product may result in vitamin D toxicity, which may be severe and may lead to life-threatening outcomes if left untreated.Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Health care providers should collect and return any products subject to this recall to the company at: Glades Drugs, 109 S. Lake Ave., Pahokee, FL 33476.

NEW: Intravascular Medical Devices: FDA Safety Communication - Lubricious Coating Separation - (FDA)
FDA wants to make health care providers aware of the possibility that hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic coatings may separate from medical devices and potentially cause serious injuries to patients. FDA believes the overall benefits of these devices continue to outweigh the risks. However, health care providers should be aware of potential problems and consider certain actions prior to use.

MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program – (FDA)

MedWatch is your Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gateway for clinically important safety information and reporting serious problems with human medical products.

FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – (HHS/USDA/FDA/CDC/NIH)

Foodsafety.gov lists notices of recalls and alerts from both FDA and USDA. Visitors to the site can report a problem or make inquiries.