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Division of Bacterial Diseases (DBD) News Bulletin

Winter 2015

In This Issue

  1. World Pneumonia Day
  2. Travel Safety Reminder, New OD Staff
  3. Meetings
  4. Awards, Epi-Aids & Outbreak Investigations
  5. Communications, Publications
Katie Bowden

Photo: Katie Bowden, biologist in DBD’s Pertussis and Diphtheria Laboratory, working at a NuAire Biological Safety Cabinet.

Awards, Epi-Aids & Outbreak Investigations

Sustainability Star

MVPDB’s Katie Bowden, a biologist in DBD’s Pertussis and Diphtheria Laboratory (PDL), and other PDL staff were recognized by CDC’s Office of Safety, Security, and Asset Management for their exemplary action for positive, sustainable change in the workplace for completing a project to replace 11 outdated Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) in lab Building 17. The state-of-the-art replacement units being installed will increase energy savings and improve safety for CDC workers.

The NuAire units have user-friendly control panels, real-time monitoring, automated alarms, airflow monitors, and a variety of proper light settings. These new settings will provide a safer lab experience for workers by reducing the possibility of exposure to harmful aerosols. The BSCs’ energy consumption feature is estimated to save about $2,000 per unit over a 15-year lifespan.

Along with energy savings, real-time monitoring provides immediate alerts and alarms if the system is not operating safely. In addition, the new cabinets are more ergonomic.

 

Epi-Aids & Outbreak Investigations

Group A Streptococcal Epi-Aid—Sangamon County, Illinois, November 2015. A team was deployed to assist the Illinois Department of Public Health in determining the extent of an outbreak in a long-term care facility, evaluating infection control practices, and implementing control and prevention measures.

Meningococcal Carriage Evaluation—Rhode Island, September 2015. A team of epidemiology and laboratory staff was deployed to conduct the third round of a Neisseria meningitidis carriage evaluation following a serogroup B outbreak at a college.

Sana Ahmed, EIS officer

Photo: DBD’s Sana Ahmed, EIS officer, collecting an environmental sample from a shower faucet during a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak Epi-Aid in Hannibal, Missouri, in November 2015.

Meningococcal Carriage Evaluation—Oregon, October 2015. A team of epidemiology and laboratory staff was deployed to conduct the third round of a Neisseria meningitidis carriage evaluation following a serogroup B outbreak at a university.

Legionnaires’ Disease Epi-Aid—Quincy, Illinois, September 2015. A team was deployed to assist the Illinois Department of Public Health to investigate and respond to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease associated with a veterans’ home.

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak—Cruise ship, November 2015. Support was provided to a cruise ship in investigating and responding to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires’ Disease Epi-Aid—Hannibal, Missouri, November 2015. A team was deployed to assist the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services to investigate and respond to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease associated with a hotel.

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