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Harmful algal blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are dense layers of single-celled, toxin producing, blue green algae, known as Cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae proliferate in bodies of freshwater such as ponds, lakes, reservoirs and slow-moving streams. Many species of cyanobacteria have the capability to produce algal toxins, known as Cyanotoxins. It is important to verify and monitor that a toxin is being produced in a specific waterway or drinking water system to determine the true risk to a population. Cyanotoxins, vary in structure and toxicity and are classified by the toxic effect they have on organisms.
Major cyanotoxin exposure pathways include consuming contaminated drinking water, aerosol inhalation and direct contact. After ingestion or exposure, these toxins are actively absorbed by mammals, fish and birds. For humans, the major exposure routes are direct contact with contaminated recreational waters and consuming inadequately treated drinking water. Water Treatment plants using surface water must be aware of the hazards of toxin producing cyanobacteria.
Cyanotoxins can cause various health effects ranging from mild skin rash to serious illness or, in rare circumstances, death.
The Bureau of Laboratories (BOL), Chemistry and Toxicology Division, Environmental Chemistry Section’s Environmental Organic Unit performs determination and quantitation of cyanotoxins in drinking water. Cyanotoxins that tested in BOL are:
- Hepatotoxins, effects liver- Microcystins-11 congeners, Nodularin, and Cylindrospermopsin.
- Neurotoxins, effects central nervous system- Anatoxin-a.
Analysis of Microcystins and Nodularin in drinking water will use cellular lysis to release toxins from cells and solid phase extraction to capture the analytes followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to quantitate the toxin level.
Analysis of Anatoxin and Cylindrospermopsin will utilize cellular lysis using multiple freeze-thaw cycles to release toxins from cells followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MSMS) to quantitate the toxin level.
The BOL is the preferred laboratory for the analysis of the Statewide Public Water Supply Monitoring for Cyanotoxins Related to Harmful Algal Blooms Program, which is carried out by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, Emerging Contaminants Unit. The data is generalizable to the State’s surface water systems with results available quickly, within seven days from the collection of the sample. Thereby enabling immediate action to protect the population health, when needed. There are 52 sites across Michigan participating this program, with12 of these sites enrolled in weekly analysis for Microcystins, Nodularin, Anatoxin and Cylindrospermopsin and 30 sites enrolled in biweekly analysis for Microcystins and Nodularin. On the average, BOL performs 21,431 tests annually in support of the Statewide Public Water Supply Monitoring for Cyanotoxins Related to Harmful Algal Blooms Program.
 Aerial view of harmful algal bloom in Lake Michigan | Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Wastewater Surveillance for Influenza A Virus and H5 Subtype Concurrent with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Outbreak in Cattle and Poultry and Associated Human Cases — United States, May 12 – July 13, 2024
Abstract
As part of the response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus outbreak in U.S. cattle and poultry and the associated human cases, CDC and partners are monitoring influenza A virus levels and detection of the H5 subtype in wastewater. Among 48 states and the District of Columbia that performed influenza A testing of wastewater during May 12–July 13, 2024, a weekly average of 309 sites in 38 states had sufficient data for analysis, and 11 sites in four states reported high levels of influenza A virus. H5 subtype testing was conducted at 203 sites in 41 states, with H5 detections at 24 sites in nine states. For each detection or high level, CDC and state and local health departments evaluated data from other influenza surveillance systems and partnered with wastewater utilities and agriculture departments to investigate potential sources. Among the four states with high influenza A virus levels detected in wastewater, three states had corresponding evidence of human influenza activity from other influenza surveillance systems. Among the 24 sites with H5 detections, 15 identified animal sources within the sewershed or adjacent county, including eight milk-processing inputs. Data from these early investigations can help health officials optimize the use of wastewater surveillance during the upcoming respiratory illness season.
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The National Disaster & Emergency Management University
FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and National Emergency Training Center (NETC) are joining forces to become the FEMA National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU).
The transformation to NDEMU will allow for stronger collaboration and partnerships among government agencies, academia, and non-profit organizations. These partnerships will facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and coordinated response efforts, strengthening the nation's overall resilience to disasters and emergencies.
The University will expand its curricula to fill known knowledge gaps tailored to the diverse needs of emergency management professionals.
In addition, a new FEMA web based independent study course, IS-13: EMI Conduct and Behavior, will be required for all in person FEMA courses starting on October 1.
CDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024
The updated 2024 CDC Program Evaluation Framework is designed to summarize and organize essential elements of program evaluation. The framework maintains the steps for evaluation planning and implementation but refines content and step names. The standards for high-quality evaluation remain central to the framework, although they have been updated to five federal program evaluation standards. The most substantial change from the 1999 framework is the addition of three cross-cutting actions that are core tenets to incorporate within each evaluation step: engage collaboratively, advance equity, and learn from and use insights.
Recording now available: Developing a Response Plan to Misinformation in Public Health
The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has made their webinar recording, Developing a Response Plan to Misinformation in Public Health, available for viewing. The webinar slide deck and accompanying Guide to Misinformation, is also available on the PHCC website.
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2024 Rural and Ready Symposium
Register now for the annual Rural and Ready Symposium being held October 23 and 24 at the Bay Mills Resort and Casino in Brimley, Michigan.
This event aims to enhance the response capabilities of first responders, medical providers, and all others involved in emergency planning and response with a focus on rural communities. The topics include U.S. Coast Guard roles and resources, Incident Command System, mental health resources for first responders, review and lessons learned from the 2023 Blastomycosis Outbreak in Delta County, and a post-disaster family reunification tabletop exercise.
Nursing, EMS, MCOLES, Social Work and Firefighter CEUs pending.
October 23, Noon - 5:00 p.m.
October 24, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pediatric Issues Informing Current and Future Disaster Planning
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE) and ASPR’s Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PDCOEs) invite you to this webinar. Pediatric professionals will discuss how PDCOE efforts are shaping current and future pediatric disaster care planning. Panelists will share tangible examples and best practices of how to integrate pediatric
issues in healthcare preparedness plans, trainings, and exercises.
October 3
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. EST/EDT
Health Equity in Emergency Preparedness and Response
The CDC’s Office of Health Equity (OHE) and partners will discuss the importance of health equity in emergency response and preparedness. OHE and CDC’s Office of Readiness and Response will present their emergency response work, including the establishment of the Chief Health Equity Officer unit in CDC emergency responses. Additional presenters include subject matter experts from Choose Healthy Life and National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services.
October 23
3:00 p.m. EST/EDT
ICS 400 Advanced ICS Command and General Staff Complex Incidents
The onsite ICS 400 course is being hosted by the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care on January 22-23, 2025.
This course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). The target audience for this course is senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management capacity in an area command or multi-agency coordination entity.
The course objectives are:
- Explain how major incidents engender special management challenges.
- Describe the circumstances in which an area command is established.
- Describe the circumstances in which multiagency coordination systems are established.
Registration deadline is January 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Prerequisite certificates: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, and ICS-300 must be uploaded to students MI-TRAIN account by 11:59 pm on January 14, 2025, or student will be withdrawn from the course.
Course ID 1029045
January 22-23, 2025
Joint Activities Room (JAR)
Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS, and Systems of Care
1001 Terminal Road
Lansing, MI 48906
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The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care (BEPESoC), within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of Michigan's citizens and communities.
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1NU90TP922062-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care | 1001 Terminal Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 | 517-335-8150
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