Measles

Measles cases are on the rise in the U.S., and healthcare providers are advised to watch for patients with febrile rash illness, symptoms consistent with measles, and recent travel to countries with outbreaks. Additional recommendations for healthcare providers are detailed in a recent CDC communication (1/25/2024) and a VDH clinician letter (2/13/2024). For further information, please visit the following websites: 

• VDH measles website 
• Measles playbook by APIC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force 
• CDC’s Project Firstline flyer on measles

Mpox

Since November 2023, Virginia has experienced an increase in mpox cases. A February 13, 2024 VDH clinician letter notes that healthcare providers are encouraged to offer mpox vaccine to people at increased risk, consider mpox in their differential diagnoses, test persons with suspected mpox rash, and manage illness with supportive care and antiviral medications, as needed.  

• If your healthcare facility is unsure about your disinfectant's effectiveness against the mpox virus, a new VDH resource can help you verify. 

VDH HAI & AR Dialysis Coordinator

Did you know that the VDH HAI & AR Program has a dialysis infection prevention coordinator? Suzanne Capps, RN, a-IPC, joined the team in April 2023, bringing a wealth of outpatient hemodialysis experience and an in-depth understanding of infection prevention challenges and best practices in this setting. Suzanne leads the HAI & AR Program’s hemodialysis patient safety initiative and collaborates with dialysis partners and Regional Infection Preventionists in Virginia to conduct onsite infection prevention and control assessments and provide training to improve patient safety.  

Visit the VDH website to learn more about assessment processes. Dialysis facilities may request an assessment online. 

Ciprofloxacin and Penicillin-Resistant Neisseria meningitidis in Northern Virginia

Ciprofloxacin and penicillin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis was first detected in northern Virginia from 2020 to 2022. Incorporating rifampin or ceftriaxone for contacts residing in regions with ciprofloxacin and penicillin resistance, alongside considering the inclusion of azithromycin as post-exposure prophylaxis, can help mitigate the risk of prophylaxis failure. VDH also recommends the following actions: 

• Ensure timely submission of Neisseria meningitidis isolates to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services for serotyping and whole genome sequencing.   
• Ensure that all patients at increased risk for meningococcal disease are up to date on MenACWY vaccine.  
• Continue to encourage routine administration of MenACWY vaccine in adolescents. A dose of MenACWY vaccine is required for students enrolled prior to 7th and 12th grade. 

• What diseases must be reported to the health department 
• Who is required to report 
• How the report should be shared 
• Access additional information such as the updated reportable disease list, laboratory reporting, outbreak reporting and more. 

Virginia Long-Term Care Clinician Network (LTC-CN). Join an organized network of medical directors, physicians, and advanced practice providers who work in long-term care facilities and other congregate care settings across Virginia with the purpose of sharing best clinical practices. 

• Monthly Newsletter: Receive a monthly newsletter that focuses on updates pertinent to long-term care in Virginia, including infection prevention guidelines, treatment options, and other updates. 
• Monthly Forum: Access to monthly virtual forums where issues can be discussed with a group of peers practicing in the same care setting. 
• Resources: Access to a central website with free resources. 

Cuppa Tea with an IP.  Cuppa Tea with an IP is a weekly chance to chat live with a VDH IP and subject matter experts about your infection prevention and control questions. We can’t wait to hear your questions and see how we can help. Register once for the Cuppa Tea with an IP meetings and attend whenever you have questions or need a little IP peer boost.