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Healthcare Professionals Newsletter
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New Respiratory Virus Guidelines
On March 1, CDC announced new respiratory virus guidelines that unite and streamline recommendations for dealing with a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu and RSV.
✅ People with symptoms of a respiratory virus should stay home and away from others until both are true for at least 24 hours:
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Symptoms are getting better overall, and
- No fever (without use of fever-reducing medication)
✅ Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take precautions for the next five days to curb disease spread, such as:
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Taking more steps for cleaner air
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Enhancing hygiene practices
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Wearing a well-fitting mask
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Keeping a distance from others
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Getting testing to inform your actions to prevent spread to others
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📣 Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
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On February 28, CDC recommended that everyone aged 65 years or older get an additional dose of a 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months following the previous dose.
- Older adults continue to be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and make up a disproportionate number of people who are hospitalized due to COVID-19.
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Healthcare providers should utilize the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) to check patients’ vaccine records and to record immunizations.
📣 Meningococcal Disease Outbreak
VDH is reporting an increase in meningococcal disease.
Local health departments continue to report cases associated with the statewide outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y.
Ciprofloxacin and penicillin-resistant N. meningitidis has been detected in northern Virginia.
- Healthcare providers in the northern region are advised to suspend use of ciprofloxacin as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent prophylaxis failure.
- Alternative recommended antibiotic options include rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin.
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online Commonwealth of Virginia forms and action plans, including school entrance health form.
📣 Nirsevimab Reservation Program
On February 5, Sanofi launched a new program for pediatricians to reserve doses of the immunization, nirsevimab (Beyfortus), for the 2024-2025 season.
In hopes of mitigating the nirsevimab supply issues for the 2024-2025 season, the program will apply to private purchases of the monoclonal antibody, which protects infants and high-risk toddlers from RSV.
📣 CDC Mpox Clusters Alert
On February 12, CDC released an alert notifying providers that small mpox clusters continue to occur in the U.S. Providers should continue taking patients' sexual history and recommending two doses of JYNNEOS vaccine to those at risk of mpox.
Providers are encouraged to continue to promote vaccination and ensure readiness in recognition of mpox through:
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Testing
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Rapid reporting of suspected cases to the local health department
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Patient management
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Infection prevention
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Waste management
These comprehensive toolkits give healthcare providers with the latest strategies and information, including
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Better early detection and diagnosis
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Reducing risks
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Preventing avoidable hospitalizations
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Aiding dementia caregiving efforts
With these resources at their disposal, healthcare professionals in Virginia are better equipped than ever to provide high-quality care and support to individuals and families affected by dementia.
If you have any questions or would like to be a Healthy Brian Virginia partner, please reach out to Rachel Coney. Check out the website for additional resources.
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Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention
VDH's Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) preparatory course and exam to a full- or part-time staff member who leads infection prevention and control activities in a long-term care facility within the state of Virginia.
Training sessions will be held May-July 2024. Seats are limited and granted on a first come, first serve basis.
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Virginia Memory Project
The Virginia Memory Project is a multi-purpose dementia registry that
- Focuses on brain health, memory and caregiving
- Collects state data related to dementia diagnoses and individual responses to the survey
- Ensures data is inclusive of all those who are impacted
- Helps develop resources and education needed to address ADRD while also providing a pathway to care for those in need
Join us as we discuss the Virginia Memory Project, its impact on brain health and how we can work together toward a dementia-free Virginia.
March 6, 2024 | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
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NACCHO Webinar: Long COVID Overview with CDC
Please join NACCHO and CDC on March 6 at 2 p.m. ET, for a presentation on long COVID featuring Priti Patel, MD, MPH, and Sharon Saydah, PhD, MHS, from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The webinar will provide an overview of Long COVID, explore existing research and include time for a Q&A.
Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow 2024
Join us at the Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow 2024 for new tips and tricks! Discover fresh workplace education tips, ways to beat anxiety and boost your educator skills. Plus, get free tools to start using lessons right away!
Watch the HAI & AR Education and Training website for training dates in March and summer sessions starting in May.
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