Please join the HAI/AR Program in welcoming Jacqueline Williams as the HAI Epidemiologist.  Jacqueline earned a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater College and a Master of Public Health from Old Dominion University.  She held several positions at the Portsmouth Health District, most recently serving as District Deputy Epidemiologist.  In her new role, Jacqueline is the primary VDH point of contact for the National Healthcare Safety Network and reports to Dr. Shaina Bernard.

💡CDC Health Updates 

Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Spread to Neighboring Countries 

• New: In late July 2024, countries bordering the DRC reported cases of clade I mpox.
• CDC Recommendation: Clinicians in the U.S. should be vigilant for mpox in patients who:
  • Have recently been to DRC or neighboring countries (Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic).
  • Present with signs and symptoms of mpox.
• Additional Information:
  • World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
  • Review CDC Health Update and VDH’s mpox webpage for further recommendations.

Infection Prevention and Control of Mpox in Healthcare Settings

• New: CDC updated its mpox infection prevention and control guidance in healthcare settings. 
• CDC Recommendation:
  • Risk categories have been changed based on current evidence for healthcare personnel and patients exposed to a person with mpox.
  • Review updated mpox infection prevention and control guidance in healthcare settings. 

Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the U.S.

• New: CDC Health Alert Network Health Advisory on increased human parvovirus B19 activity in the U.S.
• Virus Details: Parvovirus B19 is a seasonal respiratory virus transmitted through respiratory droplets from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
• CDC Recommendations: Follow the recommended infection control precautions for persons with parvovirus B19 in healthcare settings. 

💡Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI)

Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities Open for Public Comment

• New: Draft of the 2026 FGI Facility Code documents for hospitals, outpatient settings, and residential health, care, and support facilities has been published.
• Public Comment Period: To review the draft documents or submit a public comment (closes on September 30), refer to the FGI website. 

VDH is recruiting healthcare providers to participate in the Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Program for the 2024-25 flu season

• Program: The Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Program monitors influenza trends in Virginia through active healthcare provider participation during the flu season.
• Participating sites are asked to:
  • Submit respiratory specimens from individuals with influenza-like illness (ILI).
  • Have these specimens tested at the state public health laboratory, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), for respiratory viruses.
  • Contact VDH at flu@vdh.virginia.gov to participate at no cost to facilities or patients.

• New: Starting November 1, 2024, CMS will require acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals to submit data to the NHSN about COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. 
• Data Submission: Includes confirmed infections of respiratory illnesses among hospitalized patients, hospital bed census and capacity, and limited patient demographic information (e.g., age). 
• Details: Refer to the FY 2025 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule, pages 2462-2490.  
• Additional information: Visit the CDC website. 

2024 APIC Virginia Educational Conference

✴️ Vitamin IPC. Subscribe to the monthly Vitamin IPC bulletin by VIPTA for essential resources and access to events to enhance frontline healthcare personnel’s infection prevention and control training. 

✴️ Clinician Letter. This emailed letter is sent to all currently licensed healthcare professionals in the Commonwealth to communicate important updates. Access archived letters at Clinician Letters - Clinicians (virginia.gov) 

✴️ Healthcare Professional Newsletter. Subscribe to HCP monthly newsletter for updates on therapeutics, COVID-19, and upcoming activities. Access it and archives at Healthcare Professional Newsletter - Clinicians (virginia.gov).