Infectious Disease Preparedness
Learning Community Webinar
Basics of Planning for an Infectious Disease Outbreak
Please join the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), for an Infectious Disease Preparedness Learning Community (IDLC) webinar on the basics of planning for an infectious disease outbreak. Once the decision to conduct a field investigation of an acute outbreak has been made, working quickly is essential to protecting the health and wellness of Tribal communities. Tribal epidemiologists want to work quickly and get the right answers but they also want to make sure they are systematic in their approach. A systematic approach ensures that the investigation proceeds without missing important steps along the way. During this presentation, attendees will gain experience in outbreak investigation through real-world examples that can assist with planning for outbreaks in Tribal communities.

Webinar attendees will gain knowledge on the following:

  • Describe the steps in conducting an outbreak investigation
  • Identify key communication considerations during outbreak investigations
  • Understand public health actions and prevention activities that may result from outbreak investigations

The learning community is focused on knowledge sharing and attendees are encouraged to share share information and build relationships with each other. Submit questions ahead of time so presenter(s) have time to review them. Please come prepared to ask questions or share your own insights and experiences.

For questions, please contact Courtney Wheeler at [email protected].
Essential Workers
What: Basics of Planning for an Infectious Disease Outbreak

When: Thursday, August 19, 2021

Time: 3:00 PM -4:00 PM Eastern Time
Who should attend?
The webinar is open to any interested person, but is likely most relevant to Tribal public health professionals, Tribal health departments, Tribal healthcare personnel, and those who want to learn more about basic infectious disease spread.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
Note: Continuing education credits will be offered for this webinar.
Presenter:
Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Enteric Zoonoses Activity Lead

Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM serves as the Enteric Zoonoses Activity Lead at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this role, she works on multistate outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli resulting from exposure to animals and pet products. Dr. Nichols has focused her work on investigating multistate outbreaks of human illness linked to petting zoos, small turtles, livestock with strains of multidrug-resistant Salmonella, and pet food products. In 2016, Dr. Nichols led the investigation of nine multistate outbreaks linked to live poultry in backyard flocks. Almost 900 people became ill in these outbreaks, the largest number of illnesses CDC has recorded linked to live poultry. Prior to joining CDC, Dr. Nichols worked as the Principal Investigator of the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Program at the New Mexico Department of Health for 5 years. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from New Mexico State University, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University and a Master of Public Health in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota. She was an Epidemiologic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer from 2008–2010 with the New Mexico Department of Health. Prior to obtaining a D.V.M., she spent several years as a clinical veterinary assistant. Her areas of interest include zoonotic disease, food safety, and pediatric health.
Continuing Education Credits

Outcome Objectives
  • Implement outbreak prevention and control guidelines and policies
  • Utilize prevention guidelines to protect patients
  • Differentiate between prevention and control guidelines that need to be used in a traditional clinical setting, such as a clinic and those used in pop-up locations, such as mass vaccination events, mass testing locations, and those outside of a clinic or hospital.

Accreditation / Credit Designation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and ASU Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy/School of Social Work. The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (1 credit per session) Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement
All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that could constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.
For all of the latest updates and resources on COVID-19, visit www.nihb.org/covid-19

For all media inquiries, contact April Hale at [email protected].