Monitoring USG action on readiness and response
Published by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Editors: Diane Meyer, RN, MPH; Lane Warmbrod, MS, MPH & Amanda Kobokovich, MPH
June 18, 2019
Public Health & Healthcare Preparedness
REPORT
Dengue and Zika Virus Diagnostic Testing for Patients with a Clinically Compatible Illness and Risk for Infection with Both Viruses.  Dengue and Zika viruses are closely related mosquitoborne flaviviruses with similar transmission cycles, distribution throughout the tropics and subtropics, and disease manifestations including fever, rash, myalgia, and arthralgia. For patients with suspected dengue or Zika virus disease, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the preferred method of diagnosis. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody testing can identify additional infections and remains an important tool for the diagnosis of these diseases, but interpreting the results is complicated by cross-reactivity, and determining the specific timing of infection can be difficult.   (MMWR; 06/14/2019)
RESEARCH
Notes from the Field: Administration of Expired Injectable Influenza Vaccines Reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System — United States, July 2018–March 2019. Influenza vaccination is recommended annually for persons aged ≥6 months for the prevention and control of influenza. Every year, injectable inactivated influenza vaccine has a standard expiration date of June 30 for the upcoming influenza season (i.e., July 1–June 30 of the following year).  (CDC; 06/14/2019)
PRESS RELEASE
CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center for Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DRC.  Today the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is announcing activation of its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Thursday, June 13, 2019, to support the inter-agency response to the current Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).   (CDC; 06/12/2019)
Homeland Security & Disaster Preparedness
NEWS
IoT Measure Advances Through House Committee.The House Committee has advanced legislation designed to enhance Internet of Things (IoT) devices security and aid in preventing attacks on information technology infrastructure on Oversight and Reform (Homeland Preparedness News; 06/14/2019)
NEWS
House Advances Three Bills to Modernize DHS.  The U.S. House of Representatives advanced three different bills that are designed to modernize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “DHS was created in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said. “It’s past time to modernize DHS so that it is prepared for the new challenges and emerging threats never dreamed of during the department’s inception.”   (Homeland Preparedness News; 06/13/2019)
Radiological & Nuclear Disaster Preparedness
EVENT
Webinar: Emergency Communication in Preparation for a Radiation Event. NACCHO, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ventura County Public Health, invites preparedness and response professionals from local health departments and their partners to attend “Emergency Communication in Preparation for a Radiation Event.” During this webinar, presenters will provide attendees with insight regarding CDC’s risk communication principles and CDC’s efforts to support local health departments in radiation preparedness.   (NACCHO; 06/23/2019)
NEWS
Enabling Revolutionary Nondestructive Inspection Capability.  DARPA today announced its Gamma Ray Inspection Technology (GRIT) program. GRIT seeks novel approaches to achieve high-intensity, tunable, and narrow-bandwidth sources of gamma ray radiation in a compact, transportable form factor that would enable a wide range of national security, industrial, and medical applications.   (DARPA; 06/14/2019)
Science & Technology Policy
NEWS
Artificial Intelligence can Make the U.S. Electric Grid Smarter.  Argonne researchers apply machine learning to inform more reliable grid planning and operations.   (Argonne National Laboratory; 06/14/2019)
NEWS
Top US Intelligence Official Says Could 'One of Best Decisions We Made'.  Sue Gordon, the principal deputy director of national intelligence, said the intelligence community’s $600 million bet on cloud computing in 2013 has more than paid off.   (ODNI; 06/13/2019)
This Week's Hearings
Lower Health Care Costs Act.  Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. 06/18/2019, 9:30 am. Dirksen Senate Office Building , 430.  More
Fossil Energy Research: Enabling Our Clean Energy Future.  House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, Subcommittee on Energy. 06/19/2019, 2:00 pm. Rayburn House Office Building , 2318.  More
Strengthening Health Care in the US Territories for Today and Into the Future.  House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. 06/20/2019, 10:30 am. Rayburn House Office Building , 2322.  More
Hearing to Examine Storage of Nuclear Waste and the Nuclear Waste Administration Act.  Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. 06/27/2019, 10 am. Dirksen Senate Office Building , 366.  More