Educational Repository

3 Fast Facts:

January 2025

• The CDC estimates that there have been at least 12 million illnesses, 160,000 hospitalizations, and 6,600 deaths from influenza so far this season (1/2025).
• The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness by 40 percent and to reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization by 60 percent. 
• All persons ≥65 years and those 6 months – 64 years who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their first dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. A minimal dosing interval of 2 months is allowed.

November 2024

• Oropouche virus can have maternal- fetal transmission similar to Zika virus and this virus is transmitted by bites of midges/ mosquitoes.
• Measles is one of the most contagious Vaccine Preventable Diseases with secondary attack rates of more than 90%.
• We have had 20 cases of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in humans in 2024 till now (October 11)  per the CDC.

Infectious Disease Educational Repository

CDC/ AAP Respiratory Virus Resources:

RSV:

• Nirsevimab Frequently Asked Questions (aap.org)
• AAP RSV Guidance and FAQ / CDC RSV Guidance and FAQ
• Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Immunization with Monoclonal Antibody for Children 19 Months and Younger | CDC

Avian Influenza:

• Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus for Clinicians
• CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 11, 2024 
• Immunizations to Protect Infants

COVID-19:

• Flu Season Has Started But There’s Still Time to Benefit From Getting a Flu Vaccine
• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
• Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC
• COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens with Disabilities | Human Development and Disability | NCBDDD | CDC
• Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | COVID-19 | CDC
• Use of Additional Doses of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccine for Adults Aged ≥65 Years and Persons Aged ≥6 Months with Moderate or Severe Immunocompromise

CDC / AAP Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Standard Precautions 
• Transmission-Based Precautions 
• Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
• American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Guidance

Check out the latest  journal article that was published in Open Forum Infectious Disease (OFID)  by our very own Ambassador Ashlesha Kaushik MD (IA):

• Significant Improvement in Hand Hygiene Compliance and Decline in Clostridioides difficile Infections with Implementation of Infection Prevention Interventions

Video Materials:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections: an Update

Date: November 25, 2024 over the noon hour via Zoom

Speaker: Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik, MD, FAAP

This educational webinar will provide the latest updates for Mycoplasma respiratory infections that have been increasing in 2024, especially among younger children according to the CDC. This presentation will educate providers regarding the current trends of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, discuss the clinical presentation and describe CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for diagnosis and management of these infections.  

Video Recording: