Katherine West and James R. Cross comment on medical facilities taking issue with certain provisions in the reinstated Ryan White Comprehensive AIDs Emergency Response Act and what responders need to know about it.

Two years past the Congressionally ordered deadline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on November 4, 2011 announced reinstatement of the notification requirements for emergency responders exposed to infectious diseases.

A study clearly illustrates that MRSA, a deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium, is present in the fire service environment and suggests transmission is occurring between firefighters and their environment.

Citing unproven claims that their hand sanitizers prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterial infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to four manufacturers.

Firefighters and paramedics may encounter bedbug infestations in the course of responding to calls and can bring these pests back to the firehouse. Calvin Crupper shares tips on keeping your fire station bedbug-free.

On September 23, 2010 the CDC published new guidance for prevention of seasonal and H1N1 influenza. Katherine West discusses the implications of the new guidelines for EMS responders.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and is considered a highly communicable disease. Pertussis is known for its uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to take in a breath.

Citing continued spread among birds, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently noted that H5N1 or "bird flu" poses significant threat to humans and has potential to ignite a full blown global pandemic.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) issued an October 2010 position paper calling for mandatory influenza vaccination of all health care providers (HCPs).

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the H1N1 pandemic over on July 10, 2010, transitioning global alert and response activities to “post-pandemic” stage. This does not mean the H1N1 (2009) influenza virus is no longer active, in fact, outbreaks are expected to continue as the virus seems to have transitioned into the dominant flu virus as we enter the 2010 influenza season.