H5N1 (and other infectious diseases) update with Dr. Alex Isakov

EMS One-Stop

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence welcomes back infectious disease expert Dr. Alexander P. Isakov, MD, MPH, founding executive director of the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), and professor of emergency medicine at Emory University.

Rob begins by discussing his real-life experience with an H5N1 outbreak in the UK as an ambulance service leader, and Dr. Isakov discusses the current H5N1 emergence in the U.S.

The discussion covers the current U.S. H5N1 outbreak, bird and swine flus, and the spillover from bird to mammal populations. They also address three recent U.S. cases of H5N1 among agricultural workers. They go on to discuss signs and symptoms of H5N1, index of suspicion, the Hierarchy of Controls in infectious diseases, universal and standard precautions, and fit testing respirators. They also cover resources available at NETEC.

Dr. Isakov concludes with a roundup of other global issues, including viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), Ebola, Marburg and smallpox.