Disaster Lit® Database Daily Updates

Disaster Lit® Database Daily Updates

Advice on the Use of Masks the Community, During Home Care and in Health Care Settings in the Context of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Outbreak

01/29/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Published: 1/29/2020. This two-page document provides rapid advice on the use of medical masks in communities, at home, and at health care facilities in areas that have reported outbreaks caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). It is intended for public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, health care managers, health care workers, and community health workers. It will be revised as more data become available. (PDF)

CDNA (Communicable Diseases Network Australia) National Guidelines for Public Health Units: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

01/28/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Australian Government. Published: 1/28/2020. This document summarizes interim recommendations for surveillance, infection control, laboratory testing, and contact management for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV.) It is the first national guidance issued for the novel coronavirus and will be developed into Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Public Health Units 2019-nCoV. (PDF)

PHLN (Public Health Laboratory Network) Guidance on Laboratory Testing for 2019-nCoV

01/26/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Australian Government. Published: 1/26/2020. This document provides Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) guidance on laboratory testing for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), including handling of specimens in the laboratory, and 2019-nCoV-specific testing. Where applicable, laboratories should consult with their state/territory communicable diseases agency to seek advice on which laboratories can provide 2019-nCoV testing; determine appropriate specimen type, collection, and transport; and facilitate contact management if indicated. (PDF)

Novel Coronavirus Information Sheet for Emergency Departments

01/23/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Australian Government. Published: 1/23/2020. This document is an information sheet for emergency departments about the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov), including key points, the current situation, how to identify symptoms and exposure history, and actions for patients who meet the criteria. These criteria will be revised by public health authorities as more precise information emerges on the outbreak, including characteristics of transmission, incubation and infectivity period, and geographical spread. (PDF)

Novel Coronavirus Information Sheet for Primary and Community Health Workers

01/23/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Australian Government. Published: 1/23/2020. This document is an information sheet for primary and community health workers about novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), including key points, the current situation, how to identify symptoms and exposure history, and actions for patients who meet the criteria. These criteria will be revised by public health authorities as more precise information emerges on the outbreak, including characteristics of transmission, incubation and infectivity period, and geographical spread. (PDF)

Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV

01/21/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Center for Health Security [Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health]. Published: 1/21/2020. This two-page fact sheet provides information about coronaviruses, which include severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and a novel coronavirus that was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It provides information about Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment, Infection Control Measures, and Medical Countermeasures. (PDF)

Opportunities to Improve Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Services: Integrating Responses to a Dual Epidemic

01/01/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: National Academies Press (NAP). Published: 1/2020. Opioid use and infectious diseases are intertwined epidemics. This 182-page report examines current efforts to integrate care and describes barriers, such as inadequate workforce and training; lack of data integration and sharing; and stigma among people who use drugs and have also been diagnosed with an infectious disease. The conclusions and recommendations of this report will help to promote patient-centered, integrated programs to address this dual epidemic. (Text)

Research Snapshot: Which Facemasks Are Best to Protect from Breathing Volcanic Ash?

01/01/2020 12:00 AM EST

Source: Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance (ELRHA). Published: 2020. This two-page document summarizes a study that provides a new evidence base to inform humanitarian interventions about the effectiveness (protection from ash) and acceptability/wearability of different facemasks to communities responding to a volcano eruption. The outputs provide both evidence and practical guidance to inform more effective public health and humanitarian interventions in response to volcanic and other air pollution risks. (PDF)

EPA Decision Support Tools for Environmental Incidents and Natural Disasters

11/18/2019 12:00 AM EST

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Published: 11/18/2019. Managing waste resulting from disasters can be a complicated and resource-intensive process, especially during large-scale incidents such as the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant accident or severe hurricanes. This table provides links to current tools that support estimation of waste types and volumes, disposal facility identification, and temporary storage of waste. These tools will assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and federal decision-makers on waste management in the pre-planning, mitigation, response, and recovery phase of an incident. (Text)