Publications by authors named "J Scheftel"
Objectives: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses an occupational risk for poultry workers, responders, and others in contact with infected birds. The objective of this analysis was to describe HPAI surveillance methods and outcomes, and highlight the challenges, successes, and lessons learned during the Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH's) public health response to HPAI outbreaks in Minnesota poultry flocks in the years 2015 and 2022-2023.
Methods: During both outbreaks, MDH staff attempted to contact all potentially exposed people and conduct a standardized interview.
Article Synopsis
- In July 2023, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) learned about potential anthrax exposure risks in humans following an outbreak in animals.
- MDH, alongside the CDC, developed a questionnaire to evaluate exposure risks and to decide on illness monitoring and needed antibiotic treatments.
- The findings and tools from this investigation are expected to aid in handling similar anthrax exposure situations in the future.
Article Synopsis
- - An 84-year-old man died from rabies six months after being bitten by a rabid bat, despite receiving timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), prompting an investigation into the cause of this rare case.
- - The investigation included reviewing medical records, conducting whole-genome sequencing, and analyzing the patient's immune response, revealing nonneutralizing rabies antibodies and an underlying unknown immune condition, which likely contributed to the infection.
- - This case marks the first documented failure of rabies PEP using modern vaccines in the Western Hemisphere, highlighting the need for monitoring rabies antibody levels in patients with potential immune deficiencies after PEP completion.
Public Health Surveillance and Reporting for Human Toxoplasmosis - Six States, 2021.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
July 2022
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although disease tends to be mild (e.g.
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