News

What does a measles exposure investigation have in common with an Ebola outbreak? More than you might think. A new perspective explores how trust, surveillance, and contact tracing shaped Uganda's successful Ebola response.

Sepsis diagnoses are increasing, but are health systems measuring true clinical deterioration or changes in documentation? A new perspective explores how real-time surveillance and coordinated workflows can improve sepsis response and patient outcomes.

How much infection prevention training should volunteers receive before participating in medical missions? A new perspective in Infection Control Today follows one college student's experience volunteering in rural Cambodia, where he was asked to perform clinical tasks well beyond his training. Years later, he realized just how many infection prevention risks he had unknowingly encountered. The article explores what his experience reveals about volunteer preparation, resource-limited care, and why basic infection prevention education should be considered essential for anyone participating in clinical outreach. Read the full story.

Atea Pharmaceuticals completed enrollment in its Phase 3 C-FORWARD trial evaluating Bemnifosbuvir and Ruzasvir, advancing a simplified treatment approach for chronic hepatitis C.

International infection prevention leaders discuss how Ireland and Saudi Arabia educate, recruit, and prepare IPC professionals while advocating for broader, multidisciplinary career pathways worldwide.

The FDA says a recent false-positive laboratory result does not change its Cyclospora outbreak investigation. In a media briefing, agency officials explained why epidemiologic evidence and traceback investigations continue to point to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms as the source of a major multistate outbreak.

What if sterile isn't enough? Sterile processing has traditionally focused on ensuring instruments are cleaned, assembled, and sterilized correctly. But today's health care environment requires something more. This article explores why coordination between sterile processing, the operating room, supply chain, and clinical teams has become just as important as technical excellence. Learn why experts believe surgical readiness should become the next benchmark for sterile processing performance.

Cyclospora cases continue to rise across the United States, leaving many people with questions about symptoms, testing, and treatment. In this expert commentary, a physician explains: • Why Cyclospora is difficult to diagnose • Why symptoms can last for weeks • Why investigators linked the outbreak to contaminated lettuce • Why ivermectin is not an effective treatment • How you can reduce your risk

The FDA and CDC traced a Cyclospora outbreak to lettuce from Taco Bell in 5 states. Learn the latest findings, expert guidance, and what infection preventionists need to know.

Gian Maria Rossolini, MD, discusses antimicrobial resistance, global surveillance, emerging drug-resistant pathogens, and how clinical microbiology can help improve patient outcomes and public health.

Could a badge, cell phone, or home-laundered scrub top contribute to infection transmission? AORN's updated 2025 Guideline for Surgical Attire reinforces that surgical attire is much more than a uniform. From laundering practices and beard covers to cleaning personal devices, the recommendations position attire as a key component of infection prevention and patient safety across the perioperative environment.

A major cyclosporiasis outbreak is underway. The CDC has confirmed 1,645 domestically acquired cases across 34 states since May 1 — with a multistate cluster of 400+ cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky that investigators believe may share a common food source. Lettuce and salad greens are under scrutiny. For IPs: Standard disinfectants won't eliminate Cyclospora, and the parasite is routinely missed in standard lab panels without a specific order.

The latest Ebola outbreak is raising new challenges for global public health. Existing Ebola vaccines were designed for a different viral strain, leaving health care workers and communities to rely on supportive care while researchers test promising new treatments and vaccine candidates. Learn what this means for infection prevention professionals.

Why are US citizens still concerned about infectious diseases years after COVID-19? This interview explores public perceptions of Ebola, measles, vaccination, environmental contamination, and disaster recovery, and examines how education, preparedness, and infection prevention can strengthen public health resilience.

How can you prevent Cyclospora infection? This article outlines practical food safety measures, symptom recognition, diagnostic recommendations, and prevention strategies for patients and health care professionals during the current multistate Cyclospora outbreak.

Cyclospora infections are increasing across the US. This article explains how Cyclospora cayetanensis spreads, common symptoms, current outbreak investigations, and the role IPs and IPC professionals play in surveillance, diagnosis, reporting, and public health collaboration.

What makes contact tracing effective during an Ebola outbreak? This article explains how IPs and public health teams use the same core principles, such as rapid case identification, exposure assessment, contact monitoring, and community engagement, to reduce disease transmission. Using the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC as a case study, it highlights why trust, surveillance, and high contact follow-up rates remain essential to successful IPC efforts worldwide.

What are the most common infection control violations in dental practices? This article explains why hand hygiene, improper PPE use, and failure to wear utility gloves continue to challenge dental teams and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to improve OSHA adherence, strengthen infection prevention practices, and enhance patient and staff safety.

Why do outbreaks involving Cyclospora, Ebola, Legionnaires' disease, contaminated medical devices, and recalled consumer products matter to infection preventionists? This editorial examines the common lessons from today's emerging infectious threats and explains how surveillance, environmental safety, health care worker protection, and preparedness strengthen infection prevention and control programs across all health care settings.

APIC 2026 presenters Ekaete Usoh, MPH, MSc, CIC, VA-BC, and Risha Patel, MPH, CIC, shared practical strategies for reducing health care-associated infections through health equity, standardized data tracking, and interdisciplinary collaboration while encouraging infection preventionists to take advantage of APIC's educational and networking opportunities.

Many infection preventionists from nonclinical backgrounds experience imposter syndrome despite demonstrating strong technical expertise and measurable patient safety outcomes. This commentary explores how mentorship, leadership development, and organizational support can strengthen professional identity, improve retention, and help the infection prevention profession embrace diverse educational pathways.

A new lawsuit alleges a contaminated Olympus duodenoscope transmitted a VRE infection during an ERCP, renewing concerns about endoscope reprocessing, device design, biofilm, and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. What should IPC professionals know?

Manufacturer instructions that don't work in the real world? APIC and ACHC just released a game-changing toolkit. Learn how infection prevention and facilities leaders can now evaluate problematic disinfection guidelines with confidence, balance adherence with operations, and protect patient safety. Read the solution.

More than 100 health care workers have been infected during the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. While the risk to US health care facilities remains low, the outbreak provides powerful lessons about PPE readiness, surveillance, staffing, and community trust. This commentary explores why infection preventionists should pay close attention, not because Ebola is coming here, but because the challenges are universal.

A microscopic parasite called Cyclospora is spreading across 17 states. 145 people are sick. Health care workers need to know the warning signs, how to diagnose it, and what to do. Read why this outbreak matters and how to respond.

Think you know your infection control acronyms? Test your expertise with our ICT Expert Acronym Challenge! From CLABSI to VRE, this 20-question puzzle covers essential health care-acquired infection prevention terminology that every infection control professional should master. How many can you match correctly? Try the challenge now! Perfect for IPC specialists, infection prevention coordinators, and health care epidemiologists!

Health care–associated infections are not prevented by policies alone. They are prevented when health care professionals understand why infection prevention practices matter. This commentary explores how combining evidence-based practices with education, competency, and a clear rationale transforms compliance into ownership. When staff understand the science behind hand hygiene, PPE, sterilization, and surveillance, they are better equipped to make informed decisions, adapt to changing situations, and engage patients and families in preventing HAIs.

As the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda grows, this commentary examines why sustained investment in NETEC and the National Special Pathogen System remains essential for US preparedness.