As US measles cases climb into the thousands, immigration has become part of the political debate over the cause. Outbreak data point to a more complex picture involving international travel, declining vaccination coverage, pockets of susceptible populations, and highly efficient measles transmission. CDC reported 3,294 confirmed cases as of September 10.

"You can't underinvest in public health and then expect it to have a fast and swift response." Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, discusses Cyclospora, surveillance, workforce capacity, misinformation, and rebuilding public trust. Read the Q&A and watch the full ICT interview.

The US effectively eliminated measles once. Now cases are climbing again, infants remain vulnerable, people have died, and vaccine misinformation is undermining one of public health's greatest achievements. The price of forgetting what vaccines prevent can be measured in lives.

Missing instruments and processing delays can strain OR–SPD relationships. At AORN 2026, John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERIS, discusses understanding root causes, exploring off-site reprocessing for ambulatory surgical centers, and using hands-on simulation to help surgical teams see sterile processing from a different perspective.

What might infection prevention rounds miss when visible conditions dominate the conversation? Tommy Davis, PhD, CMIP, a member of ICT's executive advisory board, makes the case for structured observations of clinical workflows, shared accountability, and greater attention to environmental services staff’s insights.

A proposed $27.7 million reduction in AHRQ funding raises questions about support for infection prevention research and implementation. Here is what the September 25 announcement identifies, as well as what remains unknown about specific IPC programs.

A followed procedure can still leave patients at risk if it no longer matches validated requirements. Annetta L. McKnight, MHA, BSN, CRCST, CER, examines how infection prevention and sterile processing can identify process drift, assess disruptions, and strengthen shared oversight of medical device reprocessing.

A shifting mask or fogged eyewear can interrupt focus when precision matters most. Dana Weaver Storm, MHA, BSN, RN, examines the challenges of prolonged surgical mask use and how perioperative leaders can support comfort, visibility, and consistent adherence.