Prevention

The Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens that are clinically important in today's health care facilities. This month’s Bug of the Month isn’t quite like anything we’ve featured before. Can you solve the clues before the final reveal?

In this podcast with ICT, Danielle Updegraff, MBA, BSN, RN, discusses real-time location systems, which can give infection prevention teams greater visibility into hand hygiene, workflow, and infectious disease exposures, but sustainable improvement still depends on staff engagement, leadership, education, and culture.

In this complete interview, ICT speaks with Endale Tilahun, MD, MPH, about a Malawi community program that reduced missed HIV testing and achieved 0.2% positivity among exposed infants through household follow-up, individualized case management, and coordinated health and social support.

A new $17 million international clinical trial will evaluate personalized phage therapy for recurrent antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections, bringing together researchers from 13 countries.

Merck has announced that the FDA accepted its supplemental application to expand ENFLONSIA's indication to include children younger than 2 years who remain at increased risk for severe RSV disease during their second RSV season.

Roche has introduced 2 new research-use PCR assays for Cyclospora cayetanensis, expanding laboratory testing options as public health officials continue to respond to one of the largest Cyclospora outbreaks in US history.

Reusable lead aprons and thyroid collars are used daily throughout hospitals, but often fall outside standardized cleaning protocols. Infection prevention and perioperative experts discuss contamination risks, ATP testing, operational barriers, and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen environmental hygiene and reduce the risk of HAIs.

Claryx has emerged from stealth with funding and a genomic surveillance platform designed to help hospitals identify hidden transmission chains, trace infection sources, and intervene before outbreaks grow.

Sina Bavari, PhD, discusses promising preclinical findings for the investigational TNX-801 vaccine, emerging mpox variants, durable immunity, and why infection preventionists should continue preparing for future outbreaks.

After experiencing severe professional burnout, an infection preventionist found renewed purpose by mentoring others, seeking mentorship herself, and rebuilding connection, confidence, and commitment to her career.

Reusable lead aprons and thyroid collars are used daily throughout hospitals, but often fall outside standardized cleaning protocols. Infection prevention and perioperative experts discuss contamination risks, ATP testing, operational barriers, and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen environmental hygiene and reduce the risk of HAIs.

Federal officials say new gain-of-function restrictions will improve biosecurity, but infectious disease experts warn limiting carefully regulated research could weaken preparedness for future outbreaks and emerging public health threats.

Evidence-based guidance outlines practical strategies for preventing infectious disease outbreaks in K–12 schools through hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, ventilation, illness monitoring, vaccination, and food safety.

New US Ebola travel restrictions require many travelers leaving the DRC to spend 21 days outside the country before returning home, creating logistical, financial, and operational challenges for health care responders.

Phase 3 ISLEND trials presented at AIDS 2026 found an investigational once-weekly oral HIV regimen maintained viral suppression comparable to daily therapy while improving treatment satisfaction and flexibility.

Environmental testing found bacterial contamination on many lead garments and described what lead garment cleaning technicians routinely encounter during servicing.

Hospitals still rely on manual temperature checks for vaccines, meds, blood, and lab samples, risking costs and safety. Automation improves adherence, reduces waste, boosts efficiency, and enables real-time visibility for smarter operations.

Foodborne outbreaks like Cyclospora are often blamed on contaminated produce, but delayed data sharing may be the larger problem. This article examines how modern digital traceability, standardized data systems, and faster outbreak investigations could reduce illnesses and improve food safety across the supply chain.

New research presented at AIDS 2026 indicates that 2-drug HIV regimens and long-acting injectable therapies are effective treatment options that also enhance personalized care. Investigators highlight that shared decision-making, adherence, quality of life, and minimizing long-term medication exposure are becoming more vital alongside maintaining viral suppression.

Food safety experts explain how epidemiology, traceback investigations, surveillance, and food safety practices work together to identify contamination sources during Cyclospora outbreaks while highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting the food supply.

Antimicrobial resistance hotspot mapping combines laboratory results, antibiotic prescribing, patient movement, and environmental data to identify where resistant pathogens emerge and spread. Emerging research suggests integrated surveillance, AI, and One Health collaboration could improve infection prevention while helping health systems detect resistance earlier and target interventions more effectively.

Hung Cheung, MD, of the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires' Disease, says preventing illness requires upstream water management, stronger surveillance, and earlier public health intervention.

A visibly clean health care environment does not always mean it is infection safe. Workflow, communication, equipment handling, and operational consistency often determine contamination risk.

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.