Bug of the Month: I Like Swimming in Water and Popping Up in Food

Health leaders are outraged after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, calling it a political purge that threatens public trust and vaccine safety.

As federal cuts reshape public health, students nationwide are reacting with fear, frustration, and renewed resolve as they face an uncertain future in the field.

Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility, but environmental services (EVS) professionals are often overlooked. At AHE’s Exchange25, Shannon Simmons, DHSc, is on a mission to change that.

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.

The Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens that are clinically important in today's health care facilities.

As tick-borne diseases such as Lyme, Babesia, and Anaplasma increase across the US, accurate early detection remains a critical challenge. Jason Barker, ND, clinical lab educator at Vibrant Wellness, explains how innovative multiplex testing is transforming diagnostics and improving outcomes for patients and providers alike.