B-Virus and Free-Ranging Macaques, Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, risk for transmission of B-virus from free-ranging rhesus monkeys to humans has become a serious challenge. An incident with an injured rhesus monkey, seropositive for B-virus, resulted in inappropriate administration of antiviral postexposure prophylaxis. This incident underscores the importance of education about risks associated with interactions between humans and nonhuman primates

US Federal Travel Restrictions for Persons with Higher-Risk Exposures to Communicable Diseases of Public Health Concern

Published guidance recommends controlled movement for persons with higher-risk exposures (HREs) to communicable diseases of public health concern; US federal public health travel restrictions (PHTRs) might be implemented to enforce these measures. We describe persons eligible for and placed on PHTRs because of HREs during 2014–2016. There were 160 persons placed on PHTRs: 142 (89%) involved exposure to Ebola virus, 16 (10%) to Lassa fever virus, and 2 (1%) to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Most (90%) HREs were related to an epidemic. No persons attempted to travel; all persons had PHTRs lifted after completion of a maximum disease-specific incubation period or a revised exposure risk classification. PHTR enforced controlled movement and removed risk for disease transmission among travelers who had contacts who refused to comply with public health recommendations. PHTRs are mechanisms to mitigate spread of communicable diseases and might be critical in enhancing health security during epidemics

Notifications of Public Health Events under the International Health Regulations - 5 Year U.S. Experience

The U.S. fully implemented the International Health Regulations and submitted 59 potential Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) to WHO since 2007. The 2009 H1N1influenza pandemic, first notified as required notification of a novel strain of influenza by the U.S., is the only event determined to be a PHEIC by WHO to date. The public health impact of information sharing of PHEICs on a secure IHR website or of direct exchanges between trusted IHR National Focal Points is not known. However, a shared platform and assessment tool has facilitated notifications across national borders

Notifications of Public Health Events under the International Health Regulations - 5 Year U.S. Experience

The U.S. fully implemented the International Health Regulations and submitted 59 potential Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) to WHO since 2007. The 2009 H1N1influenza pandemic, first notified as required notification of a novel strain of influenza by the U.S., is the only event determined to be a PHEIC by WHO to date. The public health impact of information sharing of PHEICs on a secure IHR website or of direct exchanges between trusted IHR National Focal Points is not known. However, a shared platform and assessment tool has facilitated notifications across national borders