Office of Public Health Genomics Webinar Series

CDC's Office of Public Health Genomics in the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services is hosting a webinar series focusing on unique topic related to genetics and genomics. Free registration for each webinar is required.

1. Investigation of Host Genetic Factors in Infectious Diseases: Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM):
July 23, 2019, 10:00 am–11:30 am EDT

Priya Duggal, PhD, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will discuss her research on host genetic susceptibility to infectious disease, focusing on AFM. AFM is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, causing the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. The etiology of AFM, including the causative agent, remains unclear. Dr. Duggal will show how studies on host genomics can improve our understanding of AFM.

2. Genomics, Big Data and Data Science in Public Health:

August 9, 2019, 9:30 am–12:00 pm EDT

This seminar will provide an introduction to Big Data and machine learning and potential public health applications, including examples from large scale analyses using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to look at gene-environment interactions. Presenters will discuss how new data science strategies are needed to address public health challenges in the 21^st century. Presented by Chesley Richards, MD, MPH, FACP, Deputy Director for Public Health Science and Surveillance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Danielle Rasooly, Graduate student, Harvard Medical School; and Chirag Patel, PhD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School.

3. Assessing Gene-Environment Interactions in the Study of Rare Diseases:

August 21, 2019, 11:00 am–12:30 pm EDT

Dr. Philip Lupo* will discuss approaches to assessing gene-environment interactions in studies of rare outcomes. In addition to modeling the interaction between genetic variants and environmental exposures, these approaches address the influence of the environment on the genome (epigenetics, de novo mutations), alternative genetic mechanisms (maternal genetic effects), and use of genetics as a proxy for environmental risk factors (Mendelian randomization). *Philip Lupo, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, EpiCenter Co-Director, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Chair, Children’s Oncology Group Epidemiology Committee President-Elect, National Birth Defects Prevention Network Principal Investigator, Genetic Overlap Between Anomalies and Cancer in Kids Study.

Public Health Grand Rounds

Public Health Grand Rounds is a monthly webcast created to foster discussion on major public health issues. The Grand Rounds sessions also highlight how CDC and its partners are already addressing these challenges and discuss recommendations for future research and practice. Visit Grand Rounds On-Demand to browse upcoming and previous presentations. Free CE is available for most topics.

CDC TRAIN

Looking for training on other public health topics? CDC TRAIN, CDC's online learning system, provides access to more than 1,000 courses that CDC programs, grantees, and other funded partners have developed. CDC has approved and verified courses offered by CDC providers.

CDC Learning Connection

Opioids, Tickborne Disease, & Communication Trainings

Check out July’s featured trainings on the CDC Learning Connection and earn free CE!

• Have you explored the Applying CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids training series? Learn safe prescribing practices through interactive cases, knowledge checks, and built-in tools.
• Most cases of the potentially deadly tickborne disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) occur in the summer. Learn how to recognize, diagnose, and treat the disease with CDC’s RMSF Training Module.
• Nine out of ten adults struggle to understand and use health information when it’s unfamiliar, complex, or jargon-filled. Learn how to assess patients’ health literacy and language needs with CDC’s Effective Communication training.

Sign up for the CDC Learning Connection free monthly e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on public health trainings from CDC, other federal agencies, and federally funded partners.

CDC Urges Clinicians to Rapidly Recognize and Report AFM Cases; Intense Effort Underway to Understand and Prevent this Serious Neurologic Syndrome

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious syndrome that causes limb weakness, mostly in children. Three national outbreaks have occurred starting in 2014, when CDC began surveillance for AFM.

Prompt symptom recognition, specimen collection, and reporting to CDC are all critical to improve understanding of this complex syndrome, including its risk factors, outcomes, possible treatments, and ways to prevent it. AFM is rare, and there is no lab test available yet to diagnose patients.

What Clinicians Can Do

• Strongly suspect AFM in patients with acute flaccid limb weakness, especially after respiratory illness or fever, and between August and October.
• Hospitalize patients immediately, collect lab specimens, diagnose, and begin medical management.
  • Don’t wait for CDC’s case classification for diagnosis.
• Recognize AFM early, so they can quickly—
  • Get patients the best care, including treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Collect lab specimens like blood or urine to increase understanding of AFM and its causes.
  • Report suspected cases for prompt investigation and outbreak detection.
• Alert the appropriate health department and send lab specimens and medical records.
• Contact neurologists specializing in AFM through the AFM Physician Consult and Support Portal for help with patient diagnosis and medical management.
• Contact CDC with any questions about AFM, including how to report cases and collect appropriate specimens.

What Health Departments Can Do

• Work with CDC to collect medical information, MRI images, and specimens, and classify cases.
• Communicate information about AFM to clinicians and the public.

You can find more information about AFM in this month’s CDC Vital Signs or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: 1-888-232-6348 if you have any questions.

The Emergency Risk Communication Branch in the Division of Emergency Operations, Center for Preparedness and Response is responsible for the management of all COCA products.

For information about this update or other clinical issues, or to send your feedback, please contact us at coca@cdc.gov

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