Infectious Disease Outbreaks Episodes
May 21, 2026
1131: Tracking Emerging Threats & Global Accessibility Awareness
On today's episode, ASTHO Vice President of Health Security, Meredith Allen, tells us about the ongoing monitoring response tied to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Later, Emily Lapayowker, assistant director of web content at ASTHO talks about Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Guests: Meredith Allen, DrPH, MS , Emily Lapayowker
March 31, 2026
1096: How the CDC Is Forecasting the Next Outbreak
On today's episode, CDC's Jason Asher joins us to explain how new data tools are transforming detection and response to infectious diseases.
Guest: Jason Asher, PhD
Feb. 23, 2026
1074: From Wastewater to Radiological Readiness: Detecting and Responding to Public Health Threats
On today's episode, Allison Wheeler from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shares how her team detected measles in wastewater before clinical cases appeared, helping local partners identify an outbreak early to act quickly. Then, Ziad Kazzi from Emory University breaks down what a radiological incident really looks like, from accidental exposures to nuclear incidents, and what a manageable response looks like.
Dec. 10, 2025
1040: Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Discusses the Stakes of ACIP’s Vote on Hepatitis B Vaccine for Newborns
In this episode, ASTHO member and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian breaks down a major development in national vaccine policy: the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP’s) decision to narrow its guidance on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns.
Guest: Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH
398
Sept. 18, 2025
993: New World Screwworm, States’ Preparedness Policies
Shalini Nair, senior analyst for infectious disease at ASTHO, tells public health professionals everything they need to know about New World screwworm (NWS), and what to do if their state experiences a case; Maggie Nilz, senior analyst for preparedness at ASTHO, shares information from a new Health Policy Update on public health preparedness for extreme weather events...
Guests: Shalini Nair MPH , Maggie Nilz, MPH, CPH
380
Aug. 22, 2025
975: CANNRA Priorities, ASTHO INSPIRE Web Page
Dr. Gillian Schauer, director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, discusses the recent Cannabis Regulators Association external stakeholders meeting; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO assistant director of emerging infectious disease...
375
Aug. 15, 2025
970: Respiratory Virus Season Briefing, CICT Course
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO chief medical officer, Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO president and state health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, and Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO president-elect and commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, held a deskside briefing on the preparations for the upcoming respiratory virus season; Ericka McGowan, senior director of emerging infectious disease at ASTHO...