Recurring Infectious Diseases
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Kara Amann
Director of Hospital Preparedness Programs
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Recurring Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response for Missouri Hospitals
Infectious diseases pose a significant risk to patients, health care workers, and hospital operations — but many of these threats are preventable with proactive planning and response strategies. By implementing preparedness measures, infection prevention protocols, and rapid response strategies, hospitals can mitigate disruptions and ensure continuity of care.
This page provides targeted programs, tools, and resources to help hospital administrators, health care coalitions, and public health partners enhance infectious disease readiness and response efforts. Explore guidance on managing COVID-19, influenza, RSV, measles and other emerging infectious diseases to protect patients and maintain hospital efficiency.
Explore Additional Preparedness & Emergency Response Resources
Looking for more tools and insights on preparedness? MHA provides resources to help hospitals implement best practices, improve patient outcomes and ensure compliance with evolving health care standards.
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New CMS Reporting Requirements for Respiratory Illnesses
Effective Nov. 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require hospitals and certain health care facilities to report data on COVID-19, influenza and RSV via the National Healthcare Safety Network system. Reporting includes hospital inpatient and ICU bed capacity, lab-confirmed cases by age group, new admissions and optional personal protective equipment supply tracking.
This mandate applies to acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other Medicare-certified institutions to enhance situational awareness and public health response efforts. Note: Guidelines are currently being updated to comply with new executive orders.
COVID-19: Ongoing Management & Preparedness
COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019 and rapidly became a global public health crisis, causing widespread disruptions in health care facility operations. Hospitals faced challenges, including PPE and medical supply shortages, increased patient capacity demands, and operational adjustments. The U.S. declared a public health emergency on Jan. 31, 2020, which remained in place until May 11, 2023.
Since the height of the pandemic, health care facilities have adapted, improving patient care strategies, implementing infection prevention protocols and developing long-term response plans. COVID-19 is now a managed infectious disease with seasonal fluctuations in cases and hospitalizations.
MHA continues to monitor developments, share best practices and provide resources to help hospitals effectively manage COVID-19 in the evolving care environment. For more information, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s resources.
Additional Resources
Seasonal Influenza Preparedness & Response
Strengthening Hospital Readiness for Flu Season
Each year, seasonal influenza places a significant strain on hospitals, increasing patient volumes and impacting resource availability, staffing and overall care delivery. Missouri hospitals, in collaboration with state and local public health partners, continue to enhance preparedness strategies to manage surges in flu-related hospitalizations.
MHA works closely with hospital staff and public health leadership to collect and analyze hospital data, helping facilities anticipate and respond to resource constraints during peak flu activity.
RSV: Prevention & Hospital Preparedness
Understanding RSV & Its Impact on Hospitals
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common illness that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, for infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions, RSV can lead to severe respiratory distress, hospitalization, and complications. Hospitals are key in managing RSV surges by ensuring early detection patient education, and resource allocation for high-risk populations.
Protecting Infants With Monoclonal Antibodies
To reduce the risk of severe RSV, the CDC recommends nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a monoclonal antibody that provides five months of protection for vulnerable infants. Hospitals should be aware of eligibility guidelines, which include:
- Infants under eight months born during or entering their first RSV season
- Children ages 8-19 months who are at increased risk due to:
- Chronic lung disease requiring recent medical support
- Severe immunocompromised conditions
- Cystic fibrosis with severe lung disease or low weight-for-length percentile
- American Indian or Alaska Native heritage, due to higher risk levels
RSV Vaccination for Older Adults
Adults ages 60 and older now have access to an RSV vaccine that provides long-term protection through the entire RSV season. Vaccination can help reduce the risk of severe respiratory complications in this high-risk population.
Toolkits Hospital Resources for RSV Preparedness
To help hospitals manage RSV effectively, MHA provides specialized toolkits and guidance to support clinical preparedness and patient care strategies.
Measles: Preparedness, Prevention & Response
Emerging Measles Patterns in the U.S.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Due to declining vaccination rates and increased global travel, the U.S. has experienced a resurgence of measles outbreaks — including several high-profile clusters in 2024. Hospitals play a crucial role in early identification, rapid containment and public health reporting to prevent further spread.
Measles is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets and remains infectious in the air for up to two hours. Because of its high transmissibility, even a single confirmed case constitutes a public health emergency requiring immediate response.
Hospital Strategies for Measles Readiness
Hospitals should take proactive steps to prepare for and respond to measles outbreaks, including:
- Ensuring staff are aware of signs and symptoms of measles (e.g., high fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and maculopapular rash)
- Verifying immunity status of health care personnel and updating MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination records where needed
- Implementing airborne precautions for suspected cases and ensuring rapid isolation in negative-pressure rooms when available
- Coordinating with local public health authorities for case reporting, contact tracing and community alert systems
Reinforcing patient education and community outreach to improve vaccination uptake, particularly in under-immunized populations
The US is currently experiencing a large measles outbreak. Additional resources including an SBAR is available.