CDC Environmental Health Nexus Newsletter

September 2023 | Volume 23

EH Nexus newsletters provide information about environmental health issues and promotes actions to help save lives. The newsletters explain how to reduce harm from many threats, such as climate change, contaminated food and water, toxic environments, and inadequate systems and practices.

This issue covers the following topics:

• Fungal Awareness Week
  • EH Nexus Webinar: Fungal Diseases in a Changing Environment
• Hurricane Preparedness
• Launch of the EH Nexus Podcast!
  • World Environmental Health Day 2023
• Environmental Health Updates and Resources

Fungal Disease Awareness Week

September 18–22, 2023, is Fungal Disease Awareness Week (FDAW). Each year, CDC and partners dedicate FDAW to activities and outreach that encourage everyone to Think Fungus. Several events in 2023 that led up to FDAW demonstrated the growing challenges, complexities, and devastating impact of fungal diseases. These included:

• An unprecedented outbreak of the fungal infection blastomycosis among employees in a papermill in Michigan
• Newly published data showing sharp annual increases in Candida auris (C. auris) infections
• A multinational outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to procedures performed under epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico

Preparing for a Hurricane

Follow these important hurricane preparedness tips from CDC:

• Prepare for a hurricane: Take basic steps now to ensure your safety should a storm hit.
• Get emergency supplies: Stock your home and your car with supplies.
• Make a plan: Create a family disaster plan.
• Prepare to evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
• Protect older adults: Understand older adult health and medical concerns.
• Protect your pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after a hurricane.

CDC recommends that you print important documents (e.g., emergency phone numbers, insurance information) before a hurricane strikes. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it.

Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe.

Staying Safe After a Hurricane

In addition to preparing for a hurricane, it’s important to take steps to stay safe after a hurricane is over:

• Avoid flooded areas: Take precautions before, during, and after a flood.
• Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after the storm: Ensure your CO detector has working batteries. Place generators outside at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.

Visit Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm for more tips on staying safe after a hurricane.

After you have read these tips, please review the other resources available on the CDC Hurricanes website.

CDC is soliciting nominations for membership on the Lead Exposure and Prevention Advisory Committee (LEPAC).

LEPAC consists of 15 federal and non-federal experts in fields associated with lead screening, the prevention of lead exposure, and services for individuals and communities affected by lead exposure.

Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishment of the committee’s objectives. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of epidemiology, toxicology, mental health, pediatrics, early childhood education, special education, diet and nutrition, and environmental health. Members may be invited to serve for three-year terms.

Please find the federal register notice at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2023-08-28/2023-18449 and share with anyone else you think may be interested.

CDC must receive nominations for LEPAC membership by September 30, 2023.