The Hawaiʻi Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program hosted the “2026 Hawaiʻi Special Pathogens and Emerging Infectious Diseases Summit” in May 2026. Over 85 participants attended, representing acute care hospitals, other healthcare facilities, infection prevention programs, emergency management planners, the Defense Health Agency, and county and state level government. The conference provided CE/CMEs and IPUs to those requesting.
The conference aimed to help healthcare facilities following the Joint Commission new Standard IC.07.01.01 and two new elements of performance (EPs) to enhance laboratories’ preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases or special pathogens.
The summit learning objectives were:
- Identify special pathogen characteristics and why Hawaiʻi healthcare and public health organizations need to maintain response readiness.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of healthcare, government agencies, and state, regional, and federal partners in response to a special pathogens case or outbreak.
- Identify specific tools, resources, and collaboration opportunities to strengthen individual healthcare facility response readiness.
Key partners from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health included the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD), Office of Public Health Preparedness (OPHP), the State Laboratories Division (SLD)Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch (EMSIPSB), the District Health Offices, and City and County of Honolulu.
The summit was supported by CDC ELC grant no. NU50CK000553 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases Vectorborne Diseases Project Area.
CDC Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resources include:
- Guidance for Collection, Transport and Submission of Specimens for Ebola Virus Testing in the United States (PDF) Website (CDC, May 2024)
- Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients in U.S. Hospitals who are Suspected or Confirmed to have Selected Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) (CDC, Oct. 2024)
- Clinical Guidance for Ebola Disease (CDC, May 2026)
- Clinical Screening and Diagnosis for VHFs (CDC, May 2024)
NETEC Resources
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) provides resources, training, consulting, and assessments on special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S.
- NETEC Resource Library
- NETEC Resource Library for Ebola Virus Disease
- As of June 2026, this page includes regular updates on the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- PPE Matrix for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases
- SBAR Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) (NETEC, May 2024) Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR)
NETEC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Resources
Resources for emergency medical services (EMS) include:
- EMS Strategies for Ebola (NETEC, May 2022)
- Regional HCID Transport Tabletop Exercise template (NETEC, 2016)
- EMS Infectious Disease Playbook by Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) (ASPR, 2023)
- Article: Transport and Management of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease
- Isakov A, Miles W, Gibbs S, Lowe J, Jamison A, Swansiger R. Transport and Management of Patients With Confirmed or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease. Ann Emerg Med. 2015 Sep;66(3):297-305. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.04.008. Epub 2015 May 21. PMID: 26003000; PMCID: PMC7115304.
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