Conference Objectives

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

1. Session I

differentiate cases of sepsis suspicious of infection with flea-borne typhus from other causes; appraise current rickettsial diagnostic criteria given the role of temporality in IgG titer draw; and assess the murine typhus patient and differentiate the case cause from other fever-causing diseases in order to institute prompt treatment.

2. Session II

describe the natural life cycle of anthrax and measures to prevent animal-associated anthrax in humans.

3. Session III

compare the risk of infection by the zoonotic Brucella species; describe the uncommon presentation of a Brucella suis infection in a human; and assess the potential for Brucella suis infections in canine patients, distinguish appropriate diagnostic tests, and evaluate zoonotic risk.

4. Session IV

distinguish and contrast the ecology and distribution of the two groups of Amblyomma maculatum ticks in Texas both geographically and morphologically; and assess the general distribution and ecology of tick-borne relapsing fever.

5. Session V

identify and diagnose acute Chagas disease in a non-endemic setting; assess the effectiveness of awareness campaigns in Texas for Chagas disease; and describe an unusual parasitic case investigation.

6. Session VI

describe a mid-sized local health department’s approach to an integrated vector management program; and apply principles of data management to develop tools to aid in rapid decision-making by public health and pest management professionals.

7. Session VII

assess the risk of antimicrobial resistant bacterium colonization in homeless or at-risk populations from urban wildlife; and evaluate bovine tuberculosis status in Texas and the transmission between humans and cattle.

8. Session VIII

describe the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions and surveillance testing in controlling COVID-19 transmission in a military training population; describe the community-level characteristics associated with COVID-19 infection in Harris County, TX; and assess the investigative processes raised by a cow that tested positive for rabies with an infectious period that included time at a livestock show.

Back-up Objectives

describe the factors for rickettsial infections in military and civilian personnel working in the Central Region.

assess information to provide to the public regarding resources for kissing bug identification and testing; distinguish between the various testing options for acute and chronic Chagas disease in humans; and apply resources for healthcare providers that have patients that are concerned about Chagas disease