News & Updates
Nevada State Public Health Laboratory Guidance for Tuberculosis and Bacillus Testing
Background The purpose of this technical bulletin is to provide guidance on two Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) specimen/isolate submission updates: 1) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) rapid test utilizing the...
Accelerated Testing and Surveillance for Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Human Cases
Background Avian influenza A (H5N1) has been circulating widely among birds and mammals in the United States since 2022. In spring 2024, H5N1 was detected in dairy cattle for the...
FDA Approves and Authorizes for Emergency Use Updated COVID-19 Vaccines and De-authorizes Administration of 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines – Update to Recommendation
Background On August 22, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued approval and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for their updated mRNA COVID-19...
Clinician Guidance for Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
As the winter season approaches, an increase in the circulation of respiratory pathogens, including enteroviruses, is expected. Enterovirus D-68 (EV-D68) is believed to be the main enterovirus responsible for the...
Minor Consent for Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Treatment Services
Background Prior to the passage of SB 172, Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 430A.180 excluded providers from being able to provide minors certain medical services, including STD treatment, if the provider...
Blood Lead Level Testing in Nevada, Reporting Requirements
Background Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that can cause negative health effects in children and adults. Sources of lead exposure can include chipping or peeling paint in homes...
FDA Approves and Authorizes for Emergency Use Updated COVID-19 Vaccines and De- authorizes Administration of 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines
Background On August 22, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued approval and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for their updated mRNA COVID-19...
BICILLIN® L-A SHORTAGE AND SYPHILIS TREATMENT – CURRENT SITUATION
Summary Penicillin G benzathine is the recommended treatment for syphilis, and the only recommended treatment for pregnant women infected with or exposed to syphilis. The Centers for Disease Control and...
CDC Clinical Guidelines on the Use of Doxycycline Postexposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention, United States, 2024
Summary On June 6th, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released clinical guidelines for the use of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) to prevent bacterial sexually...
Davis Fire and Smoke in Southern Nevada
Wildfires and smoke are affecting multiple parts of Nevada. The Davis Fire has been burning since September 7 and started in Washoe Valley and is now also affecting Southwest Reno....
Tuberculosis Drug Susceptibility Testing for Pyrazinamide Suspended by Nevada State Public Health Laboratory as of July 29, 2024.
Situation Culture-based (phenotypic) drug susceptibility testing (DST) for one of the primary anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications, Pyrazinamide (PZA), is suspended by the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) as of July...
Summer Surveillance for Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Human Cases
Key Points Background Avian influenza A (H5N1) has been circulating widely among birds and mammals in the United States since 2022. In the spring of 2024, H5N1 was detected in...