Ebola update; taking on tick-borne diseases; how well do administrators work together? — Morning Medical Update

Ebola cases: Things could get worse

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published data showing the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo could reach levels of infection that need interventions on a scale used in the 2014 outbreak of 2014. NPR has this analysis with differing opinions about just how hazardous are conditions on the ground in those African nations. To make things even more challenging, it’s a rare strain of Ebola with no vaccine or targeted treatment.

HHS vs. tick-borne diseases

Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to red meat and other animal products. It comes from the bite of a lone-star tick, and there’s an outbreak happening now on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The issue came up during a press conference June 8 during which Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced new nutritional training in medical school curricula around the country. Kennedy commented that alpha-gal syndrome is a serious disease that HHS takes seriously. The federal department has launched a new major effort on tick control with different strategies.

How do administrators work together?

The Healthcare Financial Management Association is meeting this week. The opening day included this discussion Tina Freese Decker, the CEO of Corewell Health, and Matt Cox, the system’s CFO, took to the stage to talk about how they tackle tough decisions at Corewell Health, which operates 21 hospitals in Michigan. Chief Healthcare Executive, a sister publication of Medical Economics, has coverage from the conference.