High Consequence Infectious Disease Surge

Overview

Over the last twenty years the world has faced many High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) outbreaks that have traveled from country to country. Recent outbreaks such as Marburg virus disease in Tanzania (2023), Ebola virus disease in Uganda (2022), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS_CoV) in Saudi Arabia (2018) and Nipah Virus in India (2018) serve as a reminder that there are many HCIDs circulating at any given time. These outbreaks generate substantial public health, security, and economic consequences.

Although HCIDs are uncommon in our state, they remain a threat to the health of Minnesotans. Planning for these HCID is very important.

On this page:
In the News
Definition
Tools and Resources
Guidance Documents
Additional Resources

In the News

Effective July 1, 2024, The Joint Commission (JC) has updated standards regarding HCID Infection Control Resources. Read the new chapter on the JC’s website and watch NETEC’s overview of the new standards.

• Joint Commission: New and Revised Requirements for the “Infection Prevention and Control” (IC) Chapter
• NETEC Webinar Series (3/15/24): Introduction to the 2024 Joint Commission Standards for Infection Control

Definition

A High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) is defined by the Minnesota HCID Collaborative (MDH, Mayo Clinic, UMMC, Minnesota HCID-Ready EMS services) as a confirmed or suspected symptomatic infection with a pathogen that meets either of the following criteria:

• Pathogens for which all forms of medical waste (including patient excreta, secreta, blood, tissue, tissue swabs, and specimens in transport media) are classified as Category A infectious substances (UN2814) by the U.S. Department of transportation;

Or

• A pathogen with the potential to cause a high mortality rate among otherwise non-critically ill immunicompetent people for which no routine vaccine exists and has one or both of the following characteristics:
  • At least some types of direct clinical specimens pose generalized risks to laboratory personnel
  • Known risk of secondary respiratory spread within health care settings or unknown mode of transmission

Tools and Resources

• Airborne Infectious Disease Management (PDF)
  Methods for temporary negative pressure isolation. Dated 2007, but content reviewed 2024. Some links may be out of date. 
   
• High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Toolbox for Frontline Health Care Facilities
  Provides ready-to-use tools for Frontline facilities to prepare a response for patients who may have an HCID. Helps facilities meet CMS emergency preparedness regulatory requirements for training and testing programs and more. The toolbox includes: Sample need assessments; Multi-year planning, training, and exercise plan; screening Guidance; Training resources; and the Readiness Binder.

Guidance Documents

Transportation of Patients with HCIDs

• Ebola or High Consequence Infectious Disease Ambulance Transport - Hospital Guidance
  Hospital guidance on how to contact the appropriate EMS agency for safe transport of patients with high consequence infectious diseases such as Ebola. 
   
• Ebola or High Consequence Infectious Disease Ambulance Transport - EMS Guidance
  Identification of the licensed ambulance services who have agreed to transport suspect or confirmed high consequence infectious disease patients, such as those with Ebola in Minnesota.

Reports

• MDH Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Responses 2014-2023 (PDF)
  This report details the Minnesota Department of Health’s responses to Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) outbreaks in the last ten years.  Within the report information can be found regarding monitoring, community engagement, hospital preparedness and emergency medical service (EMS) preparedness. 

Additional Resources

• National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center
  Offering Educational materials, courses, and training; consultations and support services for both health care facilities and EMS services, either virtual or onsite; research policies and procedures; and ask an expert a question.
   
• CDC: Diseases Caused by High-Consequence Viruses
  In depth information regarding high consequence viruses from the CDC. Includes information for testing, healthcare providers, specimen packaging, and risk assessment for returning travelers.
   
• ASPR Tracie Bioterrorism and High Consequence Biological Threats
• ASPR Tracie Coronaviruses (e.g., SARS, MERS and COVID-19)
• ASPR Tracie Ebola/VHF