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local, and territorial environmental public health professionals and is focused on supporting our workforce before, during, and after hurricanes by addressing key environmental public health concerns such as water safety, hazardous materials, shelter safety, and more. The guide includes: • Response and recovery objectives across 15 environmental pub- lic health emergency preparedness and response functional areas • Task checklists designed to assist professionals in the field • Tips on best practices for hurricane-related environmental pub- lic health concerns • Access to national standards, forms, and key guidance documents • Recommendations for cross-sector partnerships and policies to enhance readiness, response, and recovery efforts Learn more and access the guide at https://www.neha.org/ hurricane-response-guide. H5N1 Resources for Environmental Public Health H5N1 avian influenza has emerged as a significant public health and agricultural concern in the U.S, with a notable evolution in its transmission patterns. While traditionally known as a disease primarily affecting birds, the virus has demonstrated an unprec- edented spread into dairy cattle populations. The Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5N1 activity in humans. We have compiled resources to assist environmental health professionals on the front line of protecting our food supply and communities from the threat of H5N1. These resources cover sur- veillance, testing and sampling, control and prevention, public education, and critical risk factors. Find all these resources at www.neha.org/h5n1. Apply for the Crumbine Award The Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award is a presti- gious award given annually to local environmental health juris- dictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities. The award recognizes innovative programs and methods that reduce or eliminate the occurrence of foodborne illnesses and highlights the importance of food protection at the local level. Winning programs often offer best practices that can be used by other jurisdiction to advance their food protection programs. The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine (1862– 1954), a sanitarian physician and public health pioneer who was renowned for his innovative methods of improving public health protection. The Crumbine Award was established in his honor in 1954 and was first awarded in 1955. Does your local food safety program deserve national rec- ognition? If so, mark your calendars to apply for the 2025 Crumbine Award by March 14. Learn more and apply at https:// crumbineaward.com.
into easy-to-understand modules, giving you the tools to confi- dently identify and manage food safety risks. Whether you are a food handler, inspector, or manager, this course will equip you with essential insights into the microorganisms and toxins that can impact food safety. After completing this course, you will be able to: • Define relevant microbiology terminology • Identify and describe the different types of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) relevant to food safety • Describe the factors affecting microbial growth and survival in food (e.g., temperature, pH, water activity) • Explain the stages of microbial growth and methods to control microbial growth in food • Identify and describe key food safety regulations and standards, including those set by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture The course time is 4 hours and you can earn up to 4 continu- ing education contact hours toward your NEHA credential. The cost is $130 for members and $150 nonmembers. Learn more and invest in your food safety knowledge today at https://neha.users. membersuite.com. Use your MyNEHA login to access the course through the Shop tab.
New Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Health
Our hurricane response guide provides environmental public health professionals with comprehensive operational guidance for hurricane response. This resource is tailored for state, tribal,
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Volume 87 • Number 7
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