TN Health Alert Network (TNHAN) Archive

Dear Healthcare Providers,

The Tennessee Department of Health would like to bring awareness to a recent surge in measles cases both domestically and globally. Unfortunately, many patients with measles infection have had delayed identification in healthcare and community settings, leading to additional exposures and ongoing disease transmission. Clinicians should rapidly identify suspected measles infections, isolate patients quickly and inform public health by reporting suspected measles cases to the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-7247. Testing for measles infection is available through the Tennessee Department of Health with prior consultation and approval from the Vaccine Preventable Diseases team.

Please see the following: Tennessee Health Alert Network measles notification, Project Firstline AAP's Think Measles Info Sheet, and the recent CDC Health Advisory regarding measles.

Thank you for your participation in public health in Tennessee. Please contact 615-741-7247 to reach the TDH Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program.

Botulism-Like Illness After Cosmetic Injections

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and multiple other states to investigate botulism-like illness after reported botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes. Botulinum toxin or "Botox" injections are typically regarded as safe therapy. However, administration with counterfeit product, improper technique, or incorrect dosage has resulted in botulism-like illness. TDH is communicating with medical providers to facilitate identification of recent cases of botulism-like illness following botulinum toxin injections and reduce the risk of misdiagnoses and worsening symptoms. Clinicians who identify botulism-like illness should notify the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-7247.

TN Health Information: Doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis recommended for men who have sex with men and transgender women with STI history

Doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a new tool for prevention of sexually transmitted infections. A single dose of 200 mg doxycycline taken within 72 hours after condomless sex can reduce the risk of acquiring syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among men who have sex with men and transgender women with multiple sex partners.

Bicillin L-A recommended for ALL appropriate patients with syphilis as shortage improves.Given recent improvements to penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) supply nationally, the Tennessee Department of Health recommends that clinicians resume treating syphilis with Bicillin L-A® for all appropriate patients. Please continue to monitor inventory of Bicillin L-A® and, if insufficient supply, prioritize treatment of pregnant women and babies with Bicillin L-A®, and use doxycycline to treat other patients with syphilis. Please contact STD.Health@tn.gov with questions or if experiencing supply issues.

Preparing for Respiratory Illnesses in Tennessee

As we enter the 2024-2025 viral respiratory season, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is sharing information and resources regarding respiratory virus vaccines and prevention tools available this season. Influenza (flu) activity in Tennessee is currently low but slightly increasing. Currently, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity in Tennessee is low but expected to increase in the coming months. COVID-19 activity appears to have peaked in Tennessee and the United States in August 2024 and has been decreasing over the past several weeks. However, based on some models, COVID-19 levels are expected to increase again in winter 2024-2025.

Your recommendations to patients regarding preventive products and vaccines are critical. The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) encourages providers to co-administer vaccines for eligible and interested patients, including RSV, COVID-19, and influenza. Please find an attached resource on available vaccines and tools to reduce the risk of respiratory viruses.

We appreciate your outstanding support for public health in Tennessee. For any questions about available vaccines and prevention tools, please contact the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) at VPD.Imm@tn.gov.

2024

Botulism-Like Ilness - April 2024

Measles - March 2024

Respiratory Virus Vaccines January 2024

2023

Syphillis and Congenital Syphilis THAN December 2023

Bicillin THAN July 2023

CDC Clinical Reminders during Bicillin L A® Shortage

2022

TNHAN KY Measles

TNHAN C Auris

TNHAN VIM GES CRPA