In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan of Emory University Hospital sits down with Dr. Laura Evans to discuss how U.S. healthcare systems are preparing for the unique public health challenges surrounding the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. From heat-related illness and overcrowded emergency departments to infectious disease risks such as measles, influenza, COVID-19, novel influenza viruses, and endemic threats like Lassa fever, the conversation explores why preparedness for mass gatherings extends far beyond a single disease focus.

Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of situational awareness tools, including CDC resources and Boston University’s Beacon platform, while reminding listeners that screening alone is never perfect. The episode highlights the continued importance of core infection prevention practices such as source control, masking when appropriate, hand hygiene, and obtaining detailed travel and exposure histories. Together, Jill Morgan and Dr. Laura Evans reinforce the principle of “identify, isolate, and inform,” discuss the value of understanding local and regional escalation pathways, and examine how World Cup planning can strengthen everyday healthcare preparedness nationwide.

Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org.

Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web.

Guest

Laura Evans, MD, MSc

Executive Director of the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Dr. Evans is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the former Medical Director of Critical Care at the University of Washington Medical Center. Her clinical and scholarly interests focus on preparedness for HCIDs and sepsis. Before joining the University of Washington faculty, she was the Medical Director of Critical Care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where she helped found the Special Pathogens Program. From 2014 to 2019, Dr. Evans served as the inaugural Co-Principal Investigator of NETEC at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

Host

Jill Morgan, RN

Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA

Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Resources

1. Beacon
2. NETEC Resource Library
3. Transmission Interrupted Podcast
4. NSPS
5. NETEC

About NETEC

A Partnership for Preparedness

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.

Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems.

For more information visit NETEC on the web at www.netec.org.

NETEC Consultation Services

Assess and Advance Your Readiness for Special Pathogens with Free, Expert Consulting.

NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert.

For more information visit: netec.org/consulting-services.