NETEC Podcasts

Travel, Triage and Transmission: US Healthcare and the 2026 World Cup

In this timely episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan sits down with Dr. Alex Isakov, Medical Director of the Emory Grady EMS Biosafety Transport Program, to explore the unique healthcare challenges presented by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With eleven U.S. cities preparing to welcome visitors from 48 countries, the conversation digs into how the influx of international travelers brings both excitement and a complex spectrum of public health considerations. Dr. Isakov sheds light on the heightened vigilance required of frontline healthcare personnel, emphasizing the increased likelihood of encountering diseases not routinely seen in the United States, from vector-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue to the risks of global outbreaks such as measles or norovirus.

The discussion also broadens beyond infectious diseases, touching on the operational demands that mass gatherings impose on health systems, including the management of injuries, heat illness, and crowd-related incidents. Dr. Isakov and Jill offer practical advice for both travelers and providers, highlighting the importance of vaccination, hand hygiene, and staying informed about evolving health risks. They stress the need for preparedness not just within host cities but nationwide, as World Cup attendees are expected to venture far beyond stadiums, making readiness a shared responsibility. As the countdown to kickoff continues, this episode offers essential insights for anyone charged with safeguarding public health during one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Rodents to Reality: The Truth about Hantavirus

In this timely podcast episode, NETEC’s Jill Morgan (Emory University) and Dr. Gaby Frank of The Johns Hopkins Special Pathogens Center discuss Andes hantavirus, including its potential for human-to-human transmission. They clarify what “close contact” means, examine risks to the general public, and emphasize the importance of preparedness and ongoing research.

Summer Travel Q&A: Expert Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy

Please note: This episode was recorded before the recent hantavirus outbreak. A forthcoming NETEC podcast episode will provide expert insight into hantavirus transmission, clinical presentation, preparedness considerations, and healthcare worker safety resources.

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan tackles the essential topic of summer travel safety and health. As families and individuals plan vacations and outdoor activities, Jill answers common questions about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from illness and accidents that can disrupt holiday plans. From the importance of keeping up-to-date on vaccinations to fundamental hygiene practices like handwashing and respiratory etiquette, the episode explores how simple, proactive steps can help prevent the most common summertime pathogens and issues.

Listeners will gain insights on risks associated with summer fun at the lake or beach, including rare but serious infections, as well as more common concerns like food-borne illnesses and gastrointestinal bugs. Jill Morgan also explains the dangers posed by vector-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya, especially for those traveling to international destinations where these illnesses are more prevalent. Jill provides practical advice for using bug spray, sunscreen, and first aid kits, and highlights the importance of water and food safety, as well as awareness around heat-related illnesses. Whether planning a backyard barbecue, a cross-country road trip, or an international adventure, this episode equips travelers with tips to make summer both enjoyable and safe.

Special Pathogens

Special Pathogens and the World Cup

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 influenzas, 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.

Inside the NSPS: Dr. Laura Evans’ Vision for the National Special Pathogen System
In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan interviews Dr. Laura Evans, the new executive director of the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS), about her path from critical care leadership at Bellevue to national special pathogen preparedness. Dr. Evans recounts how the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2014 Ebola outbreak shaped her focus on protecting healthcare workers while delivering high-quality care, and she describes Bellevue’s teamwork-driven responses, including Hurricane Sandy’s power crisis and evacuation supported by a fuel “bucket brigade.” She outlines NSPS’s goal of a tiered, trauma-like network built to be nimble and adaptable, discusses challenges such as sustaining hospital engagement, expanding Level 3 and 4 participation, and strengthening patient transport capacity, and frames upcoming mass gatherings like the World Cup as opportunities to advance preparedness nationwide.

NETEC Leadership Reflects: A Decade of Special Pathogen Preparedness in the US
In this episode, host Jill Morgan sits down with the principal investigators of NETEC—Dr. Aneesh Mehta, Dr. Vikramjit Mukherjee, and Dr. John Lowe—to reflect on a decade of advancing special pathogen preparedness across the U.S. healthcare system.

Together, they revisit the origins of NETEC, tracing back to the transformative events of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, and share their unique journeys as infectious disease experts, critical care clinicians, and scientists on the front lines.

The conversation dives into the challenges and lessons learned while building a national network equipped for high-consequence infectious diseases, the evolution from isolated specialty units to a system-wide approach, and the critical importance of healthcare worker safety. You’ll hear insights on what it takes to maintain readiness in a landscape of ever-changing threats, the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and a call to expand this “tight-knit club” of preparedness champions.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, public health advocate, or just curious about how the U.S. prepares for medical crises, this episode delivers an inspiring look at the past, present, and future of special pathogen response—and why it matters to us all.