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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Health Emergencies

The Global Center for Health Security is the premier U.S. institution for management of high-consequence infections.

This page provides insights into current health emergencies and outbreaks to watch, and  features biweekly infectious disease briefings by James Lawler, MD, PhD, FIDSA.  Scroll down to learn more about our current health emergencies and to view Dr. Lawler's recordings.

Explore Health Emergencies

Browse current and past health emergencies, and outbreaks to watch.

Region 7 Infectious Disease Briefings 

 

Image of a graphic of Dr. Lawler's Infectious Disease Briefing

UNMC’s GCHS, in collaboration with the Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem (R7DHRE) conducts biweekly meetings with local and state public health and healthcare representatives. These meetings focus on reviewing and discussing recent developments related to current infectious disease challenges. Dr. James V. Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA, presents comprehensive updates on data and advancements at local, state, national, and international levels. Additionally, regional experts offer insights into current outbreaks and clinical situations within Region 7.

Recorded updates are accessible for further information. Watch the recordings below.

 
Register for the Region 7 Infectious Disease Briefings 

 

2025 Region 7 Infectious Disease Briefings

Date Subject
 

For older statewide briefings, please visit our archived page.

1/13/26
  • Updates on Marburg Virus Disease, H5N1, Measles, Influenza, COVID-19, and Child Vaccinations 

Click here to watch here. 

12/9/25
  • Clinical Update: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-COV) (presented by David Brett-Major, MD, MPH)
  • ACIP Recommendation Update (presented by Anne O'Keefe, MD, MPH)
  • Region 7 Updates

Click here to watch

11/25/25
  • Marburg Virus Disease- Ethiopia Outbreak; Measles surge; COVID-19 XFG strain; Influenza updates 

Click here to watch. 

11/11/25
  • H5N1; Measles; Current data for COVID-19, RSV & Influenza; Interesting COVID-19 news of the week; Concerning news of the week; 

Click here to watch. 

10/28/25
  • H5N1; COVID-19; Measles; Recent Studies & News Articles;
  • A respiratory disease outbreak in Iowa; Legionella; (presented by Matthew Donahue, MD, Iowa)

Click here to watch. 

10/14/25
  • Ebola in DRC; H5N1; Measles; COVID-19 & Variants 

Click here to watch. 

9/30/25
  • Infectious Disease Updates (H5N1; Influenza; Measles; COVID-19 & Variants; Ebola in DRC) (presented by Angela Hewlett, MD, MS)

Click here to watch. 

9/16/25
  • H5N1 Updates & Wastewater Data; Current Measles Statistics; COVID-19 Variant XFG; Ebola Zaire Outbreak in the DRC 

Click here to watch. 

9/2/24
  • Measles Update; COVID-19 Variants; Vaccine Updates; Underlying Conditions & the Higher Risk of COVID-19; 
  • STI, HVI & Viral Hepatitis Briefings (presented by Dustin Hampton, MO DHSS; Debra Guilbault, KDHE)

Click here to watch. 

8/19/25
  •   H5N1 Status; Measles Cases & Outbreaks; COVID-19 Cases; Vaccine Updates; 
  • New World ScrewwormUpdate (presented by Sidney Stein, DVM, MPH, Nebraska)
  • Naegleria Fowleri (Brain-Eating Amoeba) Update (presented by Nathan Koffarnus, Missouri)

Click here to watch. 

8/5/25
  • H5N1 Update | Seasonal Flu Interlude: News from the South | Measles Cases | COVID-19 Wastewater Testing, Status & Studies
  • Vector-Borne Disease Updates (presented by Jeff Hamick, Nebraska; Julie Coughlin, Iowa; Erin Petro; Kansas)
Click here to watch.
7/22/25
  • H5N1 & Measles Status | COVID-19 Surge & New Variants | Study: "Characterizing Long COVID Symptoms During Early Childhood" | Mpox Updates

Click here to watch

7/8/25
  • H5N1, COVID-19, and Measles Updates
Click here to watch. 
6/24/25
  •  H5N1 Status | Measles Update | COVID-19 (Upward Wasterwater Trends & Post-COVID in Children Study | Vaccine News 

Click here to watch. 

6/10/25
  • H5N1 Updates | COVID-19 Mutations & Variants | Influenza Data & Vaccines 
Click here to watch. 
2025 Region 7 Infectious Disease Briefings