This episode of Transmission Interrupted dives deep into the fascinating world of seasonal special pathogens, exploring the reasons why certain infectious diseases emerge and surge at specific times of year. Host Jill Morgan is joined by Dr. Susan McLellan and Dr. Lindsay Busch, two experts in infectious diseases and biocontainment, for a captivating discussion on Nipah virus and Lassa fever.

From emergency rooms filled during flu season to the quirky, unexpected ways that bats and rodents drive outbreaks in far-off regions, our guests break down what makes these pathogens so unique. Learn how cultural practices, environmental changes, and climate can influence the risk of transmission, and why understanding "One Health" and anthropology is vital for outbreak control.

Perfect for clinicians, public health enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how diseases move through populations, this episode offers practical insight into recognizing risk factors, travel histories, and how global disease surveillance impacts communities everywhere.

Packed with real-world stories, unexpected facts, and expert advice for spotting and responding to these high-consequence infections, this episode is not to be missed.

Subscribe to Transmission Interrupted for more episodes and resources: netec.org/podcast

Questions or ideas for future shows? Email us at info@netec.org.

Assistant Professor, Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine;

Associate Medical Director, Emory University Serious Communicable Diseases Unit

Critical Care Liaison, Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Program

Director, Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education (SPECTRE)

University of Texas Medical Branch

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).

1. Lassa Fever resources at NETEC
2. Nipah resources at NETEC
3. Transmission Interrupted Podcast
4. NETEC YouTube
5. Sign up for NETEC's Email Newsletter

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness...

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan sits down with Abbey Lowe, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the lead for the Special Pathogens Research Network (SPRN) Work Group One. Together, they break down the often-overlooked world of clinical research in special pathogens response—demystifying everything from Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to the essential preparedness required for rapid research and ethical problem-solving during outbreaks.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or just curious about what happens “behind the scenes” when new pathogens emerge, this episode is packed with insight. Abby Lowe offers a candid look at how networks like NETEC and SPRN prepare to blend the slow, methodical processes of research oversight with the urgent demands of outbreak response. The conversation also highlights the importance of ethics, patient consent, rapid protocol development, and how future expansion to more treatment centers might change the game.

Tune in to learn how unglamorous but vital groundwork in research and ethics lays the foundation for saving lives—and improving care—when it matters most.

Abbey Lowe, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Allied Health Professions, Department of Allied Health Professions Education, Research, and Practice, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a UNMC Global Center for Health Security Scholar.

She is affiliate faculty of Medical Humanities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Abbey’s interests are at the intersection of ethics, health policy, and health security, and her research focuses on ethics in public health emergencies. Her research is grounded in mixed methods research leveraging her expertise in conducting structured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and facilitation. Abbey’s work has been published in the AMA Journal of Ethics, the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, and the Journal of Public Health Policy, among others.

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).

1. NETEC Special Pathogens Research Network
2. NETEC Resource Library: Research Design Resources
3. Transmission Interrupted Podcast
4. NETEC YouTube
5. NETEC Email Newsletter

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen...

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan explores the high-stakes world of EMS preparedness with guests Matt Sasser and Alex Isakoff. Get an inside look at what it really takes to be ready for anything—from unexpected emergencies on the road to transporting patients with high-consequence infectious diseases.

The team shares real stories, expert insights, and lessons learned from hands-on drills, large-scale exercises, and unique scenarios. Discover the importance of the "staff, stuff, and space" mantra, why iterative training makes the difference in crisis moments, and how building a culture of preparedness through practice ultimately keeps both EMS providers and patients safe.

Whether you're a frontline responder, hospital clinician, or simply interested in public health, this conversation unpacks the challenges and triumphs of special pathogen preparedness—and why cultivating expertise, collaboration, and ongoing support is essential for communities everywhere.

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

Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.

NETEC EMS Workgroup Co-Lead

Executive Director for Health Security

Professor of Emergency Medicine

Emory School of Medicine

Alex Isakov’s Emory University Profile

Medical Director, MedSTAR Transport

Medical Director, Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium

Emergency Physician, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

Matt Sasser’s MedStar Health Profile

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).

• NETEC EMS Biosafety Transport for Operators online course
• NETEC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Featured Resources
• NETEC Special Pathogen Operational Readiness Assessment for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• ASPR TRACIE EMS Infectious Disease Playboo
• EMS Model Procedural Guidelines for Special Pathogens
• NETEC Resource...

On this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan sits down with Dr. John Horton, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory, to explore one of the most challenging intersections in healthcare: special pathogens and pregnancy. From emerging threats like Ebola and Marburg to familiar concerns like measles and chickenpox, they dive deep into what makes caring for pregnant patients so uniquely complex in the face of infectious diseases.

Join us for a candid and insightful conversation on the evolving best practices for labor and delivery in high-risk situations. Dr. Horton shares lessons learned on the front lines, why compassion and humanity matter as much as protocol, and practical advice on infection prevention, disaster drills, and protecting both patients and healthcare workers.

Whether you’re in obstetrics, infectious disease, emergency preparedness, or just curious about what makes pregnancy and pathogens such a tough clinical challenge, this episode is packed with fresh insights and actionable takeaways.

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs

Gynecology and Obstetrics Department

Emory University

Dr. John Horton is the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for Emory University’s Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. He also serves as Emory Healthcare’s Division Director for General Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Interim Operations Director for the Gynecologic Specialties Division. Additionally, Dr. Horton is the Director of the Obstetric Rapid Response Team at Emory Healthcare and is Associate Professor at the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Jill Morgan, RN

Emory Healthcare

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).

• NETEC:https://netec.org
• NETEC Resource Library:https://repository.netecweb.org/
• NETEC YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheNETEC
• NETEC Newsletter:https://netec.org/newsletter-sign-up/
• Transmission Interrupted:https://netec.org/podcast/

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.

• Transmission Interrupted:netec.org/podcast
• NETEC Resource Library:repository.netecweb.org
• NETEC YouTube:YouTube.com/thenetec
• NETEC eLearning Center:courses.netec.org

• EMS-specific PPE challenges & solutions
• When and how PPE decisions are made in the field
• Adapting to tough environments: weather, resources, and teamwork
• Overcoming PPE fatigue and burnout post-pandemic
• Strategies for effective training and resource utilization
• Building a system-wide culture of safety—from the 911 call to hospital handoff

• Disaster Available Supplies in Hospitals (DASH) Tool:https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/dash-tool
• NETEC VHF Checklist:https://netec.org/vhfchecklist
• Request the Readiness Assessment for Hospitals:https://netec.org/readiness-assessments/hospital-assessment-areas/hospital-readiness-assessment-sign-up/
• Need assistance? Ask NETEC:https://netec.org/consulting-services/ask-our-experts/
• NETEC:https://netec.org/
• NETEC Resource Library:https://repository.netecweb.org
• Transmission Interrupted:https://netec.org/podcast/