Yesterday, the U.S. CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory about New World screwworm cases on the Mexico side of the Texas-Mexico border. New World screwworm is primarily a disease of livestock, though humans can become infected. There are currently no human or animal cases in the United States, though it is an encroaching threat.
Against the backdrop of resurgent pertussis and measles, a recent infant botulism outbreak, and a changing vaccine schedule, screwworm feels like a distant concern. Yet clinicians have not received a HAN on these more pressing issues. The last advisory covering a disease with U.S. cases was in March, three HANs ago.
This is the gap I want to close with FOI Clinical, a new outbreak monitoring service I’m launching. There is no quick, easy way for front-line clinicians like pediatricians, family doctors, or emergency physicians to get a recurring, plain-language briefing on which infectious diseases are emerging or spiking. FOI Clinical is designed to be that resource.
Where Force of Infection tracks seasonal respiratory viruses for a general audience, FOI Clinical focuses on reportable diseases, emerging outbreaks, and related policy changes that affect patient care. The data on recent trends is fragmented across different sources and difficult to access. Most clinicians end up hearing about outbreaks from their patients or the news. We will do the monitoring and analysis and deliver it in a format designed for quick reference by clinicians, provider groups, and institutional subscribers.
Although I’m building this with clinicians in mind, I know many of you are reading because you or someone you care for is medically vulnerable and you want to stay informed. You are welcome to join, too. The same information that helps a pediatrician know what’s circulating can help you make decisions about your own risk.
I expect the first edition in February 2026, and alerts as needed. The founding member discount is available now, or sign up to be notified when we officially launch.