(An ASM-CDC Webinar)
In July 2026, a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora was reported, with the CDC currently reporting over 18,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and additional probable cases. This webinar will examine the partnership between clinical and public health laboratories during outbreak response, from surveillance and epidemiologic investigations to diagnostic testing and patient care. We will discuss testing guidance, resource development, data sharing and strategies for rapidly scaling laboratory operations to meet unprecedented demand. The session will also discuss emerging diagnostic technologies, diagnostic stewardship considerations and lessons learned that can help laboratories prepare for and respond to future outbreaks.
This webinar is in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to do the following:
- Review up-to-date surveillance and public health updates on the 2026 cyclospora outbreak.
- Identify laboratory resources, testing guidance and diagnostic stewardship considerations during a cyclospora outbreak.
- Develop operational strategies for implementing and scaling parasitology testing during periods of increased demand.
- Discuss the role of emerging diagnostic technologies (i.e., AI-assisted microscopic review), workflow innovations and genotyping methods in outbreak response.
Webinar Date and Time
Sept. 24, 2026, 12 p.m. ET
Presenters
Heather Blankenship, Ph.D.
Genomics Technical Director
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Bureau of Laboratories
Paul Lephart, Ph.D., D(ABMM)
Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
Joint Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology
University of Michigan
Audience
This webinar is intended for medical and public health microbiologists of all levels of experience.
Level of Instruction
Intermediate.
Additional Information
- This webinar is free to ASM members and non-members.
- The recording will become available within 1 week following the live webinar.
- Zoom closed captioning is provided. Please email ASM if other accommodations are needed.
- Questions? Contact Nicole Jackson, clinmicro@asmusa.org.
Continuing Education (CE) Credit
This presentation is approved for 1.0 P.A.C.E. ®, California or Florida credit.
ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education (P.A.C.E. ®) is an administrative system established to stimulate and serve as the quality assurance mechanism for continuing education programs offered to clinical laboratory professionals by ASCLS constituent societies, laboratory industry, government agencies, hospitals and educational organizations.
ASM is accredited by the California Department of Health to offer continuing education for California Clinical Laboratory Personnel.
ASM is accredited by the Florida Department of Health to offer continuing education for Florida Clinical Laboratory Personnel.