Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1545410
7 INFECTION CONTROL Infectious disease fellowships see decline in applicants, filled spots By Paige Twenter A s measles outbreaks continue to worsen across the U.S., the percentage of physicians seeking fellowships in infectious diseases is shrinking, according to data from the National Resident Matching Program. In a report published Feb. 19, the NRPM shared data from the Specialties Matching Service Matching program for the 2026 appointment year. In the program's 42-year history, 2026 marked a record-high appointment year with 15,846 active applicants competing for 15,358 fellowship positions across 6,606 programs. Although infectious disease fellowships offered 447 positions in 2026, only 319 applicants sought those roles. About 100 infectious disease programs went unfilled in 2026, according to the NRMP. For the infectious disease specialty, the number of available programs and positions have remained similar over the past few years, but the pool of applicants has steadily declined, according to the report. In 2022, 358 of 387 applicants matched into infectious disease fellowships. In 2026, 272 of the 319 applicants accomplished the same. e yearslong trend of fewer fellowship applicants for this specialty could weaken the nation's response to infectious disease outbreaks, which experts project will increase as vaccination rates decline. n NYC Health + Hospitals launches avian flu preparedness program By Ella Jeffries N YC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has launched a "mystery patient" program to help healthcare facilities strengthen preparedness for avian influenza and other infectious diseases. e program will send trained clinical evaluators posing as patients with symptoms and exposure histories consistent with avian flu to test real-time response at participating facilities, according to an April 28 hospital news release. e voluntary program is available to hospitals, emergency departments and ambulatory care settings across Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each drill lasts up to two hours and evaluates identification, isolation, infection control protocols and notification of public health authorities. Participating facilities will receive an aer-action report and improvement plan outlining their strengths and gaps. n Dartmouth hospital expands infectious disease care capacity By Mariah Taylor L ebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is expanding its infectious disease care capacity thanks to a grant. The $500,000 grant, awarded by the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, will be used to build the hospital's capacities as a level 2 special pathogen treatment center, according to a Feb. 18 system news release. The hospital would be the only one in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine with this designation. The funds will be used to expand access to specialized care and strengthen readiness through staff training, equipment acquisition, and development of systems for effective high-consequence infectious disease care delivery. n