It was wonderful to hear presentations from Susan and Philip presentations about respiratory IPC challenges in their health services and to see the photos of their work.  Thank you to both of you for sharing your work with us.  Next month we are looking forward to Scholar's presentation, thanks Scholar!  If anyone else would like to present some of their IPC challenges, please do let me know, as we would love to hear from you and would be happy to help in preparing a presentation.  We would also love to see any IPC photos that you would like to post on the WhatsApp chat too.

If you are interested to understand more about TB in the Western Pacific Region, check out:

• Tuberculosis in the Western Pacific Region dashboard, which gives regional and country specific data  
•  WHO in the Western Pacific urges decisive action to end TB - an article and webpage that provides links to many Western Pacific TB resources, including the Western Pacific Regional Framework to End TB: 2021-2030. 
• Tuberculosis in older adults: challenges and best practices in the Western Pacific Region - this journal article from 2023 gives country specific data and advice.
• WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis: module 1: prevention: infection prevention and control - provides practical advice on how to implement TB IPC in clinical services.
• The Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) Infection prevention and control guidelines 2021 also give advice about managing TB and other infections.

Maragaret was sharing with us at the start of the meeting about how people can subscribe to PacNet, to receive disease surveillance updates and alerts for the Western Pacific region.  To subscribe, send a message to FocalPointPPHSN-CB@spc.int 

Don't forget that next week is Infection Prevention and Control Week, 19 - 25 October, and this year's theme is Stand UPPP for IPC.   

• UNITE - Many Roles, One Goal—Protecting Patients and Providers
• PREVENT - Taking Action Today to Protect Health and Save Lives Tomorrow
• PROTECT - Infection Preventionists Protect – Now More Than Ever
• PREVAIL - Overpowering Opposition and Being Victorious

The Australasian College for IPC has some fun resources you could adapt for your team on their IPC week webpage.   
See how your team goes with this "Spot the Risk" game below!  I'll send out the answers at the end of October.