HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

06/03/2026

When wildfire risk rises, readiness saves lives. Join the next session where experts will share promising practices for protecting patients, planning for evacuations, and strengthening wildfire response.

The June 9 session entitled “Wildfires: Patient Protection, Evacuation, and Health Effects” is part of a regular, monthly series, occurring from 12:00-1:15 PM ET on the second Tuesday of every month.

Participation is free, but registration is required. One hour of Continuing Medical Education, Continuing Nursing Education, and Continuing Education for Emergency Medical Services credits are available to participants who attend the live sessions and fill out a brief survey. Register Today: https://bit.ly/4bzs1Ye

Make sure you’re the first to know about each Clinical Readiness Rounds session. Sign up for the newsletter here by selecting the Clinical Readiness Rounds box under the “Programs” header: mcq2gw7gq8-hdsfhqxzn30v35pgy.pub.sfmc-content.com/pkfzr21dq5z.

06/02/2026

Five passengers from the MV Hondius are now back in their home states following their departure from UNMC’s National Quarantine Unit. They will be monitored for the next 21 days. ASPR coordinated their travel on non-commercial flights and ensured the appropriate PPE was deployed on the planes to help protect passengers, transportation staff, and the American people.

Thirteen passengers remain in Omaha and continue to undergo monitoring and clinical assessment following their exposure to Andes Hantavirus. Because symptoms of this variant can take up to 42 days to appear, all 18 of the former passengers were given the option to complete the entire period at the National Quarantine Unit. https://www.unmc.edu/newsroom/2026/06/02/five-former-passengers-depart-from-national-quarantine-unit/

06/02/2026

How can distributors support jurisdictional stockpile readiness? More than 400 state, local, tribal, and territorial public health, emergency management, and preparedness partners joined ASPR’s Strategic National Stockpile and HIDA to improve collaboration and increase awareness of the .

To learn about the practical ideas jurisdictions can implement now to strengthen preparedness and readiness through stronger partnerships, watch the archived webinar. https://www.hida.org/hida/distribution/events-education/webinars/preparedness/jurisdictional-stockpile-readiness.aspx

05/29/2026

When disasters overwhelm local hospitals and healthcare systems, the difference between a crisis and effective patient care can come down to trained teams, available beds, and a system that can connect patients to the right level of care.

That is where the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) plays a critical role.

NDMS stands ready to deploy medical, mortuary, veterinary, trauma, and critical care capabilities to support communities during emergencies. Just as importantly, NDMS helps coordinate patient movement and supports definitive care when local capacity is exhausted.

Strengthening NDMS means investing in the people, partnerships, and systems that help ensure care continues when communities need it most. It means strengthening and maintaining a capability that bolsters state and local resilience.

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, John Knox explains the vital role that NDMS plays in disaster response operations and why reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act is vital.

Read more: https://aspr.hhs.gov/ASPRBlog/Pages/BlogDetailView.aspx?ItemID=511

05/20/2026

ASPR continues to support the well-being of repatriated Americans at the National Quarantine Center following the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius.

Our responders are providing behavioral health and comfort care support for quarantined individuals. Our Regional Operations staff are working with federal, state, and local partners to keep response operations connected and coordinated.

05/18/2026

Join ASPR for a dynamic, hands-on demonstration of programs and resources available to prepare for, respond to, and recovery from disasters. You’ll discover how ASPR works alongside partners nationwide to strengthen national health security before, during, and after emergencies.

Here’s what we have in store for you:

✅Meet the National Disaster Medical System responders who deploy to support Americans during disasters.

✅Behind-the-scenes insights on plans and investments in onshoring and nearshoring pharmaceutical manufacturing of critical medicines and PPE.

✅Meet the experts leading research, development, and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

✅Live demonstrations of essential medical equipment used during disaster response.

✅Interactive displays featuring innovative IT platforms, including the emPOWER, ASPR TRACIE, and more.

Interested? RSVP today by emailing [email protected]. Please put “ASPR Day on the Hill 2026” in the subject line.

05/15/2026

Today, our nation will pause to honor fallen police officers. ASPR is providing public health and medical support at the National Peace Officers Memorial. Teams from the National Disaster Medical System are working behind-the-scenes to provide medical support to those working and attending the event.

We are proud to stand alongside the families and communities commemorating those officers who gave their lives in service, and we reaffirm our commitment to public service and the safety of our communities.

05/12/2026

ASPR is coordinating medical and operational support following the Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius. Yesterday, repatriated Americans were transported via Department of State airlift to ASPR-supported Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Emory Healthcare.

Find out how we’re working together to bring Americans home safely and protect public health. https://aspr.hhs.gov/2026Hantavirus-Outbreak/Pages/default.aspx

05/11/2026

Starting at 10:00 AM ET/9:00 AM CT: HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, John Knox and joins public health and medical experts following the arrival of American passengers from the MV Hondius. https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaMed

Serious medicine. Extraordinary care. For a physician, call 1.800.922.0000.