Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Growth, Collaboration, and Impact at NETEC
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As we close out 2025, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) continues to advance its mission of strengthening the nation’s preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). From expanding our educational footprint to deepening international partnerships and supporting healthcare facilities through consultations and exercises, 2025 has been a year marked by meaningful progress and powerful collaboration.
Below is a look at NETEC’s key activities, achievements, and milestones from the past year.
Consultation & Assessment
NETEC continues to provide expert virtual and on-site readiness support for healthcare facilities, EMS agencies, and public health partners managing special pathogen preparedness. This year:
- 138 completed Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Preparedness Checklists
- 72 hospital and 2 EMS consultation requests were submitted
- 39 hospital-based Special Pathogens Operational Readiness Self-Assessments (SPORSAs) and 12 EMS SPORSAs were requested
Large-Scale Readiness Efforts
NETEC supported multiple large-scale readiness initiatives, including a major tabletop exercise with more than 515 participants designed to advance preparedness for the 2026 World Cup.
ASPR Tranquil Passport Exercise
NETEC also supported the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Tranquil Passport special pathogen movement exercise, which focused on coordinated patient transport and system readiness. The exercise included participation from:
- 7 hospitals representing Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs)
- 3 EMS agencies
Together, these engagements help ensure health systems are equipped with the processes, training, and confidence needed to respond effectively to high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) events.
Start the VHF Preparedness Checklist.
Education & Training
Education remains central to NETEC’s mission, and in 2025 we expanded learning opportunities across formats.
Webinars
NETEC delivered 6 live webinars this year, engaging 2,885 attendees across the U.S. and internationally.
Topics included the high-demand CDC Ebola webinar on the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak, which brought together experts to share updates on outbreak response, epidemiology, infection control, clinical management, and national coordination through the NSPS.
Online Courses
NETEC’s library now includes 35 online courses, with 3,591 course enrollments in 2025—demonstrating the continued value of accessible, on-demand HCID training for healthcare and public health professionals.
In-Person Trainings
NETEC brought hands-on preparedness training to two regions this year:
- Region 6 – San Antonio (April 2025): 36 attendees
- Region 9 – San Francisco (June 2025): 39 attendees
These full-day, immersive experiences strengthen clinical, operational, and emergency management competencies for special pathogen response.
Podcasts
NETEC’s Transmission Interrupted podcast expanded significantly this year:
- 12 new episodes released
- 3,954 unique listeners, reflecting growing engagement and demand for expert-driven infectious disease content
Listen to Transmission Interrupted.
Downloadable Resources
This year NETEC added 25 new downloadable tools, supporting preparedness teams with updated, practical materials.
Our Resource Library saw 13,644 downloads, underscoring its role as a trusted hub for HCID guidance, checklists, illustrations, and training aids.
Browse NETEC’s Resource Library.
Conferences & Events
NETEC engaged with healthcare professionals and emergency preparedness leaders at six major conferences:
- ACEP
- AHEPP
- APIC
- IDWeek
- NAEMSP
- NHCPC
Our team contributed expertise through:
- 3 national panels (APIC Presentation, APIC Solution Circle, IDWeek panel)
- 1 pre-conference workshop led by NETEC EMS experts
These events amplified NETEC’s impact while fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration across the preparedness community.
International Engagements
NETEC strengthened global preparedness through strategic partnerships and international exchanges, including:
- 3 MOUs signed with the Japan Institute for Health Security (with Emory University, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue)
- 3 visitors from Japan for MOU signings
- 3 visitors from Korea at Bellevue Hospital in January
- 2 Korean delegates attending trainings at Bellevue Hospital and UNMC
- 11 visitors from the Pakistani Health Delegation hosted at Emory
These collaborations reinforce global HCID readiness and advance shared learning across borders.
Media & Visibility
NETEC’s work reached broad audiences this year with 166 media mentions highlighting our expertise and contributions to national and global preparedness efforts.
Regional Preparedness
As the Coordinating Body for the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS), NETEC continues to support NSPS facilities through training, operational guidance, and exercises to ensure readiness for special pathogen events.
Looking Ahead
NETEC’s accomplishments in 2025 would not be possible without the dedication of our subject matter experts, clinicians, public health professionals, and our 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs). We also extend our deep appreciation to our international partners and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), particularly the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), for their ongoing support.
Together, we remain committed to strengthening the capability of the U.S. public health and healthcare systems to safely and effectively manage special pathogens in 2026 and beyond.