Alex Sundermann, DrPH
@sundermannaj.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Epidemiology @ Pitt Public Health | Outbreaks, Genomic Epidemiology, Public Health 🕵🏼♂️ | DrPH, CIC, FAPIC | Hubs & Dad of 2
https://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/directory/alexander-sundermann
https://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/directory/alexander-sundermann
Pinned
Our new commentary out today in @asm.org AAC: "Pathogen genomics in healthcare: overcoming barriers to proactive surveillance"!
Here, my colleagues and I discuss the promises, barriers, and potential solutions for genomic surveillance in healthcare 🦠
#IDSky #PublicHealth
doi.org/10.1128/aac....
Here, my colleagues and I discuss the promises, barriers, and potential solutions for genomic surveillance in healthcare 🦠
#IDSky #PublicHealth
doi.org/10.1128/aac....
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
We need to quickly return to medical information and recommendations being based on sound science, not unverified opinions.
Read our full joint statement: bit.ly/47S6LNE
Read our full joint statement: bit.ly/47S6LNE
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
We need to quickly return to medical information and recommendations being based on sound science, not unverified opinions.
Read our full joint statement: bit.ly/47S6LNE
Read our full joint statement: bit.ly/47S6LNE
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
Decades of rigorous and scientifically sound research have proven that vaccines do not cause autism. CDC’s decision to change language on its website reversing that finding is reckless & harmful.
Our statement w/ @hivma.bsky.social, APIC, @sheaepi.bsky.social & @sidpharm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3XEc0KH
Our statement w/ @hivma.bsky.social, APIC, @sheaepi.bsky.social & @sidpharm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3XEc0KH
November 21, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Decades of rigorous and scientifically sound research have proven that vaccines do not cause autism. CDC’s decision to change language on its website reversing that finding is reckless & harmful.
Our statement w/ @hivma.bsky.social, APIC, @sheaepi.bsky.social & @sidpharm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3XEc0KH
Our statement w/ @hivma.bsky.social, APIC, @sheaepi.bsky.social & @sidpharm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3XEc0KH
Outbreak messaging 101: don’t downplay the severity or findings of federal agencies…
So wild to see some of these statements in an early outbreak investigation with a novel scenario
#IDSky
So wild to see some of these statements in an early outbreak investigation with a novel scenario
#IDSky
On the ByHeart formula recall: “I have never seen a company so aggressively fight to deny the evidence against them," @cspinet.org's Sarah Sorscher said. Why food safety experts are alarmed by the company's response to the infant botulism outbreak:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/b...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/b...
ByHeart’s ‘bizarre’ response to infant botulism outbreak worries food safety experts
ByHeart’s ‘bizarre’ response to infant botulism outbreak worries food safety experts.
www.statnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Outbreak messaging 101: don’t downplay the severity or findings of federal agencies…
So wild to see some of these statements in an early outbreak investigation with a novel scenario
#IDSky
So wild to see some of these statements in an early outbreak investigation with a novel scenario
#IDSky
Our new paper out: AI boosted our genomic surveillance investigations by finding 37 missed transmission routes and reaching >90% sensitivity in key scenarios.
AI + WGS can speed outbreak reviews and help IP teams act faster #IDSky
Genomic surveillance is a key must!
📃: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
AI + WGS can speed outbreak reviews and help IP teams act faster #IDSky
Genomic surveillance is a key must!
📃: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
November 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Our new paper out: AI boosted our genomic surveillance investigations by finding 37 missed transmission routes and reaching >90% sensitivity in key scenarios.
AI + WGS can speed outbreak reviews and help IP teams act faster #IDSky
Genomic surveillance is a key must!
📃: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
AI + WGS can speed outbreak reviews and help IP teams act faster #IDSky
Genomic surveillance is a key must!
📃: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
Ahh, there goes my DrPH and MPH 🤦🏼♂️
🚨Dept. of Education proposes to exclude public health degrees from the “professional degree” category.
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Ahh, there goes my DrPH and MPH 🤦🏼♂️
Aerosolizing pathogens from sink drains? New study shows it can happen & possibly cause transmission
Drain biofilm bacteria found in droplets and aerosols ▶️ spread into room
Possible sources of HAIs #IDSky
📄: www.ajicjournal.org/article/S019...
Drain biofilm bacteria found in droplets and aerosols ▶️ spread into room
Possible sources of HAIs #IDSky
📄: www.ajicjournal.org/article/S019...
November 6, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Aerosolizing pathogens from sink drains? New study shows it can happen & possibly cause transmission
Drain biofilm bacteria found in droplets and aerosols ▶️ spread into room
Possible sources of HAIs #IDSky
📄: www.ajicjournal.org/article/S019...
Drain biofilm bacteria found in droplets and aerosols ▶️ spread into room
Possible sources of HAIs #IDSky
📄: www.ajicjournal.org/article/S019...
Check out @vatsalars.bsky.social new paper!
Genomics can help deduce sources of transmission for respiratory viruses acquired in the hospital setting ⤵️
#IDSky
Genomics can help deduce sources of transmission for respiratory viruses acquired in the hospital setting ⤵️
#IDSky
🆕 New in ICHE: Genomic epidemiology of HAI respiratory viruses in Pittsburgh, 2018–2020
🧬 WGS of 436 healthcare-associated respiratory virus infections:
• 14 clusters ▶️ 36 patients
• Clusters often in a single unit
• Avg cluster duration 16 days (range 0-55)
#IDSky
📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
🧬 WGS of 436 healthcare-associated respiratory virus infections:
• 14 clusters ▶️ 36 patients
• Clusters often in a single unit
• Avg cluster duration 16 days (range 0-55)
#IDSky
📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
November 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Check out @vatsalars.bsky.social new paper!
Genomics can help deduce sources of transmission for respiratory viruses acquired in the hospital setting ⤵️
#IDSky
Genomics can help deduce sources of transmission for respiratory viruses acquired in the hospital setting ⤵️
#IDSky
Our new pre-print: ACCIO 🪄🦠💨
A new tool led by @nathanraabe.bsky.social detects plasmids from short, long, & hybrid assemblies w/ high accuracy
It uses a curated local plasmid database & structural similarity metrics to infer which plasmids are present
#IDSky
Preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
A new tool led by @nathanraabe.bsky.social detects plasmids from short, long, & hybrid assemblies w/ high accuracy
It uses a curated local plasmid database & structural similarity metrics to infer which plasmids are present
#IDSky
Preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
ACCIO: An Assembly-Based Tool Enabling Plasmid Detection
Plasmids are extrachromosomal mobile genetic elements that often carry genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Plasmid epidemiology aims to track the evolution and spread of plasmids, but the ...
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Our new pre-print: ACCIO 🪄🦠💨
A new tool led by @nathanraabe.bsky.social detects plasmids from short, long, & hybrid assemblies w/ high accuracy
It uses a curated local plasmid database & structural similarity metrics to infer which plasmids are present
#IDSky
Preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
A new tool led by @nathanraabe.bsky.social detects plasmids from short, long, & hybrid assemblies w/ high accuracy
It uses a curated local plasmid database & structural similarity metrics to infer which plasmids are present
#IDSky
Preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
Due to the USG Shutdown, I wasn’t able to attend or present @idweek.bsky.social. I was supposed to give the talk on top viral studies that will impact your practice. Here are the papers I was going to highlight:
See next posts
See next posts
October 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Due to the USG Shutdown, I wasn’t able to attend or present @idweek.bsky.social. I was supposed to give the talk on top viral studies that will impact your practice. Here are the papers I was going to highlight:
See next posts
See next posts
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
Our newest paper is now on medRxiv!
We used WGS to identify overlap in transmission between university students and the local community.
The results highlight the need for integrated genomic surveillance, coordinated interventions, and data-driven public health policies!
We used WGS to identify overlap in transmission between university students and the local community.
The results highlight the need for integrated genomic surveillance, coordinated interventions, and data-driven public health policies!
Whole Genome Sequencing to Study SARS-CoV-2 Transmission between University Students and the Surrounding Community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2020-2021 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.14.25337767v1
October 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Our newest paper is now on medRxiv!
We used WGS to identify overlap in transmission between university students and the local community.
The results highlight the need for integrated genomic surveillance, coordinated interventions, and data-driven public health policies!
We used WGS to identify overlap in transmission between university students and the local community.
The results highlight the need for integrated genomic surveillance, coordinated interventions, and data-driven public health policies!
Great to see the CLEEN trial highlighted in the #IDWeek2025 session Influential Publications in Health Care Epidemiology! Strong work @1healthau.bsky.social 👏🏻
Presenting by @trtalbot.bsky.social
📄: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Presenting by @trtalbot.bsky.social
📄: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
October 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Great to see the CLEEN trial highlighted in the #IDWeek2025 session Influential Publications in Health Care Epidemiology! Strong work @1healthau.bsky.social 👏🏻
Presenting by @trtalbot.bsky.social
📄: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Presenting by @trtalbot.bsky.social
📄: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
It looks so amazing up close!! Beautiful - I’m absolutely ecstatic and can’t wait to show it off in my office 😃
Pic from my visit in 2023 😅
Pic from my visit in 2023 😅
October 16, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It looks so amazing up close!! Beautiful - I’m absolutely ecstatic and can’t wait to show it off in my office 😃
Pic from my visit in 2023 😅
Pic from my visit in 2023 😅
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
"We can stop hospital outbreaks before they grow. We can save lives. But first, we have to look."
@sundermannaj.bsky.social argues that genomic surveillance can prevent infections, save lives, & reduce healthcare costs by catching outbreaks before they spread.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
@sundermannaj.bsky.social argues that genomic surveillance can prevent infections, save lives, & reduce healthcare costs by catching outbreaks before they spread.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
Opinion | We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks -- So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can help contain local and nationwide threats
www.medpagetoday.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"We can stop hospital outbreaks before they grow. We can save lives. But first, we have to look."
@sundermannaj.bsky.social argues that genomic surveillance can prevent infections, save lives, & reduce healthcare costs by catching outbreaks before they spread.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
@sundermannaj.bsky.social argues that genomic surveillance can prevent infections, save lives, & reduce healthcare costs by catching outbreaks before they spread.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
truth
October 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
truth
My new piece in @medpagetoday.com
We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks - So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can prevent outbreaks from spreading, save lives, and costs.
So what’s holding it back from being implemented in hospitals?
#IDSky
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks - So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can prevent outbreaks from spreading, save lives, and costs.
So what’s holding it back from being implemented in hospitals?
#IDSky
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
Opinion | We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks -- So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can help contain local and nationwide threats
www.medpagetoday.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
My new piece in @medpagetoday.com
We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks - So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can prevent outbreaks from spreading, save lives, and costs.
So what’s holding it back from being implemented in hospitals?
#IDSky
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
We Can Stop Deadly Hospital Outbreaks - So Why Aren't We?
Genomic surveillance can prevent outbreaks from spreading, save lives, and costs.
So what’s holding it back from being implemented in hospitals?
#IDSky
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
While yes, EIS folks will be back, there will definitely be discouragement for the best of the best to apply for future cohorts of EIS that will have lasting long term effects.
Folks will have to consider to apply knowing they may get RIF’d on a whim
Folks will have to consider to apply knowing they may get RIF’d on a whim
TRUMP CDC REVERSAL: Trump administration racing to reverse some CDC layoffs. Disease detectives, measles responders, MMWR staff RIF’s are revoked. DC office still shuttered. w/ @apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Trump Administration Is Bringing Back Scores of C.D.C. Experts Fired in Error
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:33 AM
While yes, EIS folks will be back, there will definitely be discouragement for the best of the best to apply for future cohorts of EIS that will have lasting long term effects.
Folks will have to consider to apply knowing they may get RIF’d on a whim
Folks will have to consider to apply knowing they may get RIF’d on a whim
October 12, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Soooo no more MMWR?
“The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
“The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
October 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Soooo no more MMWR?
“The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
“The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
With the elimination of AHRQ and cuts to CDC, research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA will no longer be possible in the US. Sad for all my colleagues and our patients. @sheaepi.bsky.social @ichejournal.bsky.social @ashejournal.bsky.social
🆕 New in ICHE: Factors associated w/ HCP glove & gown contamination of MRSA
Contamination:
Gloves or gown: 713/3,832 (18.6%) of the time
Gloves: 15.4%
Gowns: 8.3%
Touching:
Patient: 622/2,901 (21.4%)
Environment: 91/931 (9.8%)
#IDSky
📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
Contamination:
Gloves or gown: 713/3,832 (18.6%) of the time
Gloves: 15.4%
Gowns: 8.3%
Touching:
Patient: 622/2,901 (21.4%)
Environment: 91/931 (9.8%)
#IDSky
📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
October 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
With the elimination of AHRQ and cuts to CDC, research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA will no longer be possible in the US. Sad for all my colleagues and our patients. @sheaepi.bsky.social @ichejournal.bsky.social @ashejournal.bsky.social
A journal's Publication Charges for a paper I just had accepted were so high that I had to ask my University to increase the limit on my University credit card just to pay for it...
Academia is crazy
Academia is crazy
October 6, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A journal's Publication Charges for a paper I just had accepted were so high that I had to ask my University to increase the limit on my University credit card just to pay for it...
Academia is crazy
Academia is crazy
Such a wild story!
3 human cases of NDM-CRE likely acquired from their respective pets who likely acquired it from a veterinary hospital outbreak!
Big reason for animal and human cases to be compared
Paper: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#IDSky
Reporting via @cvdall.bsky.social
3 human cases of NDM-CRE likely acquired from their respective pets who likely acquired it from a veterinary hospital outbreak!
Big reason for animal and human cases to be compared
Paper: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#IDSky
Reporting via @cvdall.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Such a wild story!
3 human cases of NDM-CRE likely acquired from their respective pets who likely acquired it from a veterinary hospital outbreak!
Big reason for animal and human cases to be compared
Paper: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#IDSky
Reporting via @cvdall.bsky.social
3 human cases of NDM-CRE likely acquired from their respective pets who likely acquired it from a veterinary hospital outbreak!
Big reason for animal and human cases to be compared
Paper: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#IDSky
Reporting via @cvdall.bsky.social
#IDWeek2025: I always procrastinate registering/booking travel for conferences... I guess I should get on this now 😬
Who from #IDSky will be going?!
Who from #IDSky will be going?!
September 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
#IDWeek2025: I always procrastinate registering/booking travel for conferences... I guess I should get on this now 😬
Who from #IDSky will be going?!
Who from #IDSky will be going?!
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
You've heard me talk about it.
You've seen me write about it.
And now it's your chance to pre-order my forthcoming book Coverage Denied!
Combining survey & administrative data with extensive interviews, my book highlights the harms caused by coverage barriers. Hope you'll read it!
cup.org/4nfM2IM
You've seen me write about it.
And now it's your chance to pre-order my forthcoming book Coverage Denied!
Combining survey & administrative data with extensive interviews, my book highlights the harms caused by coverage barriers. Hope you'll read it!
cup.org/4nfM2IM
Coming 2026!
@mirandayaver.bsky.social's Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States is a sobering account of the ways in which coverage denials damage patient health and exacerbate inequalities.
Pre-order now! 🗺️ 🩺📊
https://cup.org/4nfM2IM
@mirandayaver.bsky.social's Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States is a sobering account of the ways in which coverage denials damage patient health and exacerbate inequalities.
Pre-order now! 🗺️ 🩺📊
https://cup.org/4nfM2IM
September 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
You've heard me talk about it.
You've seen me write about it.
And now it's your chance to pre-order my forthcoming book Coverage Denied!
Combining survey & administrative data with extensive interviews, my book highlights the harms caused by coverage barriers. Hope you'll read it!
cup.org/4nfM2IM
You've seen me write about it.
And now it's your chance to pre-order my forthcoming book Coverage Denied!
Combining survey & administrative data with extensive interviews, my book highlights the harms caused by coverage barriers. Hope you'll read it!
cup.org/4nfM2IM
STAT digging into HAIs, NHSN reporting, and avoidance
Great piece on the debacle of penalties driving undertesting and underreporting
Brings me back to my days as an IP, knowing that CDC NHSN manual like the back of my hand #IDSky
via @tarabannow.bsky.social ⤵️
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/h...
Great piece on the debacle of penalties driving undertesting and underreporting
Brings me back to my days as an IP, knowing that CDC NHSN manual like the back of my hand #IDSky
via @tarabannow.bsky.social ⤵️
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/h...
Hospitals get dinged for reporting too many infections. In some cases, the solution is not to test
A STAT Investigation: To avoid fines for reporting excessive hospital-acquired infections, some facilities are discouraging testing.
www.statnews.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
STAT digging into HAIs, NHSN reporting, and avoidance
Great piece on the debacle of penalties driving undertesting and underreporting
Brings me back to my days as an IP, knowing that CDC NHSN manual like the back of my hand #IDSky
via @tarabannow.bsky.social ⤵️
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/h...
Great piece on the debacle of penalties driving undertesting and underreporting
Brings me back to my days as an IP, knowing that CDC NHSN manual like the back of my hand #IDSky
via @tarabannow.bsky.social ⤵️
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/h...
Reposted by Alex Sundermann, DrPH
September 16, 2025 at 1:55 AM