Preparedness for HHS Region 2, spanning NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, expanded ahead of the influx of visitors for 2026 World Cup events
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced today that it has trained close to 500 health care and public health professionals across four jurisdictions in 2025 to respond to high-consequence infectious disease threats. As the federally designated Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Center (RESPTC) for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 2, Bellevue Hospital delivered hands-on education in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), patient isolation, laboratory safety, and emergency transport to health care professionals working in health care facilities across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). These trainings support HHS Region 2 preparedness efforts in advance of the more than one million international visitors expected for 2026 World Cup events at MetLife Stadium.
“Preparedness is a core part of Bellevue Hospital’s mission as New York City’s flagship public hospital,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA. “We are proud to support health care and public health teams across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with the training and coordination needed to respond quickly and safely to high-consequence infectious disease threats.”
“Special pathogen readiness has to be operational, not theoretical,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, Chief, Critical Care and Chief, Special Pathogens Program, Bellevue Hospital. “As international travel and major events increase across our region, our trainings strengthen the hands-on skills and coordination needed to protect patients, staff, and communities.”…