Pulse: Rare Bugs and Real Pressure

In this week's LabReflex Pulse we talk about:Hantavirus on the M/V HondiusA recent hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel highlights the lab’s role in rare-disease recognition, exposure history, reference lab coordination, and public health escalation.New World ScrewwormNew World screwworm activity in Central America and Mexico is a One Health reminder: human health, animal health, agriculture, travel, and public health surveillance are connected. The lab lesson is recognition, specimen handling, and knowing when to escalate.PAMA / CLFS Reporting WindowThe 2026 PAMA reporting window is open from May 1 through July 31, 2026. This matters because reimbursement policy shapes what testing labs can sustainably offer.