Back to School: Diseases Lurking in the Classroom
As students head back to school, health experts are watching for infectious diseases that can spread quickly in classrooms. Declining vaccination rates raise the risk for preventable illnesses like measles and whooping cough, while flu, strep, COVID-19, RSV, and other circulating viruses could create a “perfect storm” for outbreaks.
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, pathologists from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) shared what they’re seeing in the lab, the top threats to watch this school year, and practical prevention measures schools and families can take to reduce risk.
Panelists:
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Bobbi Pritt, MD, MSc, FCAP; Chair, CAP Council on Scientific Affairs, Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Chair of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic
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C. Leilani Valdes, MD, MBA, FCAP; Member, College of American Pathologists; Pathologist at Regional Pathology Associates
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David A. Schwartz, MD, MS Hyg, FCAP; Member, College of American Pathologists; Deputy Editor in Chief for the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Watch the discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZIyLfbfeHU