Ryan P. Westergaard
A5045117577- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Hepatitis C virus research
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Homelessness and Social Issues
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Respiratory viral infections research
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Primary Care and Health Outcomes
- Healthcare Policy and Management
- ICT in Developing Communities
- Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
University of Wisconsin–Madison
2016-2025
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
2020-2024
Highland Community College - Illinois
2024
Madison Group (United States)
2024
Johns Hopkins Medicine
2024
Johns Hopkins University
2013-2024
Holloman Air Force Base
2022
Computer Emergency Response Team
2022
Tulane University
2020-2021
Columbia University
2021
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html.† Hotspot counties are defined as those meeting all of the following baseline criteria: 1) >100 new COVID-19 cases in most recent 7 days, 2) an increase 7-day incidence over preceding incidence, 3) a decrease <60% or 3-day and 4) ratio to 30-day exceeds 0.31.In addition, hotspots must have met at least one >60% change incidence.Abbreviations: AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native; coronavirus disease 2019; NHPI Native Hawaiian/other...
Congregate work and residential locations are at increased risk for infectious disease transmission including respiratory illness outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), is primarily spread person to through droplets. Nationwide, meat poultry processing industry, an essential component of U.S. food infrastructure, employs approximately 500,000 persons, many whom in proximity other workers (1). Because reports initial cases COVID-19, some facilities, states...
Monkeypox, a zoonotic infection caused by an orthopoxvirus, is endemic in parts of Africa. On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department Health and Human Services declared monkeypox outbreak, which began on May 17, to be public health emergency (1,2). After detection first case), CDC departments implemented enhanced case reporting. Among 2,891 cases reported United States through July 22 43 states, Puerto Rico, District Columbia (DC), received report forms for 1,195 (41%) 27. these, 99% were among...
Antigen-based tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are inexpensive and can return results within 15 minutes (1). Antigen have received Food Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) use in asymptomatic symptomatic persons first 5-12 days after symptom onset (2). These been used at U.S. colleges universities other congregate settings (e.g., nursing homes correctional detention facilities), where serial testing of might facilitate...
approximately 1.3 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 83,000 COVID-19-associated deaths were reported in the United States (1).Understanding demographic clinical characteristics decedents could inform medical public health interventions focused on preventing mortality.This report describes with laboratory-confirmed infection SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19, using data from 1) standardized CDC case-report form (case-based surveillance)...
Case Investigation Form Working GroupCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in the United States January 2020 (1), and by mid-July, approximately 3.4 million cases had been reported (2).Information about symptoms among U.S. COVID-19 patients is limited, especially nonhospitalized patients.To better understand symptom profiles of with laboratory-confirmed States, CDC used an optional questionnaire to collect detailed information on a convenience sample from participating...
Abstract Background The evidence base for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is nascent. We sought to characterize SARS-CoV-2 transmission within US households and estimate the household secondary infection rate (SIR) inform strategies reduce transmission. Methods recruited patients with laboratory-confirmed their contacts in Utah Wisconsin during 22 March 2020–25 April 2020. interviewed all obtain demographics medical histories. At initial visit, 14 days later,...
Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant of Concern is highly transmissible and contains mutations that confer partial immune escape. emergence in North America caused the first surge COVID-19 cases after vaccines became widely available. To determine whether individuals infected despite vaccination might be capable transmitting SARS-CoV-2, we compared RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) data from 20,431 test-positive anterior nasal swab specimens fully vaccinated (n = 9,347) or unvaccinated (n=11,084)...
To better understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding and infectivity, we estimated SARS-CoV-2 RNA duration, described participant characteristics associated with the first negative rRT-PCR test (resolution), determined if replication-competent viruses was recoverable ≥10 days after symptom onset.We collected serial nasopharyngeal specimens from 109 individuals rRT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 in Utah Wisconsin. We calculated viral resolution probability using...
The SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant of Concern is highly transmissible and contains mutations that confer partial immune escape. emergence in North America caused the first surge COVID-19 cases after vaccines became widely available. To determine whether individuals infected despite vaccination might be capable transmitting SARS-CoV-2, we compared RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) data from 20,431 test-positive anterior nasal swab specimens fully vaccinated (n = 9,347) or unvaccinated 11,084) tested at a...
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of contracting and transmitting hepatitis C virus (HCV). While accurate screening tests effective treatment increasingly available, prior research indicates that many PWID unaware their HCV status. We examined characteristics associated with among 553 utilizing a free, multi-site syringe exchange program (SEP) in 7 cities throughout Wisconsin. All participants completed an 88-item, computerized survey assessing past experiences testing,...
To examine temporal trends and predictors of linkage to HIV care, longitudinal retention in care viral suppression among injection drug users (IDUs) infected with HIV.Community-based, prospective cohort study.We prospectively studied 790 HIV-infected IDUs participating the AIDS Linked Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) study from 1998 through 2011. were considered linked if they attended any visit during follow-up retained reported clinic attendance at every semi-annual visit. We used logistic...
Abstract In a household study, loss of taste and/or smell was the fourth most reported symptom (26/42 [62%]) among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case patients and had highest positive predictive value (83% [95% confidence interval [CI], 55%–95%) contacts. Olfactory dysfunctions should be considered for COVID-19 identification testing prioritization.
Limited data exist on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in children. We described infection rates and symptom profiles among pediatric household contacts of individuals with disease 2019.We enrolled 2019 their contacts, assessed daily symptoms prospectively for 14 days, obtained specimens real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction serology testing. Among (<18 years), we transmission, the risk factors infection, calculated positive negative predictive values....
Overdoses continue to increase in the US, but contribution of methamphetamine use is understudied rural communities.
To characterize and address the opioid crisis disproportionately impacting rural U.S. regions.The Rural Opioid Initiative (ROI) is a two-phase project to collect harmonize quantitative qualitative data develop tailored interventions use. The baseline survey from people who use drugs (PWUD) characterizes current epidemic (2018-2020) in eight geographically diverse regions.Among 3,084 PWUD, 92% reported ever injecting drugs, 86% using opioids (most often heroin) 74% methamphetamine get high...
Injection drug users (IDUs) face numerous obstacles to receiving optimal HIV care, and have been shown underutilize antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sought estimate the degree which providers of care defer initiation ART because injection use identify clinic provider-level factors associated with resistance prescribing IDUs.We administered an Internet-based survey 662 regular prescribers in United States Canada. Questionnaire items assessed characteristics providers' personal demographics...
Incarceration may lead to interruptions in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for persons receiving treatment human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We assessed whether incarceration and subsequent release were associated with virologic failure injection drug users (IDUs) who previously successfully treated ART.ALIVE is a prospective, community-based cohort study of IDUs Baltimore, Maryland. ART during 1998-2009 achieved an HIV RNA level below the limit detection (<400 copies/mL) followed...
Persons living with HIV and substance use disorders face barriers to sustained engagement in medical care, leading suboptimal antiretroviral treatment outcomes. Innovative mobile technology tools such as customizable smartphone applications have the potential enhance existing care coordination programs, but not been rigorously studied. We developed implemented a two-component intervention consisting of peer health navigation supported by application conducting ecologic momentary assessment...
Improved understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spectrum disease is essential for clinical and public health interventions. There are limited data on mild or asymptomatic infections, but recognition these individuals key as they contribute to viral transmission. We describe the symptom profiles from with SARS-CoV-2 infection.From 22 March April 2020 in Wisconsin Utah, we enrolled prospectively observed 198 household contacts exposed SARS-CoV-2....
During July 2-August 11, 2020, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred at a boys' overnight summer school retreat in Wisconsin. The included 152 high school-aged boys, counselors, and staff members from 21 states territories two foreign countries. All attendees were required to provide documentation either positive serologic test result* within the past 3 months or negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests result for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus...