NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Hosts Japan Delegation for Special Pathogen Preparedness Training Exchange

Japanese Health Officials Visit Bellevue to Learn How to Prevent Another Out Break

By Staff Reporter

Manhattan Voice

February 19, 2026

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NEW YORK, NY — In a significant step toward strengthening global health security preparedness, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue this week welcomed three senior delegates from Japan’s Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), part of the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), for an immersive special pathogens training exchange focused on high-consequence infectious diseases.

The visit marks a major milestone following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the institutions and reflects a shared commitment to improving international collaboration for special pathogen outbreak response, high-level isolation care, and coordinated clinical workforce training.

Advancing Global Special Pathogen Preparedness Through International Collaboration

As emerging infectious disease threats continue to evolve — from Ebola and mpox to avian influenza strains like H5N1 — hospitals worldwide are prioritizing cross-border knowledge sharing for infectious disease preparedness and standardized protocols for high-consequence infectious disease outbreak response.

“We are pleased to welcome colleagues from DCC, NCGM, part of the Japan Institute for Health Security, back to Bellevue as our partnership advances from agreement to action,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer. “This exchange strengthens readiness on both sides and reinforces the importance of global collaboration to protect patients, health care workers, and communities.”

The delegation participated in immersive training sessions led by Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program team, focusing on:

• High-level isolation unit operations for special pathogens

• Advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols for healthcare workers

• Clinical management of high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs)

• Special pathogen patient transport and containment procedures

• Simulation-based outbreak response training for hospital systems

These hands-on sessions provided real-world insights into how U.S. hospitals operationalize hospital-based special pathogen preparedness programs.

Building Clinical Workforce Capacity for High-Consequence Infectious Disease Response

Yutaro Akiyama, MD, representing the Disease Control and Prevention Center at NCGM, emphasized the workforce development impact of the exchange.

“We are honored to visit Bellevue so soon after the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding,” said Dr. Akiyama. “This visit represents an important step in strengthening our clinical workforce through international collaboration. Our team has gained invaluable insights by observing high-level isolation practices in U.S. hospitals, special pathogen clinical training methods, and special pathogen protocols implemented in the United States.”

In addition to activities at Bellevue, the delegation observed a systemwide exercise highlighting coordinated hospital network training for infectious disease emergencies.

“Preparing for special pathogen outbreaks demands global partnership,” said Justin Chan, MD, Epidemiologist. “Because infectious diseases do not respect national borders, only shared knowledge, trust, and coordinated action can result in robust preparedness.”

Reciprocal Special Pathogen Training in Tokyo Scheduled for February 2026

The exchange is not one-sided. In February 2026, four delegates from Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program will travel to Tokyo to participate in advanced special pathogen response training led by an international public health institute.

During the reciprocal visit, the Bellevue team will share lessons learned from New York City’s 2014 Ebola response and provide advanced instruction on high-level isolation treatment center operations for emerging infectious diseases.

“This two-way exchange broadens our collective understanding and reinforces the importance of global partnership in preparing for and responding to special pathogen outbreaks,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD.

Bellevue’s Leadership in the National Special Pathogen System

Bellevue Hospital plays a central role in national special pathogen preparedness and response infrastructure. As a designated Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC), Bellevue serves as a resource hub supporting regional coordination for high-consequence infectious disease care.

RESPTCs provide:

• Highly specialized care for patients suspected of or confirmed with high-consequence infectious diseases

• Regional training for frontline healthcare facilities on special pathogen response

• Rapid clinical consultation during infectious disease outbreak events

• Coordination with federal and state public health authorities during biological threats

Bellevue also contributes to national training efforts through participation in programs that support standardized hospital preparedness for emerging special pathogens across the United States.

Why Global Special Pathogen Training Exchanges Matter

As global travel, urban density, and climate shifts increase the risk of cross-border infectious disease transmission, healthcare preparedness can no longer operate in isolation.

International exchanges like this strengthen:

• Global outbreak response coordination between hospitals and public health agencies

• Healthcare worker safety protocols for high-risk infectious diseases

• Clinical surge capacity planning for biological emergencies

• Isolation infrastructure readiness for emerging pathogens

• Shared best practices for HCID management across international health systems

By moving from formal agreements to active collaboration, both institutions are building resilient, coordinated systems capable of responding rapidly to high-consequence infectious disease incidents worldwide.

With infectious diseases continuing to challenge health systems worldwide, coordinated global special pathogen preparedness training exchanges are no longer optional — they are essential.