RD104 - 2024 Report on the Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome

  • Published: 2025
  • Author: Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
  • Enabling Authority: Code of Virginia - § 32.1-73.10

Executive Summary:

The Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) Advisory Council (Council) is tasked by the Code of Virginia (§§ 32.1-73.9 through 32.1-73.11) to advise the Commissioner of Health on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education relating to PANDAS and PANS. The Council is required to report to the Governor and General Assembly each year by December 1st summarizing the activities and recommendations of the Council related to practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS and PANS; mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and education; outreach to educators and parents to increase awareness; and the development of a network of volunteer experts. Summary points from this report are listed below.

2024 REPORT SUMMARY

1. VDH last convened the PANDAS/PANS Council for a meeting in October 2021. The Council has not met since then because it had been missing appointees to the Council. Specifically, the Council was awaiting appointment of the four legislative members from the House of Delegates by the Speaker of the House after the 2021 election of members to the House of Delegates. While awaiting new appointees, no advisory council activities took place in calendar years 2022 and 2023. As of October 1, 2024, five legislative and seven gubernatorial members have been appointed to the Council, following the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates elections. VDH has therefore scheduled the Council to reconvene in November 2024.

2. Over this past year, VDH staff have been preparing to reconvene the Council, including realigning staff roles to provide optimal support to the Council; developing a workplan for the Council; conducting background research on the Council’s work and PANDAS/PANS in preparation to facilitate Council meetings and activities; participating in conversations with stakeholders about ongoing work surrounding PANDAS/PANS; conducting outreach to new Council members; and planning for the November 2024 PANDAS/PANS meeting.
3.VDH will reconvene the Council in November 2024.