Dr. Jonathan Strysko is a pediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist based in Botswana. Before joining the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a global health fellow in 2019, he served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer in CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch. He currently practices as a neonatal and paediatric hospitalist and lactation consultant at Princess Marina Hospital and lectures in University of Botswana’s Faculty of Medicine. Currently, he is also the program director for the CDC-funded SHARE initiative to strengthen surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in Botswana. His research interests include antimicrobial resistance, childhood tuberculosis, breastfeeding medicine, and neonatal sepsis prevention.
MD - St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada
Pediatrics - Maimonides Infants & Children's Hospital of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY (Chief Resident)
Pediatric Global Health - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
International Board of Lactation Consultant (IBLC) ExaminersPediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
MSc in Epidemiology - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
Lactation Consultancy for Healthcare Professionals, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Pediatrician
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Dowling J, Arscott-Mills T, Bayani O, Boustany M, Moorad B, Richard-Greenblatt M, Tlhako N, Zalot M, Steenhoff AP, Gezmu AM, Nakstad B, Strysko J, Coffin SE, McGann C.: Antibiotic Use for Sepsis in Hospitalized Neonates in Botswana: Factors Associated with Guideline-Divergent Prescribing. Microorganisms 11: 2641, Oct 2023.
Vurayai M, Strysko J, Kgomanyane K, Bayani O, Mokomane M, Machiya T, Arscott-Mills T, Goldfarb DM, Steenhoff AP, McGann C, Nakstad B, Gezmu A, Richard-Greenblatt M, Coffin S.: Characterizing the bioburden of ESBL-producing organisms in a neonatal unit using chromogenic culture media: a feasible and efficient environmental sampling method. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 11: 14, Jan 2022.
Gharpure R, Friedman CR, Fialkowski V, Collins JP, Strysko J, Marsh ZA, Chen JC, Meservey EH, Adediran AA, Schroeder MN, Wadhwa A, Fullerton KE, Francois Watkins L.: Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin Treatment Outcomes During an Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Shigella sonnei Infections in a Retirement Community-Vermont, 2018. Clin Infect Dis 74: 455-460, Feb 2022.
Dramowski A, Bekker A, Anugulruengkitt S, Bayani O, Martins Gonçalves F, Naizgi M, Magnino A, Puthanakit T, Salle F, da Silva ARA, Molyneux E, Strysko J, Vieira C, Coffin S.: Keeping It Real: Infection Prevention and Control Problems and Solutions in Low- and Middle-income Countries. Pediatr Infect Dis J 41: S36-S39, Mar 2022.
Dramowski A, Aucamp M, Beales E, Bekker A, Cotton MF, Fitzgerald FC, Labi AK, Russell N, Strysko J, Whitelaw A, Coffin S.: Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Interventions for Neonates in Resource-Limited Settings. Frontiers in Pediatrics 10: 919403, Jul 2022.
Nakstad B, Kaang T, Gezmu AM, Strysko J.: Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a neonatal unit in Botswana: chronic overcrowding meets a novel pathogen. BMJ Case Rep 14: e242421, Jun 2021.
Gharpure R, Marsh ZA, Tack DM, Collier SA, Strysko J, Ray L, Payne DC, Garcia-Williams AG.: Disparities in Incidence and Severity of Shigella Infections Among Children-Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), 2009-2018. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 10: 782-788, Aug 2021.
Strysko J, Cope JR, Martin H, Tarr C, Hise K, Collier S, Bowen A.: Food Safety and Invasive Cronobacter Infections during Early Infancy, 1961-2018. Emerg Infect Dis 26(5): 857-865, May 2020.
Winstead A, Strysko J, Relan P, Conners EE, Martinsen AL, Lopez V, Arons M, Masunda KPE, Mukeredzi I, Manyara J, Duri C, Mashe T, Phiri I, Poncin M, Sreenivasan N, Aubert RD, Fuller L, Balachandra S, Mintz E, Manangazira P.: Notes from the Field: Cholera Outbreak - Zimbabwe, September 2018-March 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 69: 527-528, May 2020.
Cossaboom CM, Marinova-Petkova A, Strysko J, Rodriguez G, Maness T, Ocampo J, Gee JE, Elrod MG, Gulvik CA, Liu L, Bower WA, Hoffmaster AR, Blaney DD, Salzer JS, Yoder JS, Mattioli MC, Sidwa TJ, Ringsdorf L, Morrow G, Ledezma E, Kieffer A.: Melioidosis in a Resident of Texas with No Recent Travel History, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 26(6): 1295-1299, Jun 2020.
N'cho HS, Masunda KPE, Mukeredzi I, Manangazira P, Govore E, Duri C, Aubert RD, Martin H, Gonese E, Vere M, Tippett Barr BA, Balachandra S, Strysko J, Davis WW, Appiah GD, Mintz E.: Notes from the Field: Typhoid Fever Outbreak - Harare, Zimbabwe, October 2017-February 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 68: 44-45, Jan 2019.
Chow NA, Toda M, Pennington AF, Anassi E, Atmar RL, Cox-Ganser JM, Da Silva J, Garcia B, Kontoyiannis DP, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Leining LM, McCarty J, Al Mohajer M, Murthy BP, Park JH, Schulte J, Shuford JA, Skrobarcek KA, Solomon S, Strysko J, Chiller TM, Jackson BR, Chew GL, Beer KD.: Hurricane-Associated Mold Exposures Among Patients at Risk for Invasive Mold Infections After Hurricane Harvey - Houston, Texas, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 68: 469-473, May 2019.
Strysko J, Fialkowski V, Marsh Z, Wadhwa A, Collins J, Gharpure R, Kelso P, Friedman CR, Fullerton KE.: Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Shigella sonnei Infections in a Retirement Community - Vermont, October-November 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 68: 405-406, May 2019.
Marinova-Petkova A, Guendel I, Strysko JP, Ekpo LL, Galloway R, Yoder J, Kahler A, Artus A, Hoffmaster AR, Bower WA, Walke H, Ellis BR, Hunte-Ceasar T, Ellis EM, Schafer IJ.: First Reported Human Cases of Leptospirosis in the United States Virgin Islands in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, September-November 2017. Open Forum Infect Dis 6: ofz261, Jun 2019.
Sundararajan M, Enane LA, Kidwell LA, Gentry R, Danao S, Bhumbra S, Lehmann C, Teachout M, Yeadon-Fagbohun J, Krombach P, Schroeder B, Martin H, Winkjer J, Waltz T, Strysko J, Cope JR.: Notes from the Field: Cronobacter sakazakii Meningitis in a Full-Term Neonate Fed Exclusively with Breast Milk - Indiana, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 67: 1248-1249, Nov 2018.
Strysko JP, Mony V, Cleveland J, Siddiqui H, Homel P, Gagliardo C.: International travel is a risk factor for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae acquisition in children: A case-case-control study in an urban U.S. hospital. Travel Med Infect Dis 14(16): 568-571, Nov-Dec 2016.
B Gopolang, S Matula, N Morewagae, CV Tembo, K Ranyere, N Jadeja, T Gatonye, C McGann, S Poliwoda, B Nakstad, T Mudongo, U Mulale, SE Coffin, J Strysko: Botsetsi mo sepateleng: Developing a family-led neonatal sepsis infection prevention bundle. Oral abstract, Botswana Paediatric Association Annual Conference Aug 2023.
J Strysko, Samuel Matula, Naledi Morewagae, Nidhee Jadeja, Viola Tembo, B Gopolang, K Ranyere, T Gatonye, C McGann, S Poliwoda, B Nakstad, T Mudongo, U Mulale, SE Coffin: FLIPping the paradigm for neonatal sepsis prevention: Description of an iterative approach to developing family-led infection prevention bundle; Poster presentation, CHOP Global Health Conference Sep 2023.
CV Tembo, B Gopolang, D Ntereke, T Gatonye, T Zankere, K Mochankana, B Nakstad, S Coffin, C Cancedda, E Lautenbach, N Mannathoko, N Mogotsi, T Keatholetswe, K Kgomanyane, C McGann, J Strysko: The effect of twice-weekly chlorhexidine gluconate washing of hospitalized neonates on ward-level prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogen colonization-Gaborone, Botswana 2022-2023. Oral abstract, World Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Durban South Africa Nov 2023.
K Mochankana, B Nakstad, J John-Thubuka, T Machiya, DM Goldfarb, M Richard-Greenblatt, T Zankere, J Strysko: Culture Confirmed Neonatal Bloodstream Infections In Botswana 2019-2022: A Cross-sectional Study From A Tertiary Referral Hospital Implementing An Automated Blood Culture System. Poster abstract, World Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Conference, Durban, South Africa Nov 2023.
J Strysko, T Thela, J Thubuka, T Machiya, J Mkubwa, K Mochankana, C Tiroyakgosi, K Kgomanyane, TD Ntereke, T Zankere, K Lechiile, T Gatonye, CV Tembo, M Vurayai, N Mannathoko, M Mokomane, A Feder, DM Goldfarb, M Richard-Greenblatt, C McGann, SE Coffin, D Bogoshi, AM Smith, PJ Planet: Hyperendemic Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii at a hospital in Botswana: Insights from Whole Genome Sequencing. Oral Abstract Presentation, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Annual Spring Conference 2023.
McGann C, Strysko J, Hu W, Sistrunk J, Tanes C, Bayani O, Ngwako N, Vurayai M, Gezmu A, Nakstad B, Richard-Greenblatt M, Arscott-Mills T, Machiya T, Thela T, Steenhoff A, Planet P, Bittinger K, Coffin S.: The influence of maternal HIV status on the early neonatal microbiome. The 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) 2023.
Ngwako N, Tlhako N, Moorad J, Sefelani C, Gezmu A, Nakstad B, Coffin S,Steenhoff A, Arscott-Mills T, Strysko J, McGann C: Neonatal Health in Botswana: A Snapshot from Princess Marina Hospital. 2nd National Health Research Symposium, Gaborone, Botswana 2023.
Tlhako N, McGann C, Moorad J, Sefelani C, Nakstad B, Gezmu A, Arscott-Mills T, Coffin S, Steenhoff A, Strysko J: Process for Tracking Infant HIV PCR Results: A Research Perspective and Call for Action. 2nd National Health Research Symposium (Gaborone Botswana) 2023.
C McGann, J Strysko, O Bayani, N Ngwako, M Vurayai, A Gezmu, B Nakstad, T Arscott-Mills, M Kelly, L Gianchetti, T Machiya, T Thela, M Richard-Greenblatt, R Luckett, J Hofmeyr, A Steenhoff, SE Coffin: Characterizing the Epidemiology of Bloodstream Infections among Hospitalized Neonates in Botswana: Are HIV-exposed neonates protected? Accepted for poster presentation at Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting, Denver, CO 2022.
J Strysko, T Machiya, K Lechiile, M Jamieson, M Vurayai, K Kgomanyane, O Bayani, M Mokomane, T Arscott-Mills, DM Goldfarb, AP Steenhoff, C McGann, B Nakstad, A Gezmu, M Richard-Greenblatt, R Luckett, SE Coffin: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Botswana: Focus on perinatal environmental exposures. Oral presentation, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America annual conference, Colorado Springs, CO 2022.
M. Vurayai, J. Strysko, C. McGann (on behalf of Neonatal Infections & Microbiome Study Team): Characterizing the Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Bioburden in a Neonatal Unit Using Chromogenic Culture Media: A Feasible and Efficient Environmental Sampling Method. Poster presentation, International Conference for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 2022.
C. McGann, O. Bayani, J. Strysko, M. Vurayai, A. Gezmu, B. Nakstad, L. Gianchetti, T. Machiya, T. Thela, A. Steenhoff, SE Coffin: Characterizing the Epidemiology and Microbiology of Neonatal Sepsis and the Interaction with Microbial Colonization Responses in Gaborone, Botswana. Oral presentation at 13th Annual CHOP Global Health Conference, Philadelphia, PA 2021.
M. Vurayai, J. Strysko, C. McGann (on behalf of Neonatal Infections & Microbiome Study Team): Characterizing the bioburden of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriales in a neonatal unit in Botswana: A feasible and efficient environmental sampling method using chromogenic culture media. Oral presentation at 13th Annual CHOP Global Health Conference, Philadelphia, PA 2021.
M. Vurayai, J. Strysko, C. McGann (on behalf of Neonatal Infections & Microbiome Study Team): Characterizing the bioburden of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriales in a neonatal unit in Botswana: A feasible and efficient environmental sampling method using chromogenic culture media. Oral presentation at International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) Geneva, Switzerland 2021.
Strysko JP. Keeping kids safe: Thinking on your feet during a Klebsiella Outbreak, World Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Durban, South Africa. Nov 2023.
Strysko JP. Surveillance of Healthcare-associated infections & Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Witwatersrand PAediatric Collaboration Education Series, Virtual. Nov 2023.
Strysko JP. Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance, Botswana Paediatric Association, Gaborone Botswana. Aug 2023.
Strysko JP. "Antimicrobial Resistance in the COVID-endemic and the impending post-antibiotic era" Botswana Paediatric Association, Gaborone, Botswana. Aug 2022.
Strysko JP. "Basics of Outbreak Investigation & Infectious Diseases Epidemiology" American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Board Prep Course. Virtual. Mar 2022.
Strysko JP. "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis: COVID's Impact on Health Systems: Disease Surveillance and Infection Prevention and Control" CHOP Global Health Conference, Philadelphia, PA (regional audience). Oct 2021.
Strysko JP. "Effective ways to increase vaccination: Trusted voices must be used to relay social norms." Invited global health expert discussant at symposium hosted by Columbia University, NY, USA and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Sept 2021.
Strysko JP. Annual Global Health Grand Rounds Presentation "Global Health During a Global Pandemic: Insights from Botswana", St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA. Apr 2021.
2018, CDC Center for Preparedness Honor Award: Excellence in Emergency Response
2018, CDC/ATSDR Honor Award: Excellence in Water and Mold Communication during 2017 Emergency Hurricane Response
2016, Resident Achievement Award, Resident Advocacy Award, and Resident Recognition in Research Award, Maimonides Infants & Children's Hospital
2008, Fulbright Research Fellowship Award
2008, Perry Herst Prize for Social Responsibility, University of Chicago
2023, Ad-hoc reviewer, Clinical Infectious Diseases
2023, External research protocol reviewer, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
2022-2023, Ad-hoc reviewer, Pediatrics
2023, Contributing member, Botswana Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Guideline Revision Committee
2023-present, Botswana Measles Verification Committee
2023-present, Executive Member, Princess Marina Hospital Infection Prevention & Control Committee
2022-present, Deputy Chairperson, Princess Marina Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee
2019-2023, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
2013-2023, American Academy of Pediatrics
2019-present, Botswana Paediatric Association
2022-present, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America