Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv
Update Sent February 25, 2008
NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current Clinician's information can be found on the Clinician Home Page.
Today's topics Include:
- COCA Conference Call - Community Preparedness
- Botulinum ELISA
- Public Health Preparedness
- Meningoccocal disease
- Measles
- Seasonal Influenza
- Avian Influenza
- Pandemic Influenza
- Travelers' Health
COCA Conference Call - Community Preparedness
Title: Community Preparedness
Speakers: Jim Schwendinger MSN MPH CCRN ANP-C of CDC and Mollie Melbourne MPH MEP of National Association of Community Health Centers
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM ET – 2:00 PM ET
Please visit our website for the call-in information, objectives and Continuing Education Credit information. The PowerPoint will be posted before the call. http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/coca/callinfo.asp.
Botulinum ELISA
Botulinum ELISA Kits Expire Feb. 28, 2008 - CDC / LRN - Feb. 22
The current reagent lots for botulinum ELISA will expire Feb. 28, 2008: Type A KT0064 06-0124; Type B KT0065 06-0125; Type E KT0066 06-0126; Type F KT0067 06-0127. New lots of botulinum ELISA are now available for order. To ensure your laboratory receives new kits for this ELISA assay, laboratories should submit their orders immediately for replacement kits. Orders will be filled as soon as possible after receipt. Laboratories should discard expired reagents, even if they have not yet received their replacement kits. Expired reagents must not be used for testing. There is a possibility that laboratories will experience a time gap between discarding expired reagents and receiving replacement kits. The Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response/Laboratory Response Branch recognizes this is not an ideal situation. However, problems with commercial suppliers/contractors and technical issues have resulted in production delays for these ELISA kits. In the event a laboratory receives a sample requiring botulinum ELISA after Feb. 28, 2008, and a replacement kit has not been received, contact the CDC:
1. National Botulism Surveillance and Reference Laboratory: 404-639-0895 (office) or 404-660-6369 (after hours)
2. CDC Director’s Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), 24/7: 770-488-7100
Public Health Preparedness
Public Health Preparedness: Mobilizing State by State - A CDC Report on the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement - CDC - Feb. 20
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on public health emergency preparedness. The report highlights the progress that has been made in state and local preparedness and response, identifies preparedness challenges facing public health departments, and outlines CDC’s efforts to address those challenges. Designed to increase accountability regarding the country’s investment in preparedness activities, the report presents national data as well as state-specific snapshots for all 50 states and four directly funded localities: Chicago; Los Angeles County; New York City; and Washington, DC.
CDC Press release: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/r080220.htm
Key Findings from Public Health Preparedness: Mobilizing State by State (PDF)
Follow this link to access the entire report: http://emergency.cdc.gov/publications/feb08phprep/
Meningococcal disease
Emergence of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Neisseria meningitidis - Minnesota and North Dakota, 2007-2008 - CDC - Feb. 20
This report describes a cluster of three cases of fluoroquinolone-resistant meningococcal disease that occurred among residents of the border area of North Dakota and Minnesota during January 2007-January 2008. The first of these cases was epidemiologically linked and had closely related molecular features to a 2006 case of fluoroquinolone-susceptible meningococcal disease that occurred in the same geographic region. Until further notice, ciprofloxacin should not be used for chemoprophylaxis of close contacts of persons with meningococcal disease in selected counties in North Dakota and Minnesota. Ceftriaxone, rifampin, and azithromycin are alternative agents.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5707a2.htm
Measles
Outbreak of Measles - San Diego, California, January-February 2008 - MMWR Early Release - Feb. 22
In January 2008, measles was identified in an unvaccinated boy from San Diego, California, who had recently traveled to Europe with his family. After his case was confirmed, an outbreak investigation and response were initiated by local and state health departments in coordination with CDC, using standard measles surveillance case definitions and classifications. This report summarizes the preliminary results of that investigation, which has identified 11 additional cases of measles in unvaccinated children in San Diego that are linked epidemiologically to the index case and include two generations of secondary transmission. Recommendations for preventing further measles transmission from importations in this and other U.S. settings include reminding health-care providers to 1) consider a diagnosis of measles in ill persons who have traveled overseas, 2) use appropriate infection-control practices to prevent transmission in health-care settings, and 3) maintain high coverage with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among children.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e222a1.htm
Multistate Measles Outbreak Associated with an International Youth Sporting Event - Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas, August-September 2007 - MMWR Weekly - Feb. 22
In August 2007, a participant in an international youth sporting event who traveled from Japan to the United States became ill with measles. Because he traveled while infectious to an event with thousands of participants and spectators, an outbreak investigation was conducted in multiple states by state and local health departments in coordination with CDC. This report summarizes the results of that investigation, which identified six additional measles cases that were linked epidemiologically to the index case and two generations of secondary transmission. U.S. organizers of large-scale events attended by international travelers, especially youths, should consider documentation of adequate participant vaccination. This outbreak highlights the need to maintain the highest possible vaccination coverage in the United States, along with disease surveillance and outbreak-containment capabilities.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5707a1.htm?s_cid=mm5707a1_e
Seasonal Influenza
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update - Feb. 22
During week 7 (February 10-16, 2008), influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. Two thousand three hundred forty (34.0%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for the sixth consecutive week. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) was above national baseline levels. ILI increased in six of the nine regions compared to week 6, and was above region-specific baselines in all nine regions. All nine regions reported ARI at or above their region specific baselines. Forty-nine states reported widespread influenza activity; one state reported regional influenza activity; and the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Weekly US Map - Feb. 22
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
Updated information on Influenza vaccines - CDC - Feb. 22
The Question and Answer section of the CDC Seasonal Influenza website has been updated. The following topics are addressed:
The 2007-2008 Influenza Season
Selecting the Viruses in the Influenza Vaccine
Influenza Antiviral Drug Resistance
Avian Influenza
Update on the Situation in China - WHO - Feb. 22
The Ministry of Health in China has reported a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 41-year old male From Xixiangtang District of Nanning City of Guangxi Autonomous Region . He developed symptoms on 12 February and died on 20 February. The case was confirmed by the national laboratory on 21 February. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness. All contacts have been placed under medical observation. All remain healthy to date. Of the 29 cases confirmed to date in China, 19 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_02_22/en/index.html
Update on the Situation in Indonesia - WHO - Feb. 21
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced two new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. The first is a 16-year-old male from Sragen district, Central Java Province who developed symptoms on 3 February, was hospitalized on 7 February and died on 10 February. Prior to his illness, the case was exposed to sick and dead poultry at his home, where he slaughtered a sick chicken. The second case is a 3-year-old boy from South Jakarta District, Jakarta Province who developed symptoms on 3 February, was hospitalized on 10 February and died on15 February. The investigation team found that chickens & a pet bird had died in the neighborhood in the two weeks prior to the case’s onset of symptoms. Of the 129 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 105 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_02_21a/en/index.html
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1- WHO - Feb. 22
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2008_02_22/en/index.html
Pandemic Influenza
CDC Influenza Pandemic Operation Plan (OPLAN) - CDC
This CDC Influenza Pandemic OPLAN is an INTERNAL document that provides guidance for CDC operations as directed by the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit the official U.S. government website for pandemic influenza This plan is made available to outside agencies for the sole purpose of providing an understanding of the internal processes within CDC. This document in no way prescribes guidance for any entity other than CDC agencies. This plan shall not be construed to alter any law, executive order, rule, regulation, treaty, or international agreement. Noncompliance with this plan shall not be interpreted to create a substantive or procedural basis to challenge agency action or inaction. To download PDF files of the plan in sections please follow this link: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/cdcplan.htm
Travelers' Health
Yellow Fever in Paraguay - CDC - Feb. 21
The Paraguay Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) the first cases of yellow fever disease identified in Paraguay in more than 30 years. As of February 20, 2008, seven confirmed cases of yellow fever in humans have been reported from the Department of San Pedro, in the east central region of Paraguay. Of these seven cases, four have been confirmed by laboratory testing in Paraguay. The Paraguay MOH has also reported four suspected cases of yellow fever in San Lorenzo, an area near the capital city, Asuncion. The Paraguay MOH has strengthened public health containment measures, with implementation of yellow fever vaccination for people living in or traveling to the affected areas. The information and recommendations in this notice are considered interim and will be updated as further information becomes available. Until further notice, CDC is temporarily expanding its yellow fever vaccination recommendation for Paraguay to protect travelers’ health. Until further notice, yellow fever vaccination is now recommended for all travelers older than 9 months who are going to all areas of Paraguay.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowFeverParaguay.aspx
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