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Notice to Readers: | Possible Estuary Associated Syndrome |
Fact Sheet: | |
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for MMWR home page. Synopsis May 14, 1999
Motor-Vehicle Safety: A 20th Century Public
Health Success |
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PRESS CONTACT: Bruce Jones, M.D., M.P.H. CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (770) 488-4652 |
Since the mid 1960s, rates of motor vehicle deaths have fallen largely due to the production of safer vehicles and construction of safer highways, as well as safer driving behaviors. These changes were implemented by legislation, regulation, and law enforcement. Since the early 1980s alcohol-related deaths have decreased by nearly 40% and the use of safety belts have risen more than five-fold. Despite these successes, however, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death among Americans 5 to 24 years old. In the coming century, sustaining the motor vehicle safety record will require intensified efforts to use proven strategies and public health surveillance systems to identify problems and monitor effectiveness. |
Update Influenza Activity United States and Worldwide,
1998-99 Season, and Composition of the 1999-2000 Influenza Vaccine Although flu activity is currently at low levels, U.S. physicians should continue to include flu in the differential diagnosis of respiratory illness with fever during the summer months. |
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PRESS CONTACT: Carolyn Bridges, M.D. CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases (404) 639-3747 |
During the summer outbreaks and sporadic cases of flu can occur. These cases occur particularly among travelers to the tropics or Southern Hemisphere, where flu activity may be at increased levels, or among persons traveling with large international groups. This report summarizes surveillance for flu in the United States and worldwide from October 4, 1998 through April 30,1999. Influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses circulated widely, while influenza A (H1N1) viruses were infrequently reported. In Hong Kong, 2 human influenza A (H9N2) illnesses were identified. H9N2 subtype viruses had previously been known to cause infections only in birds. This report also describes the composition of the 1999-2000 trivalent influenza vaccine for the United States. |
Varicella-Related Deaths Florida, 1998 All susceptible persons should be vaccinated to prevent chickenpox and its complications. |
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PRESS CONTACT: Jane Seward, M.B.B.S., M.P.H. CDC, National Immunization Program (404) 639-8688 |
Chickenpox, though a common and usually a mild disease of childhood, may result in severe complications and death in both children and adults. During the 5 years prior to licensure of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine in the United States, approximately 100 children and adults died, and about 10,000 persons were hospitalized every year. During 1998, the Florida Department of Health reported 6 fatal cases of chickenpox. Two deaths occurred in children (6 and 8 years of age, respectively) and four in adults (21, 29, 45, and 58 years of age, respectively); none had been vaccinated. Efforts to increase routine and catch-up varicella vaccination among children, teens, and adults should include educating health-care providers and parents that chickenpox is not always a benign disease. |
Notice to Readers: Possible Estuary Associated Syndrome | |
Amanda Sue Niskar, R.N.,
B.S.N., M.P.H. CDC, National Center for Environmental Health (770) 488-7350 |
Pfiesteria piscicida (Pp) has been found in
waters where there were no reports of harm to fish or people.
Pp is an estuarine alga that lives along the eastern seaboard and has been associated with fish kills and adverse human health effects. CDC has established multistate surveillance and research activities to evaluate the possible public health risks of Pp known as possible estuary associated syndrome (PEAS). Cases are included in the surveillance system as having PEAS if they meet the following three criteria: 1) Developed symptoms within 2 weeks after exposure to coastal waters; 2) Reported certain cognitive or flu-like symptoms of a certain duration; and 3) A health-care provider cannot identify another cause for the symptoms. It has not been possible to establish an association between PEAS and Pp with certainty because a Pp toxin has not been identified. CDC encourages increased research into toxin identification and other environmental factors that influence Pp. |
Chickenpox (Varicella)May 14, 1999
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