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MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday. |
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| MMWR Synopsis | |
| Fact Sheet | None |
| Surveillance Summaries | None |
Click here
for MMWR home page. Synopsis August 13, 1999
Use of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis for Investigations of a Cluster of
Invasive Group A Streptococcal Illness - Spokane, Washington, 1999 |
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| PRESS CONTACT: Michael Curtis, M.D. CDC, Epidemic Intelligence Service (206) 361-2914 (Alternate: Paul Stepak, M.D., Spokane Health Department, (509) 324-1451) |
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria that commonly causes mild throat and skin infections. Rarely, GAS causes serious invasive bloodstream infections such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and deep tissue infections (necrotizing fasciitis) that result in death in 15%-50% of cases. From January - March 1999, five deaths due to invasive GAS infection occurred in Spokane County, Washington; more cases than would have been expected in this population. Using the fingerprinting technique pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), investigators determined that the GAS isolated from each of the five patients represented four different strains. Therefore, the cases had not resulted from a common source outbreak, but rather had occurred within a short period of time by coincidence. For more information on GAS infections see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g.htm. |
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Radon Testing in Households with a Smoker - United States, 1993 - 1994 Households that include a person who smokes are less likely to test for radon, despite being at greater risk for radon-related lung cancer. |
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| PRESS CONTACT: Mark Macek, D.D.S., Dr.P.H. University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Dental School and CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (410) 706-4218 |
Persons who smoke and are exposed to radon have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers. Data from the 1993 and 1994 National Health Interview Survey reveal that households that include a person who smokes within the dwelling ate significantly less likely to test for radon, than households that do not include a smoker within the dwelling (5.9% versus 7.1%). Exposure to indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The risk for cancer increases in the presence of cigarette smoking. The relationship between cigarette smoking and radon is unclear, however, exposure to radon may cause lung cells to be more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoking. Smokers living in residences with high radon concentrations should both quit smoking and reduce high radon levels. |
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Cigarette Smoking Among High School Students - 11 States, 1991 - 1997 In a study of cigarette smoking trends in 11 states, current smoking and frequent smoking among high school students increased in 6 of the 11 states. |
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| PRESS CONTACT: Laura Kann, Ph.D. CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (770) 488-3202 |
This study examined trends in cigarette smoking among high school students in 11 states that collected Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data during the 1990s. In 6 of the 11 states, current smoking and frequent smoking increased among high school students; these behaviors remained stable in 5 states. Lifetime smoking remained stable in six states, but increased in three states. Smoking before age 13 years remained stable in nine states, but decreased in two states. Smoking on school property remained stable in six states, but increased in four states. Further research is needed to determine why cigarette smoking among high school students has remained stable in some states, but increased in others. These variations may reflect differences in sociodemographic factors, efforts to prevent tobacco use, tobacco use policies, and enforcement of access laws. |
| Surveillance Summaries | None. |
| None |
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