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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Synopsis for October 1, 1999
MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
- Outbreak of West Nile-Like Viral EncephalitisNew York, 1999
- Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies
Synopsis for October 1, 1999
Outbreak of West Nile-Like Viral EncephalitisNew York, 1999
An outbreak of arboviral encephalitis was first recognized in New York City in late August and has since been identified in neighboring counties
in New York state.
PRESS CONTACT:
John Signor
New York State Department of Health
(518) 474-7354
or
Division of Media Relations
CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639-3286 |
Although initially attributed to St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus based on positive serologic findings in cerebrospinal fluid and serum
samples, the cause of the outbreak has been confirmed as a West Nile-like virus based on the identification of virus in human, avian, and
mosquito samples. Officials from the New York State Health Department and local health departments and CDC emphasize that mosquito control
efforts conducted for St. Louis encephalitis by individuals and communities have been appropriate because the same mosquito species likely
transmits West Nile-like virus. As of September 28, 1999, a total of 17 confirmed and 20 probable human cases, and four deaths have been
reported from New York City (25 cases) and the surrounding counties of Westchester (eight) and Nassau (four). The four deaths occurred among
persons > 68 years of age.
Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies
Since the turn of the century, substantial progress has been made in improving the health of all mothers and infants in the United States.
PRESS CONTACT:
Solomon Iyasu, M.D.
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5187 |
The U.S. maternal mortality and infant mortality have declined approximately 99% and 90% respectively. Reasons for the declines are multiple and
include improvements in the environment ( sanitation, safe water), better nutrition, advances in medicine, improved access to health care,
increasing education levels, and improved general standards of living. Despite these improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates, the
U.S. rates remain higher than those of many other developed countries; and unacceptable disparities between race and ethnic groups remain. The
elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in these health indicators will be a major challenge for the United States in the 21st
century.
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