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MMWR
Synopsis for October 5, 2001

The MMWR is embargoed until 4 p.m. ET, Thursdays.

  1. Pesticide-Related Illnesses and Injuries Related to the Use of a Plant Growth Regulator — Italy, 2001
  2. Vaccination Coverage Among Children Enrolled in Head Start Programs, Licensed Child Care Centers, and Entering School — United States and Selected Reporting Areas, 1999–2000 School Year
  3. Update on the Outbreak of Poliomyelitis — Dominican Republic and Haiti, 2000–2001
  4. Weekly Update: West Nile Virus Activity — United States, September 26–October 2, 2001

MMWR Reports & Recommendations
October 5, 2001/Vol.50/No. 17

Development of Community- and State-Based Immunization Registries: CDC Response to a Report from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee

Immunization registries are confidential, population-based computerized systems that contain information regarding children's vaccinations. Registries provide a critical tool for increasing and sustaining vaccination coverage.

Contact: Robert Linkins, M.D.
CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639–8487


Synopsis for October 5, 2001

Pesticide-Related Illnesses and Injuries Related to the Use of a Plant Growth Regulator — Italy, 2001

This outbreak may have been prevented with worldwide uniformity in the toxicity level and worker protection recommendations assigned to specific pesticides.

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Geoffrey Calvert, M.D., M.P.H.

CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(202) 401–3749
 

In February 2001, an outbreak of unintentional illness associated with Dormex exposure was identified in Italy. A total of 23 illness cases were identified. Twenty-two were workers who were mixing or loading Dormex, and one person unintentionally ingested the product when it was placed in a plastic bottle in the refrigerator. Dormex is a plant growth regulator that promotes more uniform flowering and maturity at harvest. It is applied to various fruit-bearing plants, including grapes, apricots, cherries, and kiwi fruit. Its active ingredient is hydrogen cyanamide. In the US over the last 20 years, only 5 cases of poisoning associated with hydrogen cyanamide were identified. Italian use of Dorex began in only 2000. After detection of this outbreak, use of Dormex was suspended in Italy.

 

Vaccination Coverage Among Children Enrolled in Head Start Programs, Licensed Child Care Centers, and Entering School — United States and Selected Reporting Areas, 1999–2000 School Year

High vaccination coverage must be maintained to prevent transmission of disease.

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Ruth Giles, Ph.D., M.P.H.

CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639–8487
 

Under vaccinated children enrolled in day care facilities and schools are vulnerable to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. A 2010 nation health objective is to maintain vaccination coverage of at least 95% among children attending licensed day care facilities and children entering kindergarten and first grade. To identify children who have not been vaccinated in compliance with state law, all states, 5 urban cities, and 8 U.S. territories conduct annual vaccination assessment surveys of routine coverage among children enrolled in the Head Start program and licensed day care facilities, and children entering kindergarten and first grade. Aggregated results from these surveys indicate that National coverage for all vaccines was at or above 95%, during the 1999-2000 school year. However, coverage varied by state and approximately 30% of the states did not submit reports.

 

Update on the Outbreak of Poliomyelitis — Dominican Republic and Haiti, 2000–2001

An outbreak of poliomyelitis due to mutant vaccine virus has been documented since July 2000 on the island of Hispaniola.

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Patrick Zuber, M.D., M.P.H.

CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639–8487
 

An outbreak of poliomyelitis due to a mutant vaccine poliovirus has resulted in 21 cases of which 2 died on the island of Hispaniola, that comprises the Dominican Republic and Haiti since July 2000. This outbreak is likely to have resulted from sustained circulation of vaccine virus among groups of population insufficiently vaccinated against polio. In response to this outbreak, health authorities of both countries have mounted vigorous vaccination campaigns that are expected to interrupt circulation of the poliovirus. Despite enhanced surveillance and laboratory investigation, no similar virus strain was found elsewhere in the Americas.

 

Weekly Update: West Nile Virus Activity — United States, September 26–October 2, 2001

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639–3286
 

The report summarizes surveillance data for West Nile Virus (WNV) activities in the United States. The report includes information on human cases and deaths, infected birds and other animals, and WNV-positive mosquito pools.


 


 

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