Synopsis for June 28, 2002

The MMWR is embargoed until 2 PM, ET, Thursdays.

1. Achievements in Public Health: Hepatitis B Immunization ― United States, 1982–2002
2. Outbreak of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Newport (Newport MDR-AmpC) ― United States, January–April 2002
3. Outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated with Drinking Unpasteurized Milk Procured Through a Cow-Leasing Program ― Wisconsin, 2001

MMWR Surveillance Summary
Vol. 51/SS-4/June 28, 2002

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2001
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults. These behaviors contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. In the United States, approximately three fourths of all deaths among persons aged 10–24 years result from only four causes: motor–vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 2001 National YRBSS survey show that high school students are reacting more responsibly by avoiding tobacco, marijuana, risky sexual behavior and other potentially dangerous behavior. Nonetheless, too many students remain at-risk for unnecessary injury and death.

Contact: Laura Kann, PhD
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488–5131

Synopsis for June 28, 2002

Achievements in Public Health: Hepatitis B Immunization ― United States, 1982–2002

This vaccine prevents hepatitis B, a serious liver disease that causes 4000-5000 deaths per year in the United States. Before hepatitis B vaccine became available, 200-300,000 persons in the United States were infected each year, including approximately 20,000 infants and young children. During the past 20 years, substantial progress has been made in implementing vaccination strategies that have reduced new HBV infections, and CDC estimates that <80,000 persons were infected in 2001. However, a number of challenges remain in order to achieve the goal of eliminating transmission of hepatitis B virus. These include: maintaining high vaccination coverage among infants and adolescents and expanding efforts to vaccinate adults who are at risk for infection.

Outbreak of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Newport (Newport MDR-AmpC) ― United States, January–April 2002

Since 1998, multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella Newport have emerged and have now spread to many parts of the United States. These strains are characterized by decreased susceptibility or resistance to at least nine of 17 antimicrobial agents tested, including ceftriaxone, an antimicrobial agent important in the treatment of Salmonella infections in children. Because treatment with ceftriaxone may be ineffective against these multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport strains, clinicians should be informed of the emergence of these pathogens. This multi-state outbreak implicated the eating of undercooked or raw ground beef as a risk factor for infection with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport.

Outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated with Drinking Unpasteurized Milk Procured Through a Cow-Leasing Program ― Wisconsin, 2001

During November and December 2001, seventy-five persons from Northwestern Wisconsin became ill with Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. This outbreak was associated with drinking unpasteurized milk obtained through a cow-leasing program that was used to circumvent regulations prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk in Wisconsin. Consumers paid an initial fee to lease part of a cow. Farm operators then milked the cows and stored the milk from all leased cows together in a bulk tank. Customers either picked up milk at the farm or farm operators had it delivered. To ensure that unpasteurized milk will not be distributed to the public in Wisconsin, state officials are enforcing existing regulations and prohibiting cow-leasing systems. For more information on Campylobacter visit this CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/campylobacter_g.htm.

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