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MMWR
Synopsis for August 16, 2002

The MMWR is embargoed until 12 Noon, ET, Thursdays.

  1. Barriers to Children Walking and Biking to School ― United States, 1999
  2. School Transportation Modes ― Georgia, 2000
  3. Serotyping Discrepancies in Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease ― United States, 1998 –1999
  4. Weekly Update: West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, August 7–13, 2002

Notice to Readers

Recall of LCx Neisseria gonorrhoeae Assay and Implications for Laboratory Testing for N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis

Contact: Division of Communication
CDC, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
(404) 639–8895


MMWR Reports & Recommendations
Vol. 51(No. RR 11)/August 16, 2002

Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease: Revised Guidelines from CDC
Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of serious neonatal infection despite great progress in perinatal GBS disease prevention in the 1990s. In 1996, CDC, in collaboration with. Data collected after the issuance of the 1996 guidelines prompted reevaluation of prevention strategies at a meeting of clinical and public health representatives in November 2001. This report replaces CDC’s 1996 guidelines. The recommendations are based on available evidence and expert opinion where sufficient evidence was lacking.

Contact: Stephanie Schrag
CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 639–4646

Telebriefing, August 15, 2002
WHO: Dr. Catherine Staunton, CDC injury prevention expert and
Dr. Lyle Peterson , CDC West Nile virus expert
WHAT: To discuss the MMWR articles on walking and biking to school and West Nile Virus cases in the United States, respectively. Brief remarks followed by Q/A.
WHEN: Thursday, August 15, 2002; NOON ET
WHERE: At your desk, by toll-free conference line: Dial 866-254-5942
Teleconference name: CDC
A full transcript will be available today following the teleconference at http://www.cdc.gov/media/.

This teleconference will also be audio webcast. Listen LIVE online at http://www.cdc.gov/media/.

Synopsis for August 16, 2002

Barriers to Children Walking and Biking to School ― United States, 1999

Parents and communities should work together to identify and create safe routes to school so that children can travel actively by walking and biking.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications
CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention & Control
(770) 488–4902
 
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, yet only about one child in seven starts the day by walking or biking to school. Parents don’t encourage these healthy behaviors principally out of concern about long distances and traffic danger. Parents’ concerns are well founded. The average distance to school is long, two miles, yet most children living within one mile of school still do not walk or bike. Also, pedestrian and bicyclists injuries are leading causes of death among U.S. children. The majority of children did walk or bike to school if barriers were not present. CDC recommends that concerned community leaders and parents work together to address these barriers. Creating safe routes for children to walk and bike to school produces neighborhoods that ensure safer walking and biking for all ages.

 

School Transportation Modes ― Georgia, 2000

Fewer than one in five Georgia school children, who live within one mile of school, walk to school.

PRESS CONTACT:
Jessica Shisler, MPH
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488–5085
 
Only 18.6% of Georgia school children who live within one mile of school travel to school by walking. Statewide surveillance data can be collected as part of existing surveys to monitor prevalence of walking to school --- these data were collected as part of the Georgia Division of Public Health’s Asthma Study. CDC supports walking to school through the KidsWalk-to-School program developed in response to the low rates of walking to school, inadequate levels of physical activity of children and the alarming increase of overweight children in the US. Walk to school programs encourage safe walking and bicycling to school in groups accompanied by adults and the creation of safe routes to school.

 

Serotyping Discrepancies in Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease ― United States, 1998 –1999

Accurate laboratory information is essential in making progress toward the elimination of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)disease in the United States.

PRESS CONTACT:
Pratima L. Raghunathan, PhD, MPH
CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 639–4751
 
Since Hib vaccines were introduced in the United States in 1990, the incidence of Hib invasive disease has declined markedly. One of the national health objectives for 2010 is to reduce Hib invasive disease cases in children under 5 years to zero. This report describes inconsistencies in Hib serotyping between state health departments and CDC. These inconsistencies suggest that the burden of Hib disease might be less than previously estimated.

 

Weekly Update: West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, August 7–13, 2002

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations
CDC, Office of Communications
(404) 639–3286
 
Summary not available.

 

 

 




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