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| Div. of Media Relations 1600 Clifton Road
 MS D-14
 Atlanta, GA 30333
 (404) 639-3286
 Fax (404) 639-7394
 |  
|  |  |  |  
  Synopsis for October 18, 2002
The MMWR is embargoed until 12 PM ET,
      Thursdays.
       
Local Transmission of Plasmodium Vivax
          Malaria-Virginia, 2002Q Fever - California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and
          Tennessee, 2000-2001First Probable Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
          Case in a U.S. Resident - Florida, 2002West Nile Virus Activity - United States, October
          10-16, 2002, and Update on West Nile Virus Infections in Recipients of
          Blood Transfusions 
| 
| There is no MMWR
                  telebriefing scheduled for October 17, 2002 |  |  Synopsis for October 18, 2002Local Transmission of Plasmodium Vivax
      Malaria-Virginia, 2002In August 2002, two teenagers from northern Virginia were infected
      with malaria while having no risk factors for acquiring the disease.
 
 
Investigations conducted by public health authorities found numerous
      mosquitoes competent for transmitting the infection. Subsequent screenings
      of these mosquitoes using new rapid tests revealed mosquitoes positive for
      Plasmodium vivax malaria. Efforts are underway to develop methods to
      confirm these results. The likely source of this outbreak is the bite of a
      mosquito infected with the parasite after biting another malaria-infected
      individual. No further human cases have been reported. The community is
      encourage to practice precautions recommended for West Nile Fever in
      reducing exposure to mosquitoes including wearing long sleeved shirts and
      long pants, using repellent containing DEET, and avoidance of late evening
      outdoor activities.
| PRESS CONTACT: John R. MacArthur, MD, MPH
 
 CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
 (770) 488-7780
 |  |    
 Q Fever - California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and
      Tennessee, 2000-2001Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii.
 
 
Its most common reservoirs are domesticated ruminants, primarily cattle,
      sheep, and goats. Humans typically acquire Q fever through inhalation of
      contaminated dusts generated by animals or animal products. Acute
      infections can include self-limited influenza-like illness, hepatitis, and
      pneumonia. Chronic Q fever can manifest years or decades after initial
      infection, occurs predominantly in patients with valvulopathies or
      vascular grafts, and presents most commonly as a culture-negative
      endocarditis. During 20002001, a total of 48 patients who had a
      diagnosis of Q fever were reported to CDC by 19 states through the
      National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance (NETSS).
      This report describes the case investigations for six of these patients,
      which indicate that these persons acquired Q fever probably through direct
      or indirect contact with livestock. The findings underscore the need for
      health-care providers to be aware of this disease and to report cases to
      state health departments or CDC.
| PRESS CONTACT: Jennifer Wright, DVM, MPH
 
 CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
 (404) 639-2838
 |  |    
 First Probable Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Case
      in a U.S. Resident - Florida, 2002CDC and the Florida Department of Health report the investigation of
      a probable case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in a U.S.
      resident.
 
 
The occurrence of this case was first announced on April 18, 2002. The
      patient was likely exposed to the agent of bovine spongiform
      encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow disease) while in the United Kingdom
      where she was born and lived until 1992, indicating a probable incubation
      period of between 9 to 21 years. The investigation indicates that the
      patient is unlikely to have transmitted the disease to others. The
      occurrence of this case underscores the importance of physicians
      increasing their suspicion for vCJD in patients presenting with clinical
      features consistent with those of the Florida patient and who have spent
      time in areas with endemic BSE.
| PRESS CONTACT: Division of Media Relations
 
 CDC, Office of Communication
 (404) 639−3286
 |  |    
 West Nile Virus Activity - United States, October
      10-16, 2002, and Update on West Nile Virus Infections in Recipients of
      Blood Transfusions
No Summary Available.
| PRESS CONTACT: Division of Media Relations
 
 CDC, Office of Communication
 (404) 639-3286
 |  |          |