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| PRESS CONTACT: Lynnette Brammer, MPH CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases (404) 6391303 |
No summary available.
Human disease caused by the current strain of avian influenza is rapidly progressive, severe, and fatal in most cases.
| PRESS CONTACT: Scott F. Dowell, MD, MPH CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases 011-66-2-591-1294 (Thailand is 12 hours ahead of EST) |
This article describes the clinical features of the 5 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the ongoing outbreak in Thailand. It provides the first clear picture of the unusually severe and rapidly progressive pneumonia, with failure of other organ systems, and death in all five patients. Set in the context of an avian outbreak involving at least eight countries that is not yet under control, the severity of disease in these young boys provides a reminder that avian influenza, even without a reassortant event that might result in a strain capable of efficient human-to-human transmission, is a serious public health threat.
Except rarely and after very close contact with a smallpox vaccine, the virus in smallpox vaccine did not spread to others.
| PRESS CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs Office of the Army Surgeon General (703) 6818022 |
Spread of the virus in smallpox vaccine was a rare event in the Defense Departments Smallpox Vaccination Program. Using detailed education and good infection-control procedures, only 30 cases of contact transfer occurred after 560,000 smallpox vaccinations. Most of the 30 were spouses or adult intimate contacts. No cases arose in the workplace or in hospitals. Continued efforts are needed so smallpox vaccinees keep their vaccination site covered, wash their hands, and use good hygiene, especially at home. The rate of contact transfer was similar to the rate seen in the 1960s, even though far fewer people today are immune to this virus. The virus in smallpox vaccine is called vaccinia virus and cannot cause smallpox itself.
CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and state health departments are continuing to monitor for vaccine-associated adverse events among civilian vaccinees.
| PRESS CONTACT: John Iskander, MD, MPH CDC, National Immunization Program (404) 6398256 |
This report provides updated information on smallpox vaccine-associated adverse events (possible side effects) among civilians vaccinated since the beginning of the program and among contacts of vaccinees, received by CDC as of December 31, 2003.
The remaining few countries still endemic for polio will require the highest levels of commitment from national governments and international partners to ensure that the final poliovirus reservoirs are eliminated. Although remarkable progress has been made since 1988 toward achieving the goal of global polio eradication, challenges remain. This updated Strategic Plan details the actions necessary to realize the goal of global polio eradication.
| PRESS CONTACT: Jean Clare Smith, MD, MPH CDC, National Immunization Program (404) 6398252 |
An updated Global Polio Eradication Strategic Plan (2004-2008) was released on 15 January 2004 by the World Health Organization. The plan outlines the activities required to interrupt poliovirus transmission globally (2004-05), to achieve global certification of polio eradication (2006-08), and to prepare for cessation of childhood immunization with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) (2009 and beyond). Eliminating all remaining poliovirus reservoirs is now crucial, because the discontinuation of mass immunization campaigns in most polio-free countries has left these areas vulnerable to importations of wild poliovirus from the remaining endemic countries.
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Contact Us This page last reviewed February 13, 2004 Centers for
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