Synopsis for June 10, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality — United States, 1995-2002
2. Travel-Associated Dengue Infections — United States, 2001-2004
3. Reporting of Chlamydial Infection — Massachusetts, January-June 2003

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality — United States, 1995-2002

Aggressive public health measures will be needed to lower infant mortality disparities by the end of the decade.

Despite the decline in the overall infant mortality rate and improvements among most racial and ethnic groups, the nation will be challenged to reach the national objective to reduce the rate to 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010. To achieve this target will require a 36 percent decline in the infant mortality rate of 7.0 in 2002. A small number of race and ethnic groups in some states have already achieved this target. Relative disparities among race and ethnic groups persist and dramatic declines will be needed for non-Hispanic black and American Indian/Alaska Native mothers to achieve this target. Policy makers and health care providers are challenged to find ways to reduce the total rate and to eliminate disparities among all race and ethnic groups.

Travel-Associated Dengue Infections — United States, 2001-2004

When traveling to tropical and sub topical regions of the world, people should use mosquito repellents and other steps to avoid mosquito bites that may transmit dengue or other diseases.

Dengue is a viral infection carried by mosquitoes. For the majority of residents of the United States, the greatest risk for dengue infection is travel to a tropical or sub tropical region of the world where dengue is endemic. Dengue infections may result in a mild flu-like illness but severe symptoms, even death, can occur. Proper use of mosquito repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET or Picaridin, wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors, and other actions to avoid mosquitoes will further reduce the risk of acquiring dengue infection during travel.

Reporting of Chlamydial Infection — Massachusetts, January-June 2003

Completeness and timeliness of reporting for Chlamydia need to be improved in Massachusetts to prevent complications and transmission. The quality and quantity of reports may improve with the development of electronic laboratory reporting.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Complications are potentially severe in women, but timely documented diagnosis and treatment can prevent complication and transmission. Since 1996, cases in Massachusetts have increased. There were 7016 estimated total number of cases reported from January–June 2003. It was estimated that the completeness of reporting was 45 percent for laboratories, 54 percent for healthcare providers, and only 25 percent of the cases were reported by both sources. These findings identified the need for improvement in both completeness and timeliness of reporting. In addition, public health surveillance systems should be evaluated periodically.

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This page last reviewed June 10, 2005
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