Synopsis for April 27, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Workers’ Memorial Day
2. Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments – United States, 2003
3. Fatalities Among Volunteer and Career Firefighters – United States, 1994-2004
4. Health Hazard Evaluation of Police Officers and Firefighters After Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17-28 and November 30-December 5, 2005
5. Progress Toward Interruption of Wild Poliovirus Transmission – Worldwide, 2005

Workers’ Memorial Day

No summary available

Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments – United States, 2003

Each year, U.S. workers experience about 3.4 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses that require medical treatment in an emergency department.  In 2003, an estimated 3.4 million workers were treated in hospital emergency departments (ED) for injuries and illnesses sustained at work.  The overall rate of ED-treated injuries and illnesses on an hours-worked basis was 2.5 injuries/illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent workers.  The results were similar to results reported previously for 1998 and did not indicate a significant decrease over the 5-year period.  Young male workers continued to have the highest rate of ED-treated illnesses/injuries.  Among all workers, the most frequent injury/illness diagnoses were sprains and strains (27 percent), lacerations, punctures, amputations, and avulsions (24 percent), contusions, abrasions, and hematomas (18 percent), dislocations and fractures (7 percent), and burns (3 percent).  About two percent of the ED-treated workers were hospitalized because of their occupational injury/illness.  About one third of these hospitalizations were due to fractures (35 percent), particularly among older workers.  To achieve substantial decreases in these injuries and illnesses, prevention efforts must focus on effective targeted workplace-safety interventions for a diverse workforce.

Fatalities Among Volunteer and Career Firefighters – United States, 1994-2004

Fire departments should take practical steps to reduce risks of preventable deaths among firefighters from cardiac incidents and motor vehicle injuries (the leading causes of firefighter deaths in the line of duty), and should promote a culture of safety first for firefighters. 

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of fatalities in the line of duty for firefighters, and traumatic injuries in motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause, a new National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study finds.  To reduce these risks, fire departments should consider mandatory annual fitness exams and fitness programs for firefighters, and should strongly encourage seatbelt use, safe driving practices, and defensive driving practices.

Health Hazard Evaluation of Police Officers and Firefighters After Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17-28 and November 30-December 5, 2005

Police officers and firefighters reported physical and psychological symptoms soon after Hurricane Katrina which were related to occupational (i.e. emergency response and law enforcement activities) and non-occupational factors such as family displacement and property damage.

Among New Orleans police officers and firefighters who reported injuries, symptoms of physical illness, and psychological strain associated with their service in emergency response during Hurricane Katrina, the most common physical symptoms reported were upper respiratory conditions and skin rash, the most common injuries were lacerations and sprains, and approximately one-third of the responders reported either depressive symptoms, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or both, according to results of a NIOSH health hazard evaluation.  Clinical evaluation and medical follow-up should be implemented to understand and monitor health conditions in these populations. Safety and health guidelines for emergency responders should be incorporated into existing disaster preparedness plans.

Progress Toward Interruption of Wild Poliovirus Transmission – Worldwide, 2005

Although progress towards global polio eradication was made in 2005, addressing transmission in the remaining high-risk areas, especially in northern Nigeria, will require program flexibility and innovation.  Strong commitment from government and health care workers at all levels will also be required.   

Progress towards global polio eradication was made in 2005, despite challenges posed by the international spread of poliovirus. The number of countries where polio is being transmitted has decreased to only four (Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, although recent data suggests low levels of naturally occurring transmission in Niger). Monovalent oral polio vaccines (mOPV) were re-licensed and used, and the majority of importation-related outbreaks were controlled. In 2005, after a 43% increase in the number of people who were paralyzed from polio, 234 supplementary immunization campaigns (SIAs) were conducted and the polio laboratory network effectively responded. The greatest risk to global polio eradication is the ongoing transmission of poliovirus in northern Nigeria. New strategies and interventions (e.g., transit site immunization and mosquito net distribution) will play an increasingly important role in the final push towards global polio eradication.

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This page last reviewed April 27, 2006
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