MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Oseltamivir-Resistant 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Two Summer Campers Receiving Prophylaxis – North Carolina, 2009

Press Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

In community settings, post-exposure chemoprophylaxis with oseltamivir and zanamivir should only be considered for those who are at high risk of complications from the infection.   Oseltamivir resistance was found in 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus from two patients who developed influenza while taking oseltamivir.  These patients attended a summer camp in North Carolina where oseltamivir was given to most campers and staff to prevent influenza. Oseltamivir resistance is still rare in 2009 pandemic H1N1.  However, using oseltamivir to prevent influenza in patients who are not at high risk might lead to development of resistant virus.  CDC recommends using antivirals to prevent 2009 pandemic H1N1 only for those at high risk for complications from the infection and to consider the alternative of early treatment once symptoms develop. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are the only available medications for preventing or treating pandemic H1N1.  No evidence suggests spread of oseltamivir-resistant virus beyond the summer camp.

2. Receipt of Influenza Vaccine During Pregnancy Among Women With Live Births – Georgia and Rhode Island, 2004-2007

Press Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

These findings indicate a need to educate pregnant women and their health care providers about the need for seasonal influenza vaccine any time during pregnancy.  Pregnant women are at increased risk for complications from influenza. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice recommend that pregnant women receive intramuscular, inactivated influenza vaccine during any trimester of pregnancy. CDC analyzed data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS) to assess influenza vaccination coverage among women from Georgia and Rhode Island with recent live-births. In Georgia, vaccine coverage prevalence increased from 10.4 percent in 2004 to 15.5 percent in 2006. In Rhode Island, coverage increased from 21.9 percent in 2004 to 33.4 percent in 2007. Women who received advice from their health-care provider were more likely to report being vaccinated. Increased efforts are needed to assess vaccine coverage and to educate providers and pregnant women about ACIP and ACOG recommendations on obtaining influenza vaccination anytime during pregnancy.

 

3. National Laboratory Inventories for Wild Poliovirus Containment – Western Pacific Region, 2008

Press Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

Governments are cooperating with WHO to alert institutions and facilities to the need for Wild Poliovirus (WPV containment, encouraging reduction of WPV materials, and developing national inventories of facilities that continue to hold WPV. After WPV transmission is interrupted globally, the next phases of laboratory containment can proceed and the number of facilities with WPV further reduced.  In the future, when WPV transmission is interrupted worldwide, laboratory facilities could still hold the virus. After global eradication of smallpox, two laboratories working with the virus in the 1970s did not maintain high biosafety standards (laboratory containment) resulting in deaths. The World Health Organization and partners have derived guidelines on arriving at a minimum number of facilities holding WPV materials and with high biosafety. Throughout the areas of the world that are certified polio-free, extensive surveys of laboratories and inventories of their storage materials have been undertaken. This survey phase of the WPV laboratory containment process was completed in the WHO Western Pacific Region in 2008, in the WHO European Region in 2006 and scheduled to be completed in the Americas by the end of 2009.  Surveys of 77,260 laboratories in the 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific region were conducted during 1999–2008. The number of laboratories holding WPV decreased over this time until only 45 laboratories in four countries were in 2008.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES