MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Ecstasy Overdoses at a Rave – Los Angeles, California, 2010

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health
External Relations & Communications
Phone: (213) 240-8144
email: media@ph.lacounty.gov

Overdoses of Ecstasy (MDMA) and other drugs at raves are a public health problem, and prevention strategies are needed. This report describes a cluster of overdoses of MDMA at a rave in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve resulting in 18 persons being brought to Emergency Departments (EDs), with 3 hospitalizations and 1 critical illness. Although the initial concern was possible adulteration or contamination of drugs at the rave, the investigation concluded that MDMA overdose was the primary reason for the severe symptoms. Evidence from drug treatment databases and crime labs suggest that MDMA use has been steadily increasing in Los Angeles County for the last five years. Drug overdose is a preventable form of injury. Public health collaboration with police, fire, and EMS officials on a comprehensive prevention strategy might reduce the number of overdoses at raves.

2. Deaths and Hospitalizations Associated with 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) – Greece, May 2009–February 2010

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
Phone: (404) 639-3286

The burden of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Greece during 2009 through early 2010 was moderate but the uncertainty concerning the occurrence and the severity of subsequent waves underlines the need to keep up vigilance in the following winter. Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) reached Greece in May 2009, shortly after its first occurrence in Mexico and the U.S. in March and April 2009. This study describes the burden related to mortality and hospitalizations as a result of H1N1transmission in Greece. An initial mild wave of transmission during July-August 2009 was followed by a major wave that peaked at the end of November 2009. During the 9-month period since the first case was diagnosed until the end of February 2010, 2.6 cases were admitted to ICUs and 1.2 deaths had been reported per 100,000 population. In Greece where vaccination coverage is low and a large proportion of the adult population remains susceptible, it is necessary to keep up vigilance with the 2009 H1N1 virus in the following winter.

3. Addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency as a Contraindication for Administration of Rotavirus Vaccine

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
Phone: (404) 639-3286

Rotavirus vaccine (RV5 or RV1) is contraindicated in infants diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). In response to reported cases of rotavirus vaccine infection in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) following rotavirus vaccine administration, both Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals have revised the package inserts for their respective rotavirus vaccine products, pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) and monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) with approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Based on available data, CDC recommends an update to the list of contraindications for both rotavirus vaccines, RV5 and RV1. Consultation with an immunologist or infectious disease specialist is advised for infants with known or suspected altered immunocompetence before rotavirus vaccine is administered.

###

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES