MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

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1. Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Persons with Asthma — United States, 2010–11 Influenza Season

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Measures that increase influenza vaccination, especially among persons with asthma, should be implemented. While getting the flu shot is important for everyone, it is especially important for persons with asthma because the flu can make asthma symptoms worse and sometimes lead to severe complications. During the 2010–2011 flu season, 50 percent of persons with asthma received the flu shot, up from 36 percent during the 2005–2006 flu season. Despite this improvement, coverage rates are still well below the Healthy People 2020 targets for flu vaccination coverage of 80 percent for children aged 6 months–17 years and 90 percent for adults with asthma. Interventions aimed to increase flu vaccination coverage that have been successful in the past include patient reminders, reducing patient out-of-pocket cost, and provider reminder systems.

2. Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Chester Infections Associated with Frozen Meals — United States, 2010

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Not-ready-to-eat microwave products contain raw, uncooked ingredients and can contain pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. Many frozen meals are not-ready-to-eat products and require full cooking before consumption. Salmonella commonly causes foodborne illness; ingredient-driven outbreaks are difficult to detect. In 2010, CDC investigated an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Chester that identified 44 ill persons in 18 states. Although no definitive root cause was identified the likely source was a not-ready-to-eat cheesy chicken and rice frozen meal. Food manufacturers should place clear, step-by-step, easy to follow, product specific cooking instructions on all not-ready-to-eat frozen microwavable products. Consumers should know the wattage of their microwave, and carefully read and follow instructions printed on packaging on how to prepare frozen microwave entrées. This includes both microwaving and allowing the product to sit for the recommended time prior to consuming.

3. Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control and Elimination — Global Progress, 2012

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Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) control activities are accelerating globally.  Governments and immunization partners should capitalize on the measles elimination activities by using combined measles-rubella vaccine to reduce rubella and CRS morbidity and mortality. Rubella infection during early pregnancy causes devastating pregnancy outcomes, including fetal death, miscarriages and severe birth defects, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).  They are all vaccine preventable. While global immunization and disease surveillance activities to control rubella and CRS have increased since 2000, progress has been slow. Fortunately, a new phase of rubella and CRS control has begun. The Global Vaccine Action Plan (2011-2020) and the Measles-Rubella Strategic Plan (2012-2020) include milestones to eliminate rubella in five of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions by 2020. These plans are supported by (1) WHO recommendations to introduce rubella-containing vaccines into countries not currently providing the vaccine, (2) donor funding to support introduction, and (3) the momentum of measles elimination activities (to which rubella control activities are closely linked).

4.Notes from the Field

Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Seasonal Consumption of Raw Ground Beef — Wisconsin, December 2012–January 2013

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES