MMWR News Synopsis for April 10, 2014

Measles Outbreak with Adopted Children from China — Missouri, Minnesota, and Washington, July 2013

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Timely vaccination for international adoptees before coming to the United States can prevent the spread of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Although measles is a highly infectious disease that may lead to severe complications and even death, it can be prevented through routine vaccination.  In this cluster, two adoptees from China were diagnosed with measles in July 2013, shortly after arriving in the United States. Contact investigations by state and local public health agencies led to the identification of two additional measles cases, involving a family member of an adoptee and another new adoptee from China. All of the adoptees were children aged 2-years-old with cerebral palsy who had not received vaccination against measles. By ensuring that international adoptees are up-to-date on their vaccines while still in their countries of origin, the spread of vaccine preventable disease like measles can be avoided. 

Diagnosis and Screening for Obesity-Related Conditions Among Children Receiving Medicaid — Maryland, 2005–2010

Karen Black
Maryland DHMH Director of Media Relations
410-767-6491
karen.black@maryland.gov

This study indicates that Maryland Medicaid/Children’s Health Program health-care providers are not adequately coding diagnoses of overweight or obesity among at-risk population of children and teens. At-risk overweight and obese children and teens are not receiving recommended laboratory screening tests for obesity-related conditions. Children and teens enrolled in the Maryland Medicaid/Children’s Health Program from 2005-2010 had significantly higher rates of obesity as compared to children and teens nationwide.  Obesity was most prevalent among teens aged 12-19 years, and in Hispanic children and teens. A small number of children and teens classified as obese received the recommended screening laboratory tests to identify obesity-related illnesses. Similarly, rates of documented dietary and exercise counseling were also lower than recommended.

Rapid Hepatitis C Antibody Testing Among Persons at Increased Risk for Infection — Wisconsin, 2012–2013

Jennifer Miller
Communications Specialist, Department of Human Services (DHS)
(608) 267-9735
DHS Media line: (608) 266-1683
DHSmedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov

The partnership of state public health and community organizations can play an important role in efforts to decrease hepatitis C virus infections among young persons who inject drugs. The use of rapid HCV tests could be a powerful tool for screening, conveying prevention information, and initiating treatment in this population with a high prevalence of HCV infection. A new cohort of young injection drug users acquiring HCV infection has been recognized nationwide, notably in suburban and rural areas.  The Wisconsin Division of Public Health (WDPH), in partnership with community organizations, used  HCV tests to test 1,255 persons at increased risk for HCV infection. Of these, 20 percent had positive HCV test results, and 72 percent of the infections had not been reported previously to the WDPH.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES