MMWR News Synopsis for April 02, 2015

Driving by High School Students — United States, 2013

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

This information can aid states and communities in considering ways to improve safety for older teens new to driving and in planning for safe, affordable transportation options for teens who do not drive. Driving patterns among U.S. high school students age 16 and older vary depending on their race/ethnicity and where they live, according to a new study released by CDC. Nationally, 83 percent of white students in 2013 had driven in the past 30 days compared with 68 percent of black students and 69 percent of Hispanic students. Data from 42 states revealed that the percentage of teens who drove varied from 54 percent in Hawaii to 90 percent in South Dakota. Across 21 participating large urban school districts, the percentage of teen drivers ranged from 30 percent in San Francisco, California to 76 percent in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Because driving patterns among teens vary by location, efforts to address teens’ transportation needs should take into account their local driving patterns.

Importation and Domestic Transmission of Shigella sonnei Resistant to Ciprofloxacin — United States, May 2014–February 2015

CDC Media Relations
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Cipro-resistant Shigella is very contagious and is spreading in the United States and abroad. Thorough handwashing can help prevent shigellosis. When shigellosis does occur, doctors should use lab tests to determine which antibiotics will work to treat the infection, and doctors and patients should carefully consider whether antibiotics are needed at all. International travelers are bringing a multidrug-resistant intestinal illness to the United States and spreading it to others who haven't traveled, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Shigella sonnei bacteria resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin sickened 243 people in 32 states and Puerto Rico between May 2014 and February 2015.

CDC Grand Rounds: the Future of Cancer Screening

CDC Media Relations
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To increase cancer screening in the United States, a population-based, organized approach that focuses on patient, provider, and health care system factors is needed. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. There are U.S. Preventive Services Task Force-recommended screening tests for the early detection of some types of cancer. In the United States, patients frequently receive cancer screening recommendations from a physician during an office visit for a general examination or a medical condition. To advance population-based, organized approaches to cancer screening in the United States, systems could be developed so that cancer screening tests are recommended when a patient visits a primary care physician for a different medical problem, tracked, and used to improve cancer screening. Communication and outreach strategies that focus on communities with the greatest need for increased screening are important to improve overall community health measures and address health disparities targeted by CDC programs.

Update on Progress in Electronic Reporting of Laboratory Results to Public Health Agencies — United States, 2014

CDC Media Relations
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Progress continues with the national implementation of Electronic Reporting of Laboratory Results (ELR). With sustained effort and funding, ELR implementation in the United States is on track to reach a target of 80 percent of laboratory reporting volume by ELR during 2016. Progress in electronic laboratory reporting has resulted from a new emphasis and improved capacity and preparedness in health departments to address technical and policy issues. Continued progress will require collaboration between clinical laboratories, laboratory information management system vendors, and public health agencies as well as improving the ability of disease surveillance information systems to effectively manage electronic reports. National implementation of ELR continues to progress steadily, as evidenced by increases in both the number of laboratories reporting via ELR and the proportion of reports being sent by ELR.

Ebola Virus Disease in a Humanitarian Aid Worker — New York City, October 2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Interagency preparedness can help to safely and efficiently isolate and diagnose Ebola cases. The public health response to Ebola is likely to be resource intensive. In October 2014, New York City identified its first patient with Ebola and worked to prevent disease transmission. The New York City Health Department had been working closely with local and state partners to develop protocols to respond to a possible or confirmed Ebola case including the safe transport of the patient, laboratory testing for Ebola, and monitoring of contacts, and had held practice response calls with city hospitals. The Health Department monitored three close contacts to the patient and 114 health care personnel. No secondary cases of Ebola were detected. Preparedness activities that include planning and practice can help prevent transmission of Ebola.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES