MMWR News Synopsis for June 29, 2017

Walking for Transportation or Leisure Among U.S. Women and Men — National Health Interview Survey, 2005–2015

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The proportion of women and men who walk for transportation or leisure increased from 2005 to 2015, although among men, the increase stalled in recent years. Walking is an easy way for most people to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle, making it an important public health strategy for increasing physical activity. This report examines trends in the proportion of U.S. adults who reported past-week walking for transportation or leisure from 2005 to 2015, using National Health Interview Survey data. Walking increased steadily among women, from 57.3 percent in 2005, to 62.5 percent in 2010, to 65.1 percent in 2015. Among men, walking also increased overall, from 54.3 percent in 2005 to 61.8 percent in 2010, to 62.8 percent in 2015, although the increase stalled between 2010 and 2015. Communities can promote walking by using community- and street-scale design strategies to encourage pedestrian activity and walking programs in the places where people spend the most time.

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Anatum Infections Linked to Imported Hot Peppers — United States, May–July 2016

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In June 2016, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections was detected, involving 32 patients from nine states with illness onset dates from May 6 to July 9, 2016. Investigational evidence indicated that fresh hot peppers were the likely source of the outbreak. In summer 2016, local and state health departments, CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections with an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to further characterize clinical isolates and an Anaheim pepper isolate with the same PFGE pattern from April 2016. The strong genetic relationship between the clinical and food isolates, in combination with the epidemiologic and traceback evidence, indicated that fresh hot peppers were the likely source of the outbreak. However, a single pepper type or source farm could not be identified. This outbreak highlights challenges in reconciling epidemiologic and WGS data, the difficulties of identifying ingredient-level exposures by epidemiologic investigations alone, and the complexity of the hot-pepper supply chain.

Influenza Update

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The 2016-17 flu season was relatively long and moderate in severity. Flu vaccination can vary in how well it works, but remains the best way to prevent influenza illness and associated complications. However, treatment with influenza antiviral medications close to the onset of illness is recommended for patients with confirmed or suspected influenza who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness; who require hospitalization; or who are at high risk for influenza complications. Although summer influenza activity in the United States typically is low, influenza cases and outbreaks do happen in summer months and clinicians should be vigilant in considering influenza when patients have summer respiratory illnesses. Influenza activity in the United States during 2016-17 was low through November, increased during December and peaked in February although there were regional differences in timing. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses were most common through mid-March and were predominate for the season overall, but influenza B viruses were most common from late March through May. Severity indicators (hospitalization and mortality rates) were within the range of what has been observed during previous seasons when influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated. Final vaccine effectiveness estimates against flu-related outpatient medical visits was 42 percent (95% CI 35%–48%).

Notes from the Field:

• Late-Onset Infant Group B Streptococcus Infection Associated with Maternal Consumption of Dehydrated Placental Capsules — Oregon, 2016

Quick Stats:

• Percentage of Adults Aged ≥45 Years Who Reduced or Delayed Medication to Save Money in the Past 12 Months Among Those Who Were Prescribed Medication, by Diagnosed Diabetes Status and Age — National Health Interview Survey, 2015

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