Issue
Number 456
April 19, 2004
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: CDC's latest video on vaccine storage and handling is
available through NIP and IAC
- CDC recommends temporary suspension of adoptions from a
Chinese orphanage in response to measles outbreak
- CDC reports on a 2003 measles outbreak in a Pennsylvania
boarding school
- CDC briefly reports on continuing measles outbreak among
adoptees from China
- CDC's new primer on diagnosing and managing foodborne
illnesses includes information on hepatitis A virus
- Free: Bulk copies of the latest issue of "Vaccinate Adults!"
(February 2004) are available--place your order now
- New: April issue of IAC's "HEP EXPRESS" electronic newsletter
now available online
- New: Second edition of "Vaccinating Your Child: Questions &
Answers for the Concerned Parent" has updated information
- CDC publishes hard copy of April 9 electronic article on the
current measles outbreak among adoptees from China
- CDC reports on progress toward eliminating measles from the
Americas during 2002-03
- CDC notifies readers about Vaccination Week of the Americas
- New translation: "Summary of Rules for Childhood and
Adolescent Immunization" now in Turkish
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ABBREVIATIONS: AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP, American
Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices;
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug
Administration; IAC, Immunization Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report; NIP, National Immunization Program; VIS, Vaccine
Information Statement; VPD, vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health
Organization.
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April 19, 2004
NEW: CDC'S LATEST VIDEO ON VACCINE STORAGE AND HANDLING IS AVAILABLE THROUGH
NIP AND IAC
Produced by CDC in 2004, the 23-minute video "How to Protect Your Vaccine
Supply" presents practical, up-to-date information on all aspects of vaccine
storage and handling. The video covers temperature monitoring equipment,
required documentation and record-keeping, storage and handling procedures,
and action steps to take when a problem occurs.
ORDERING FROM NIP. You can order one copy from NIP free of charge. To order
online, go to the online order form at
https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/PIWeb/niporderform.asp The video is
product number 00-6526. A BETA master tape is also available if you want to
reproduce the video in bulk.
To order by phone, call the CDC Immunization Information Hotline at (800)
232-2522.
To play the video online, using Windows Media Player, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/default.htm#videos
ORDERING FROM IAC. You can order single or multiple copies from IAC for $15
per copy (discount pricing is available for orders of 20 or more). To order
online, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vachandling
For additional information, contact IAC by email at
admin@immunize.org or by phone at (651) 647-9009.
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April 19, 2004
CDC RECOMMENDS TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ADOPTIONS FROM A CHINESE
ORPHANAGE IN RESPONSE TO MEASLES OUTBREAK
On April 16, CDC issued both a Health Alert Network (HAN)
message and an "MMWR Dispatch" relating to its recommendation to
temporarily suspend adoptions from a Chinese orphanage in
response to the current measles outbreak among adoptees. The HAN
message is reprinted immediately below in its entirety. The
"MMWR Dispatch" follows the HAN message.
***********************
[HAN message]
This is an official CDC HAN Info Service Message
April 16, 2004 9:14 PM ET
CDC RECOMMENDS TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ADOPTIONS FROM CHINESE
ORPHANAGE IN RESPONSE TO MEASLES OUTBREAK
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today
recommended a temporary suspension of adoption proceedings for
children from the Zhuzhou Child Welfare Institute in the Hunan
Province of China, which is experiencing an outbreak of measles.
On April 6, 2004, public health officials in Seattle and King
County, Washington, reported a laboratory-confirmed case of
measles in a recently adopted child from China. An
investigation identified measles-like rash illness in 9 of 12
children adopted by 11 families who traveled to China in March.
Six of the 9 have laboratory-confirmed measles
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr//preview/mmwrhtml/mm53d409a1.htm).
CDC is working with public health partners in China to implement
control measures and prevent further spread of measles. The
temporary suspension of adoption proceedings at the affected
orphanage is recommended while control measures are implemented.
"Adopting children is such a wonderful experience for so many
people," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "To make this
experience as safe and healthy as possible for everyone, we ask
prospective parents traveling internationally to adopt children
to ensure that their and their family members' immunizations are
current."
Recommendations for vaccination are
-
Children should receive two doses of measles vaccine at
12-15 months of age and at 4-6 years of age. (The second dose
may be received at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days
after the first dose.)
-
Adults born after 1956, who are at least 18 years of age,
should receive at least one dose of vaccine unless they have
had measles or been previously vaccinated.
The incubation period for measles ranges from 7-21 days.
Adoptees and their families who returned from China more than
21 days ago and have not had contact with recent cases should
not be at risk for measles.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that resides in
mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. Droplets
containing the virus are spread through the air by sneezing and
coughing. The virus can remain active and contagious on infected
surfaces for up to two hours.
CDC recommended a similar suspension in 2001 when an outbreak
among children adopted internationally resulted in 14 U.S.
measles cases, 10 among adopted children and four among
caregivers and siblings.
For more information, the public should contact the CDC Public
Inquiry hotline at (800) 311-3435 or (404) 639-3534.
***********************
["MMWR Dispatch" article]
CDC published "Update: Multistate Investigation of Measles Among
Adoptees from China--April 16, 2004" in an April 16 issue of its
electronic newsletter "MMWR Dispatch." The update is reprinted
below in its entirety, excluding references.
***********************
CDC recently published information about six confirmed and three
suspected cases of measles among children who were adopted in
China. Preliminary investigation into the source of measles
exposure among the recent U.S. adoptees has traced the presumed
source of the outbreak to an orphanage in China where an
outbreak of measles has been reported. While control measures
are being implemented, CDC recommends that adoption proceedings
of children from the affected orphanage be suspended
temporarily.
The children departed for the United States with their families
on March 26. Four of these children probably were infectious
while traveling from China to the United States.
The Chinese Ministry of Health and the Central China Adoption
Agency are aware of the problem and are investigating further.
CDC is collaborating with these agencies and other partners in
China to initiate measures to control and prevent further spread
of measles among adopted children. The public health response to
this outbreak is similar to the activities conducted after an
outbreak of measles among adoptees from China in 2001.
Prospective parents who are traveling internationally to adopt
children and their household contacts should ensure that they
have a history of natural disease or have been vaccinated
according to guidelines of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices. Prospective parents of international
adoptees from China should stay informed as more information
becomes available about the measles outbreak. Additional
information about this outbreak and information for prospective
parents adopting children internationally is available from CDC
at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/adoption.htm
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm53d416a1.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of "MMWR
Dispatch," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm53d416.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which
includes new ACIP statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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April 19, 2004
CDC REPORTS ON A 2003 MEASLES OUTBREAK IN A PENNSYLVANIA
BOARDING SCHOOL
CDC published "Measles Outbreak in a Boarding School--Pennsylvania, 2003" in the April 16 issue of MMWR. The article
is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding one figure, one
table, and references.
***********************
Measles has not been endemic in the United States since 1997,
although limited outbreaks continue to be caused by imported
cases. In 2003, CDC assisted in investigating the largest school
outbreak of measles in the United States since 1998. The
outbreak consisted of 11 laboratory-confirmed cases: nine cases
in a boarding school in eastern Pennsylvania and two
epidemiologically linked cases in New York City (NYC). This
report summarizes the results of the outbreak investigation,
which indicated that measles continues to be imported into the
United States and that high coverage with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) among students was effective in
limiting the size of the outbreak. Health care providers should
maintain a high index of suspicion for measles, especially in
those who have traveled abroad recently, and recommendations for
2 doses of MCV in all school-aged children should be followed.
In April 2003, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported to
CDC two cases of measles in unvaccinated twins aged 13 years in
a boarding school with 663 students. Active surveillance for
measles was conducted in the school, hospitals, and doctors'
offices through May 2003. Patients were interviewed, acute- and
convalescent-phase sera were collected for measles IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing, and throat swabs and urine
samples were collected for viral genotyping. Efforts to control
the outbreak included vaccinating or excluding from campus and
isolating all students and staff members with no evidence of
immunity to measles. School and personal vaccination records
were reviewed to identify susceptible students and staff
members, respectively.
For evaluation of vaccine effectiveness, only students enrolled
in the school at the beginning of the outbreak were included.
All staff members and those students who received measles
vaccination during the outbreak were excluded. Vaccine
effectiveness (VE) was calculated as VE(%)=[(ARU-ARV)/ARU] x
100, where ARU is the attack rate in unvaccinated persons and
ARV is the attack rate in students who had received 2 doses of
MCV previously.
A total of 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were
identified. The source patient was a student aged 17 years who
had received 2 doses of MCV. On March 15, 2003, the student had
returned to the United States from Beirut, Lebanon, where
measles was known to be circulating. He had cough and fever the
following day and rash on March 21, when he visited an emergency
department and was diagnosed with a viral exanthem. Upon
returning to school, the patient stayed at the school health
center before returning to his dormitory.
Five persons with laboratory-confirmed measles were linked
epidemiologically to the source patient. These five included the
unvaccinated twins who lived in the same dormitory, the
dormitory houseparent, and two other students in different
dormitories. One of these latter students infected two
additional students in his dormitory and an unvaccinated child
aged 13 months in NYC, who was linked epidemiologically to an
unvaccinated immigrant aged 33 years, who was diagnosed with
measles and who lived in the same apartment building. The ninth
school patient was linked epidemiologically to, and might have
been infected by, any one of five infected persons from
different dormitories.
All nine measles cases in the school were confirmed
serologically. Measles genotype D4 was identified in two school
patients and the child in NYC. The last date of rash onset in a
boarding school patient was April 15. No deaths or major
complications were reported; two students with measles, who were
unvaccinated because of religious exemptions, required
hospitalization for dehydration.
The median age of the nine patients in the school was 17 years
(range: 13-26 years). Of the nine, two had not received any
doses of MCV, one had received 1 dose, and six had received
2 doses. Patients with 1 or 2 doses of MCV had milder illness
than unvaccinated patients, including a shorter duration of rash
(median: 5 days versus 10 days; p<0.05) and fewer days of school
or work missed (median: 5 days versus 8 days; p<0.05).
Of the 663 students in the boarding school, eight (1.2%)
students had never received any doses of MCV, 26 (3.9%) students
had received 1 dose, and 629 (94.9%) students had received
2 doses before the outbreak. Thus, vaccine coverage for 2 doses
was 94.9% and for >=1 dose was 98.8%. Vaccination with measles,
mumps, and rubella vaccine was begun on April 3. Of the eight
unvaccinated students, four had claimed religious or
philosophical exemptions. Of these four students, two contracted
measles, one was excluded from the school, and one was
vaccinated during the outbreak. All of the remaining four
unvaccinated students who did not claim any exemptions were
vaccinated during the outbreak as well as other susceptible
students and staff members.
Excluding five previously unvaccinated students who were
vaccinated during the outbreak and two students who had 2 doses
of MCV previously but were inadvertently revaccinated during the
outbreak, the measles attack rate was 66.7% (two of three) among
unvaccinated students and 1.0% (six of 627) among students who
had received 2 doses of MCV. All vaccinees with 1 dose of MCV
received a second dose during the outbreak; no measles cases
were diagnosed among these students. VE was 98.6% among students
who had received 2 doses of MCV.
Editorial Note:
Measles is rare in the United States, with only 42 confirmed
cases in 2003, according to provisional data. The limited
outbreak described in this report highlights both the success of
the U.S. vaccination program and the continuing risk for
imported measles despite a high immunity among the U.S.
population. The last reported U.S. school outbreak occurred in
2000 and involved nine persons, including six high school
students. Five of those six student patients had received only
1 dose of MCV, which was in compliance with state requirements
at that time.
Before 1989, when the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices recommended a routine 2-dose MCV schedule for school-aged children, larger measles outbreaks with >100 cases occurred
in schools. All states but one now require 2 doses of MCV for
children attending school. However, exemptions for religious or
philosophical reasons are permitted in the majority of states,
resulting in exemption for 0.6% of the nation's children. These
children have a higher likelihood of acquiring and spreading
measles than those who have been vaccinated.
In the outbreak described in this report, consistent with
previous evaluations, 2 doses of MCV were highly effective in
preventing the spread of measles, although a substantial number
of exposed students, combined with a 1% failure rate among
recipients with 2 doses, resulted in two generations of
transmission in the school. Recipients of 2 doses of MCV had
milder symptoms and shorter duration of illness than
unvaccinated patients. Two unvaccinated students were
hospitalized for dehydration, but none of the vaccinated
students required hospitalization.
If an outbreak occurs, all persons whose illness is consistent
with the definition for suspected measles should be tested for
both measles IgM and measles virus by culture or reverse
transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A convalescent serum
should be obtained if the acute IgM is negative. This
investigation highlighted the importance of viral specimens to
document importation from overseas, confirm spread of the same
genotype to NYC, and provide continued evidence for the absence
of endemic transmission in the United States.
This outbreak of measles was caused by importation; the source
patient was infected in Lebanon. Although the patient had
classic signs for the disease (e.g., fever, rash, cough, and
coryza), measles was not diagnosed initially, and the outbreak
was not recognized until two unvaccinated students were
hospitalized. A history of recent travel outside the United
States should raise suspicion for a diagnosis of measles in a
patient with appropriate clinical signs, regardless of
vaccination status.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5314a3.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5314.pdf
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April 19, 2004
CDC BRIEFLY REPORTS ON CONTINUING MEASLES OUTBREAK AMONG
ADOPTEES FROM CHINA
CDC published "Brief Report: Update: Measles Among Adoptees from
China--April 14, 2004" the April16 issue of MMWR. It updates a
CDC report issued April 9. The article is reprinted below in its
entirety, excluding a reference.
***********************
As of April 14, 2004, investigators had identified six confirmed
and three suspected cases of measles among the 12 adoptees from
China who departed for the United States on March 26. Three
other children remain under observation by public health
authorities. The latest confirmed cases of measles were
in an adoptee aged 13 months who traveled to New York state
and in an adoptee aged 12 months who traveled to Washington
state.
Among the nine children with either confirmed or suspected
measles, three had been considered infectious while traveling. A
fourth child has been identified as potentially infectious
during travel on the following commercial airline flights:
-
March 26, China Southern flight 327 from Guangzhou, China, to
Los Angeles
-
March 27, Delta Airlines flight 484 from Los Angeles to
Cincinnati
-
March 27, Delta Airlines flight 518 from Cincinnati to
Washington, DC.
Persons on these flights who have fever and rash on or before
April 17 should be evaluated for measles by a health care
provider. Although the typical incubation period for measles
from exposure to rash onset is approximately 10 days (range:
7-18 days), on rare occasions the incubation period can be as
long as 19-21 days.
Other children adopted recently from China, not identified by
this investigation, might have been exposed to measles and
become potentially infectious. Health care providers should
remain vigilant for measles among persons with febrile rash
illness. Persons with suspected measles should be reported
immediately to local public health officials.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5314a4.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5314.pdf
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April 19, 2004
CDC'S NEW PRIMER ON DIAGNOSING AND MANAGING FOODBORNE ILLNESSES
INCLUDES INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS A VIRUS
CDC published "Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses:
A Primer for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals" in
the April 16 issue of "MMWR Recommendations and Reports." The
primer has a section on acute hepatitis A, which includes a
patient scenario and several sets of questions that lead the
reader through diagnosis, treatment, transmission, prevention,
and notification.
The preface to the primer is reprinted below, as are the
hepatitis A patient scenario and essential questions from the
question sets.
***********************
Preface
Foodborne illness is a serious public health problem. CDC
estimates that each year 76 million people get sick, more than
300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die as a result of foodborne
illnesses. Primarily the very young, the elderly, and the
immunocompromised are affected. Recent changes in human
demographics and food preferences, changes in food production
and distribution systems, microbial adaptation, and lack of
support for public health resources and infrastructure have led
to the emergence of novel as well as traditional foodborne
diseases. With increasing travel and trade opportunities, it is
not surprising that now there is a greater risk of contracting
and spreading a foodborne illness locally, regionally, and even
globally.
Physicians and other health care professionals have a critical
role in the prevention and control of food-related disease
outbreaks. This primer is intended to provide practical and
concise information on the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting
of foodborne illnesses. It was developed collaboratively by the
American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association-American Nurse Foundation, CDC, the Food and Drug
Administration's Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, and the
United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and
Inspection Service.
Clinicians are encouraged to review the primer and
participate in the attached continuing medical education (CME)
program. . . .
Acute Hepatitis A: A Patient Scenario
While working in an emergency room, you are asked to see a
31-year-old Asian-American woman who has had fever, nausea, and
fatigue for the past 24 hours. She also reports dark urine and
has had 3 light colored stools since yesterday. She has
previously been healthy and has no previous history of jaundice.
Her physical examination shows a low-grade fever of 100.6
degrees F/38.1 degrees C, faint scleral icterus, and
hepatomegaly. Her blood pressure and neurologic exam are normal
and there is no rash. Initial laboratory studies show an alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) result of 877 IU/L, aspartate amino
transferase (AST) enzyme levels of 650 IU/L, an alkaline
phosphatase of 58 IU/L and a total bilirubin of 3.4 mg/dL. White
blood cell count is 4.6, with a normal differential;
electrolytes are normal; the blood urea nitrogen level is
18 mg/dL; and serum creatinine level is 0.6 mg/dL. Pregnancy
test is negative.
She has no children, and her boyfriend is not ill. She has been
in a monogamous relationship with her boyfriend for 2 years. She
was born in the United States; her parents immigrated to the
United States from Taiwan in the 1950s. She works as a food
preparer for a catering business. She returned 4 weeks ago from
a 1-week vacation in Mexico (Mexico City and nearby areas),
where she stayed with her boyfriend in several hotels. She drank
only bottled water but ate both cooked and uncooked food at
numerous restaurants while in Mexico, and she visited a family
friend and her 3 young children in a Mexico City suburb.
She did not receive hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin
before going on vacation. She is not sure if she has received
hepatitis B vaccine. She has not gone camping or hiking and had
no recent tick exposures. She has never used illicit drugs,
drinks alcohol rarely, and has never received a transfusion. She
is taking oral contraceptives but no other prescription
medication, and took 500 milligrams of Tylenol once after onset
of her current symptoms. She has a pet cat but no other animal
exposures. She had chickenpox and mononucleosis during
childhood.
[Essential questions]
-
What should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute
hepatitis?
-
What additional information would assist with the diagnosis?
-
How does this information assist with the diagnosis?
-
What diagnostic tests are needed?
-
What is the diagnosis?
-
What treatment is indicated?
-
How is hepatitis A virus transmitted, and who is at risk for
this disease?
-
How might this illness have been prevented?
-
What else needs to be done? . . . .
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the primer, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5304a1.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5304.pdf
The PDF version includes a free CDC-sponsored education activity
that can be completed online or submitted by U.S. mail for CME,
CEU, CNE, or CHES credit. Simply read the primer, answer the
questions at the end, and follow instructions for submitting
your answers.
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April 19, 2004
FREE: BULK COPIES OF THE LATEST ISSUE OF "VACCINATE ADULTS!"
(FEBRUARY 2004) ARE AVAILABLE--PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is giving away bulk
copies (up to 50 per request) of the February 2004 issue of
"VACCINATE ADULTS!"
If you have an immunization conference or an educational program
coming up for adult medical specialists, this 12-page
publication is an excellent item to distribute. The February
issue includes three hepatitis resources and two practical
pieces on storing and administering vaccines.
Because supplies are limited, it's best to make your request
right away. The free copies go quickly. Sorry, we can mail
orders only to addresses within the United States.
To request copies, fill out the online form on IAC's website:
http://www.immunize.org/freeoffer
You will be asked to supply the following information:
-
The number of copies you want (maximum 50)
-
A description of how you plan to use the copies
-
Your name and complete contact information, including mailing
address, telephone number, and email address
For further information, please contact Robin VanOss by email at
robin@immunize.org
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April 19, 2004
NEW: APRIL 15 ISSUE OF IAC'S "HEP EXPRESS" ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The April 15 issue of "HEP EXPRESS," an electronic newsletter
published by IAC, is available online. Published since
March 2003, "HEP EXPRESS" is intended for health and social
service professionals involved in the prevention and treatment
of viral hepatitis. The April 15 issue includes articles on the
following:
-
Recommendations for hepatitis C screening
-
Hepatitis B PowerPoint presentations in English, Vietnamese,
Korean, and Chinese
-
The Hepatitis B Foundation's new electronic newsletter
-
A comprehensive resource for starting hepatitis C
support groups
-
Three upcoming conferences for health professionals and
the public
-
Four new viral hepatitis prevention programs
-
Five recent journal articles related to viral hepatitis
To access the April 15 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue16.asp
To sign up for a free subscription to "HEP EXPRESS," go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/signup.asp
To access previous issues of "HEP EXPRESS," go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/index.asp
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April 19, 2004
NEW: SECOND EDITION OF "VACCINATING YOUR CHILD: QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS FOR THE CONCERNED PARENT" HAS UPDATED INFORMATION
A resource for parents, the second edition of "Vaccinating Your
Child: Questions & Answers for the Concerned Parent" addresses
the medical, ethical, and legal issues parents need to know
about to make informed decisions about individual vaccinations.
It is written by Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH, and Cynthia Good.
Issued recently, the second edition updates the first edition,
which was published in 2000. It includes the most current
information on influenza, as well as sections on vaccine
controversies and bioterrorism. It also reviews vaccines
children may need as they grow older and the vaccines a family
may need when traveling outside the United States.
Available in paperback, the book costs $14.95. Order it from
your local bookstore or directly from the publisher, Peachtree
Publishers, by email at order@peachtree-online.com or by phone
at (800) 241-0113.
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April 19, 2004
CDC PUBLISHES HARD COPY OF APRIL 9 ELECTRONIC ARTICLE ON THE
CURRENT MEASLES OUTBREAK AMONG ADOPTEES FROM CHINA
CDC published "Multistate Investigation of Measles Among
Adoptees from China--April 9, 2004" in the April 16 issue of
MMWR. Originally published in the web-based "MMWR Dispatch," the
article has not been available in hard-copy format until now.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5314a5.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5314.pdf
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April 19, 2004
CDC REPORTS ON PROGRESS TOWARD ELIMINATING MEASLES FROM THE
AMERICAS DURING 2002-03
CDC published "Progress Toward Measles Elimination--Region of
the Americas, 2002-03" in the April 16 issue of MMWR. Portions
of a summary made available to the press are reprinted below.
***********************
. . . . Enormous progress has been made toward eliminating
endemic measles transmission in the Region of the Americas. The
number of measles cases has declined from approximately 250,000
in 1990 to only 105 confirmed cases in six countries in 2003,
the lowest ever number of reported cases in the region. There
were 42 cases in the United States last year; 33 were
importations from other countries, while the remaining nine
cases were of unknown origin. Two of the measles cases in the
United States resulted in deaths: a 13-year old male and a
75-year old man. These measles-associated deaths underscore the
risks from importation of measles.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5314a2.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5314.pdf
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April 19, 2004
CDC NOTIFIES READERS ABOUT VACCINATION WEEK OF THE AMERICAS
CDC published "Notice to Readers: Vaccination Week of the
Americas, April 24-30, 2004" in the April 16 issue of MMWR. The
article is reprinted below in its entirety.
***********************
During April 24-30, all 42 countries in the Region of the
Americas will participate in Vaccination Week of the Americas
(VWA). The objective is to vaccinate susceptible populations by
improving access among underserved populations, keeping
vaccination programs on the political agendas of countries in
the Western Hemisphere, and promoting cooperation among
countries in the region. By ensuring the vaccination of
susceptible persons, health authorities will maintain measles-elimination programs in the region and support implementation of
rubella and congenital rubella syndrome-elimination plans.
During VWA, surveillance gaps will be identified through active
searches for unreported cases of measles, rubella, and acute
flaccid paralysis. The target group to be vaccinated during this
week is children aged <5 years who have incomplete vaccination
series and adults, including women of childbearing age (WCBA),
with no previous contact with the vaccination program. The total
population to be vaccinated is estimated at 40 million persons.
Countries with vaccination activities scheduled for 2004 will
conduct these activities during VWA. Other countries of the
region will intensify vaccination efforts among children aged
<5 years and WCBA. Additional information is available from the
Pan American Health Organization at
http://www.paho.org/english/dd/pin/sv_2004.htm
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5314a6.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5314.pdf
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April 19, 2004
NEW TRANSLATION: "SUMMARY OF RULES FOR CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT
IMMUNIZATION" NOW IN TURKISH
Updated in March 2004, the "Summary of Rules for Childhood and
Adolescent Immunization" is now available in Turkish
translation. IAC gratefully acknowledges Mustafa Kozanoglu, MD,
and Murat Serbest, MD, for the translation.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the Turkish
translation, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2010tu.pdf |
