Issue Number 102
August 2, 1999
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC publishes article on achievements
in public health: control of infectious diseases
- CDC publishes report on meningococcal
disease in New England
- CDC publishes report on polio
eradication during armed conflict
- Materials to teach health
professionals about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases are available
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(1)
July 30, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON ACHIEVEMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH: CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article entitled
"Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Control of Infectious Diseases" in
the July 30, 1999, issue of the MMWR.
Deaths from infectious diseases have declined
markedly in the United States during the 20th century, contributing to a sharp drop in
infant and child mortality and to a 29.2-year increase in life expectancy. This article
reports that "in 1900, 30.4% of all deaths occurred among children aged less than 5
years; in 1997, that percentage was only 1.4%...Disease control resulted from improvements
in sanitation and hygiene, the discovery of antibiotics, and the implementation of
universal childhood vaccination programs."
Despite these successes, "the appearance of AIDS, the re-emergence of TB (including
multidrug-resistant strains), and an overall increase in infectious disease mortality
during the 1980s and early 1990s provide additional evidence that as long as microbes can
evolve, new diseases will appear."
"For continued success in controlling infectious diseases, the U.S. public health
system must prepare to address diverse challenges, including the emergence of new
infectious diseases, the re-emergence ofold diseases (sometimes in drug-resistant forms),
large foodborne outbreaks, and acts of bioterrorism."
To obtain a text version of the MMWR article,
click here: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a1.htm
For information on how to obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR, see the
instructions that follow article four below.
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(2)
July 30, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES REPORT ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN NEW ENGLAND
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report entitled
"Menigococcal Disease -- New England, 1993-1998" in the July 30, 1999, issue of
the MMWR.
The article includes the following: "During
1998, a cluster of meningococcal disease cases occurred in Rhode Island, and although the
situation did not meet ACIP criteria for an outbreak, the Rhode Island Department of
Health recommended vaccination of all residents aged 2-22 years. This action stimulated
controversy in Rhode Island and the rest of New England (Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont) and prompted a review of the epidemiology of
meningococcal disease in the region."
The editorial note concludes: "Although some cases may be prevented by this approach,
its overall impact may be limited for several reasons: it will not protect children aged
less than 2 years, in whom rates of disease are highest; it does not protect against
serogroup B disease, which accounts for 26% of disease in the region; and, because the
vaccine does not affect carriage, it will not affect disease among the 30%-40% of the
target population who chose not to be vaccinated. Monitoring of disease in Rhode Island
over the next few years will allow further evaluation of this strategy.
"During 1993-1998, less than 1% of cases in New England were classified as outbreak
associated. Most cases of meningococcal disease were sporadic and therefore not
preventable with strategies that target outbreaks. For efficacious protection of
meningococcal disease in infants and young children, conjugate serogroup A, C, Y, and W135
meningococcal vaccines have been developed through methods similar to those used
for Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines. These vaccines will be used
routinely in the United Kingdom within the next year and should be available in the United
States within 2-4 years. Until they become available, strategies to control meningococcal
disease should continue to focus on antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis of close
contacts and use of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines as recommended by ACIP."
To obtain a text version of the complete report, click here:
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a2.htm
For information on how to obtain a free
electronic subscription to the MMWR, see the instructions that follow article four below.
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(3)
July 30, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES REPORT ON POLIO ERADICATION DURING ARMED CONFLICT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the article, "Progress
Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication During Armed Conflict -- Somalia and Southern Sudan,
January 1998-June 1999," in the July 30, 1999, issue of the MMWR.
The article's editorial note begins: "At the end of 1998, poliovirus was suspected or
known to circulate in 10 countries in civil conflict, eight of which are on the African
continent. Recognizing that these countries are essential to reaching the polio
eradication goal, the UN is advocating for days of tranquility during vaccination
activities."
Two of these "essential" African countries are Somalia and Sudan. According to
the article, "Somalia and parts of southern Sudan have persons living in areas where
there is ongoing armed conflict and poor infrastructure (e.g., health-care facilities,
schools, roads, and power plants)."
Despite the difficulties, progress toward eliminating polio in these areas have been made.
The editorial note states: "Progress toward polio eradication in countries with civil
unrest, insecurity, and low routine coverage with OPV is critical for the success of the
global polio eradication initiative. Reaching almost all areas and settlements in
Somalia and southern Sudan during National Immunization Days and the ability of newly
established acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance systems to successfully detect and
investigate AFP cases demonstrate that global polio eradication is achievable, even in
adverse circumstances. These findings should encourage other countries to implement the
key programs that will lead to global polio eradication."
To obtain a text version of the complete MMWR article, click here: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a3.htm
For information on how to obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR, see the
instructions that follow article four below.
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(4)
July 30, 1999
MATERIALS TO TEACH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ABOUT VACCINES AND VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
ARE AVAILABLE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published "Availability of
Curricular Materials About Vaccines, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, and Vaccination
Practices" as a "Notice to Readers" in the July 30, 1999, issue of the
MMWR.
The notice reads in part: "CDC and the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine
(ATPM) announce the availability of curricular materials for teaching students and
practitioners about vaccines, vaccine-preventable diseases, and vaccination practices.
Materials for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians have been created
through the "Teaching Immunization for Medical Education" (TIME) project, a
collaborative initiative between ATPM, CDC, and the Department of Family Medicine,
University of Pittsburgh." Curricular materials for nurses, including "Teaching
Immunization Practices: A Comprehensive Curriculum for Nurses," have also been
developed through a collaborative initiative for nursing education between ATPM, CDC, and
the American Nurses Association.
Additional information is available by calling ATPM at 800-789-6737, or by checking their
website at http://www.atpm.org
The CME modules are available on the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center website at http://www.upmc.edu/CCEHS
For information about the computer-based program for nursing education, call HealthSoft,
Inc., at 800-235-0882.
To obtain a text version of the "Notice to Readers," click here: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a4.htm
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR
To obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR (delivered weekly), go to the MMWR
website and sign up. When you sign up, you will also automatically begin to receive all
new ACIP statements which are published as MMWR's "Recommendations and Reports."
To go to the MMWR website, click here: http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr/ |
