| Issue 1054: May 7, 2013 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES CDC publishes an MMWR Early Release update on avian influenza A(H7N9) infection in humans in China On May 1, CDC published an MMWR Early Release titled Emergence of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Causing Severe Human Illness—China, February–April 2013.The first paragraph is reprinted below. On March 29, 2013, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention completed laboratory confirmation of three human infections with an avian influenza A(H7N9) virus not previously reported in humans. These infections were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 31, 2013, in accordance with International Health Regulations. The cases involved two adults in Shanghai and one in Anhui Province. All three patients had severe pneumonia, developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and died from their illness. The cases were not epidemiologically linked. The detection of these cases initiated a cascade of activities in China, including diagnostic test development, enhanced surveillance for new cases, and investigations to identify the source(s) of infection. No evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been found, and no human cases of H7N9 virus infection have been detected outside China, including the United States. This report summarizes recent findings and recommendations for preparing and responding to potential H7N9 cases in the United States. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in persons with acute respiratory illness and relevant exposure history and should contact their state health departments regarding specimen collection and facilitation of confirmatory testing. Related Links Back to top IAC Spotlight! News and Information web section Looking for up-to-the-minute news and information about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases? Look no further. IAC’s News and Information web section helps you stay current on news and activities pertaining to immunization. Information sources include the federal government, professional societies, national and international organizations, and specialized and mainstream media. In addition, the News and Information home page features live feeds from Google News and IAC’s tweets on Twitter. You can access this web section from either the central feature box at the top of the immunize.org home page or the "Guide to immunize.org" on the bottom half of the page. Back to top IAC HANDOUTS IAC updates four patient handouts with new Tdap recommendation IAC recently revised the following four handouts to incorporate ACIP's February 22, 2013, recommendation to provide Tdap to pregnant women during each pregnancy.
Back to top OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CDC announces that May is Hepatitis Awareness Month; May 19 is a national Hepatitis Testing Day On May 2, CDC announced that May is again Hepatitis Awareness Month. Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C can become chronic infections that can lead to liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis is leading a national education initiative called Know More Hepatitis. The initiative aims to decrease the burden of chronic viral hepatitis by increasing awareness about this hidden epidemic and encouraging people who may be chronically infected to get tested. May 19 has been designated as a national Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States. Millions of Americans have chronic viral hepatitis; most of them do not know they are infected. Hepatitis Testing Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and encourage priority populations to get tested. Related Links from CDC
Related Links from IAC
FEATURED RESOURCES Newly available! IAC's popular full-size laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. immunization schedules. Order a supply for your healthcare setting today! IAC's laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. child/teen and adult immunization schedules are covered with a tough, washable coating that lets them stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. Each has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" by 11".  
PRICING 1-4 copies: $7.50 each 5-19 copies: $5.50 each 20-99 copies: $4.50 each 100-499 copies: $4.00 each 500-999 copies: $3.50 each For quotes on customizing or placing orders for 1,000 copies or more, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org You can access specific information on both schedules, view images of both, order online, or download an order form at the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page. Back to top AAP Global website features information and resources related to AAP's international immunization work Immunization prevents about 2.5 million deaths a year globally and continues to be one of the most successful and cost-effective life saving public health interventions of the past century. Dedicated to the health of all children, no matter where they are born, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) fosters partnerships that support global immunization initiatives and provides resources to help pediatricians and other child health clinicians be effective global vaccine advocates. The AAP also works to promote effective advocacy strategies among pediatric leaders in both developed and developing countries. Visit the AAP Global website to explore current news and resources to help advocate for and promote global vaccine issues. Back to top JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS CDC publishes article about progress toward global polio eradication CDC published Progress Toward Eradication of Polio — Worldwide, January 2011–March 2013 in the May 3 issue of MMWR (pages 335-338). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below. The number of polio cases confirmed globally and the geographic extent of wild poliovirus transmission have reached the lowest levels ever reported. Since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, cases have fallen by more than 99 percent and >100 countries have stopped transmission. However, circulation of wild poliovirus has continued uninterrupted in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. In 2011, there were 12 other countries with polio cases. In 2012, only Afghanistan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Pakistan reported polio cases. With the exception of Nigeria, where cases nearly doubled compared to 2011, the number of cases in each of the other countries have decreased. New security risks following targeted attacks on health workers delivering polio vaccine have impeded progress in certain areas of Pakistan and Nigeria and need addressing by enhanced security measures. As highlighted by the cessation of wild poliovirus transmission in India and having fewer cases in fewer places in 2012, polio eradication is within reach. However, the challenges that remain require sustained commitment and continued coordinated efforts. Back to top April issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available CDC recently released the April issue of its monthly newsletter Immunization Works and posted it on the website of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). The newsletter offers the immunization community information about current topics. The information is in the public domain and can be reproduced and circulated widely. The April issue contains a great deal of useful, timely information. Be sure to read through all four sections: Top Stories, Influenza Information, Meetings and Conferences, and Resources and Information. Back to top EDUCATION AND TRAINING Voices for Vaccines to host May 15 conference call on educating new and expectant parents; related resources available online Voices for Vaccines (VFV), a national organization of parents and others who are dedicated to raising the level of the voices of immunization supporters, will be hosting a May 15 conference call about educating new and expectant parents about the benefits and safety of vaccines. VFV believes in catching parents early and inoculating them against the misinformation and myths that surround immunization. This call will discuss VFV's new toolkits of educational materials. Aimed at new and expectant parents, the toolkits provide information to help parents feel confident about vaccinating their babies. The conference call will be held on May 15 at 12 noon ET. To join the call, email VFV for call-in information. The toolkits, which include handouts, brochures, and a PowerPoint presentation, can be downloaded from the Tools section of the VFV website. Information about joining VFV can be found on the home page. Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS ACIP meeting scheduled for Atlanta on June 19-20; registration deadline is June 3 The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will hold its next meeting on June 19–20, 2013, at CDC's Clifton Road campus in Atlanta. To attend the meeting, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) must register online by June 3. Registration is not required to watch the live webcast of the meeting. The ACIP meeting web section will be updated with detailed information about the meeting, including live webcast instructions and the meeting agenda. Be sure to check back often. Back to top  |
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IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. 1NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
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ISSN 2771-8085
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ISSN 2771-8085
Editorial Information
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Editor-in-ChiefKelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
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Managing EditorJohn D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
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Associate EditorSharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
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Writer/Publication CoordinatorTaryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA -
Style and Copy EditorMarian Deegan, JD
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Web Edition ManagersArkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes -
Contributing WriterLaurel H. Wood, MPA
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Technical ReviewerKayla Ohlde