Showing posts with label CDC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CDC. Show all posts
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Flu Widespread in US, 24 States Impacted
There is widespread flu activity in the United States. According to the CDC, states reporting widespread geographic flu activity went from 11 states to 24 states last week.
New York City and 19 states (Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia) experienced high ILI activity. Nine states (Arkansas, California, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) experienced moderate ILI activity. The District of Columbia and 10 states (Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) experienced low ILI activity. Puerto Rico and 12 states (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia) experienced minimal ILI activity.
According to the CDC, 1,562 people have been hospitalized for the flu since October 1, 2018.
Children who are under the age of 5 and people who are over the age of 65 have the highest rates of hospitalization.
There have been 13 pediatric deaths associated with the flu since the 2018 to 2019 flu season began. It is estimated that 15.6 percent of the respiratory specimens that were tested during the week of December 22 tested positive for the flu.
Influenza Type A was the most commonly reported flu virus. There were 448 positive flu tests during the week of December 22. Over 96 percent of theose were the Influenza Type A virus.
Experts have warned that this can be another bad flu season. Dr. Jane Zucker works for the Department of Health Immunization board in New York City. She stated that this is just the beginning of flu season.
Ways to Protect Yourself From the Flu
Even though flu activity is wide spread and it is expected to get worse, there are things that you can do in order to protect yourself. You should do the following.
Get the Flu Shot
The seasonal flu shot is recommended for people who are over the age of six months. This is the best thing that you can do in order to protect yourself. It is important to note that the flu shot is not 100 percent effective. However, if you get the flu, then it will be a lot less serious if you have the shot.
Practice Good Hygiene
You will also need to practice good hygiene habits. Studies have shown that the flu can be spread through air droplets. That is why it is a good idea to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
You will also need to wash your hands on a regular basis. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth because you may infect yourself with the flu.
Maintain Your Immune System
If you have a strong immune system, then your body will be able to fight off just about anything.
Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep and reducing your stress will help strengthen your immune system.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
CDC Issues Alert for Polio-like Illness
Infectious diseases continue to surprise physicians, scientists and the general public. In South Dakota, the first case of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, has been confirmed by state health officials. This illness resembles polio in its symptoms and progression.
State health officials in South Dakota are working with investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify risk factors, possible contacts and to trace anyone who might have been exposed.
New South Dakota AFM Case
The confirmed case of AFM in South Dakota occurred in an adult. The patient experienced a course of disease that included a mild respiratory illness and fever. These symptoms were followed by muscle weakness, which lead to the patient's hospitalization and testing of biological specimens.
Epidemiology of National Cases
So far in 2018, there have been 165 confirmed cases of AFM in 36 states. Most of the cases have occurred in children ages 18 or younger. The cases appear to have a cyclical or seasonal distribution, which is also similar to polio. The CDC has been tracking cases of AFM since 2014. More than 90 percent of those cases started with symptoms of a mild respiratory illness before progressing to muscle weakness that required hospitalization. Most cases are diagnosed between the months of August and October.
Symptoms
Most AFM symptoms focus on the central nervous system. The symptoms include weakness of the facial muscles, droopiness of one side of the face and difficulty with moving the eyes in a coordinated way. Patients may also develop droopy eyelids, difficulty with swallowing and slurred speech. The CDC recommends that parents who notice any of these symptoms in their child seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Possible Cause
The CDC has been able to rule out a variety of known viruses, including enteroviruses and poliovirus in stool specimens taken from the patients. It is possible that an as-yet undiscovered enterovirus is responsible for AFM. These viruses are known for causing infectious illnesses that are typically mild.
Treatment Options
Currently, there is no specific treatment for AFM. However, clinicians can offer supportive care for patients affected by the disease. Clinicians might recommend interventions such as speech therapy for swallowing disorders. Neurologists might recommend physical therapy for patients who experience muscle weakness or a decrease in the ability to ambulate. Occupational therapy may be recommended for patients who develop arm weakness and difficulty with movements of their hands.
Ongoing Research
CDC and other researchers continue to look into the cause of AFM. The researchers are also investigating whether certain environmental triggers may increase a person's risk of developing AFM. Clinicians and researchers together are working to learn more about the disease process and what causes the neurological symptoms to develop. Although there are no specific ways to prevent AFM, the CDC and South Dakota health officials remind people that hand washing and avoiding sick people are key methods of preventing the spread of infectious illnesses.
Prevention
Since we don't know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus.
You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
You can protect against bites from mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, by using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed).
You can protect yourself and others from enteroviruses by washing your hands often(https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html) with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including toys.
State health officials in South Dakota are working with investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify risk factors, possible contacts and to trace anyone who might have been exposed.
New South Dakota AFM Case
The confirmed case of AFM in South Dakota occurred in an adult. The patient experienced a course of disease that included a mild respiratory illness and fever. These symptoms were followed by muscle weakness, which lead to the patient's hospitalization and testing of biological specimens.
Epidemiology of National Cases
So far in 2018, there have been 165 confirmed cases of AFM in 36 states. Most of the cases have occurred in children ages 18 or younger. The cases appear to have a cyclical or seasonal distribution, which is also similar to polio. The CDC has been tracking cases of AFM since 2014. More than 90 percent of those cases started with symptoms of a mild respiratory illness before progressing to muscle weakness that required hospitalization. Most cases are diagnosed between the months of August and October.
Symptoms
Most AFM symptoms focus on the central nervous system. The symptoms include weakness of the facial muscles, droopiness of one side of the face and difficulty with moving the eyes in a coordinated way. Patients may also develop droopy eyelids, difficulty with swallowing and slurred speech. The CDC recommends that parents who notice any of these symptoms in their child seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Possible Cause
The CDC has been able to rule out a variety of known viruses, including enteroviruses and poliovirus in stool specimens taken from the patients. It is possible that an as-yet undiscovered enterovirus is responsible for AFM. These viruses are known for causing infectious illnesses that are typically mild.
Treatment Options
Currently, there is no specific treatment for AFM. However, clinicians can offer supportive care for patients affected by the disease. Clinicians might recommend interventions such as speech therapy for swallowing disorders. Neurologists might recommend physical therapy for patients who experience muscle weakness or a decrease in the ability to ambulate. Occupational therapy may be recommended for patients who develop arm weakness and difficulty with movements of their hands.
Ongoing Research
CDC and other researchers continue to look into the cause of AFM. The researchers are also investigating whether certain environmental triggers may increase a person's risk of developing AFM. Clinicians and researchers together are working to learn more about the disease process and what causes the neurological symptoms to develop. Although there are no specific ways to prevent AFM, the CDC and South Dakota health officials remind people that hand washing and avoiding sick people are key methods of preventing the spread of infectious illnesses.
Prevention
Since we don't know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus.
You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
You can protect against bites from mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, by using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed).
You can protect yourself and others from enteroviruses by washing your hands often(https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html) with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including toys.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
CDC Reveals Deadliest Drug in the US
According to the latest numbers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, Fentanyl is now the most commonly used drug that is involved in drug overdoses.
The new report says that the rate of drug overdoses involving the synthetic opioid increased by about 113% each year from 2013 through 2016.
What is fentanyl?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.
However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product--with or without the user's knowledge--to increase its euphoric effects.
Illicitly-made fentanyl use is on the rise
The rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl, doubled from 2015 to 2016. Roughly 19,400 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2016.
Reports from law enforcement indicate that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl. According to data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System, confiscations, or seizures, of fentanyl increased by nearly 7 fold from 2012 to 2014. There were 4,585 fentanyl confiscations in 2014. This suggests that the sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths may be due to increased availability of illegally made, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, and not prescribed fentanyl.
The number of states reporting 20 or more fentanyl confiscations every six months is increasing. From July to December 2014, 18 states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations. By comparison, six states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations from July to December 2013.
What can be done?
CDC suggests the following actions in response to increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths:
Improve detection of fentanyl outbreaks
Public health departments:
Explore methods for more rapidly detecting drug overdose outbreaks, including fentanyl.
Medical examiners and coroners:
Screen for fentanyl in suspected opioid overdose cases in regions reporting increases in fentanyl confiscations, fentanyl-related overdose fatalities or unusually high spikes in heroin or unspecified drug overdose fatalities. Not all jurisdictions routinely test for fentanyl.
Law enforcement:
Law enforcement can play an important role identifying and responding to increases in the distribution and use of illegally-made fentanyl.
Expand Use of Naloxone
Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid-related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses. Depending on state and local laws, this medication can be administered by EMS, law enforcement, other drug users, or family and friend bystanders who have obtained the medication.9
Health Care Providers:
Multiple doses of naloxone may need to be administered per overdose event because of fentanyl's high potency relative to other opioids.10
Harm reduction organizations:
Conduct trainings on naloxone use to persons at risk for opioid-related overdose and their friends and family members.
CDC
The new report says that the rate of drug overdoses involving the synthetic opioid increased by about 113% each year from 2013 through 2016.
What is fentanyl?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.
However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product--with or without the user's knowledge--to increase its euphoric effects.
Illicitly-made fentanyl use is on the rise
The rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl, doubled from 2015 to 2016. Roughly 19,400 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2016.
Reports from law enforcement indicate that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl. According to data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System, confiscations, or seizures, of fentanyl increased by nearly 7 fold from 2012 to 2014. There were 4,585 fentanyl confiscations in 2014. This suggests that the sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths may be due to increased availability of illegally made, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, and not prescribed fentanyl.
The number of states reporting 20 or more fentanyl confiscations every six months is increasing. From July to December 2014, 18 states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations. By comparison, six states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations from July to December 2013.
What can be done?
CDC suggests the following actions in response to increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths:
Improve detection of fentanyl outbreaks
Public health departments:
Explore methods for more rapidly detecting drug overdose outbreaks, including fentanyl.
Medical examiners and coroners:
Screen for fentanyl in suspected opioid overdose cases in regions reporting increases in fentanyl confiscations, fentanyl-related overdose fatalities or unusually high spikes in heroin or unspecified drug overdose fatalities. Not all jurisdictions routinely test for fentanyl.
Law enforcement:
Law enforcement can play an important role identifying and responding to increases in the distribution and use of illegally-made fentanyl.
Expand Use of Naloxone
Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid-related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses. Depending on state and local laws, this medication can be administered by EMS, law enforcement, other drug users, or family and friend bystanders who have obtained the medication.9
Health Care Providers:
Multiple doses of naloxone may need to be administered per overdose event because of fentanyl's high potency relative to other opioids.10
Harm reduction organizations:
Conduct trainings on naloxone use to persons at risk for opioid-related overdose and their friends and family members.
CDC
Saturday, November 17, 2018
CDC: Flu Activity in the U.S. Expected to Pick Up in the Coming Weeks
The flu is short for influenza. Influenza is a serious and sometimes deadly infection that can spread quickly across populations all over the globe. Cases of the flu typically appear during what is known as the flu season.
During this time, flu infections are far more common. In the United States, for example, flu season begins in October and extends through May.
Health officials expect to see the greatest number of flu infections roughly in February. Officials monitor the flu season closely. They're looking for trends. Scientists and world health officials wish to answer many questions about flu infections. They are trying to determine which areas are seeing the most infections. They're also trying to determine the severity of the flu virus as well as mortality and morbidity rates.
A Particularly Bad Season
The flu season of 2017-2018 was a particularly severe one. Of all the flu seasons on record, it had one of the highest death rates and per capita hospitalization rates. Officials estimate over eighty thousand Americans died of the flu or from complications.
More than nine hundred thousand were hospitalized. Given those circumstances, it is understandable that officials are keeping a close eye on the current flu season. They want to make sure that all health facilities have the capacity to respond to cases of the flu and offer lifesaving treatment. This is why they are doing everything they can to keep people informed about outbreaks of the flu in each part of the country.
Getting Vaccinated
So far, health officials do not think this season will be as serious as last year. However, they still highly recommend vaccination for all those over six months. Health officials are offering several types of flu vaccinations.
The trivalent strain protects against three flu strains. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against an additional strain. Seniors can get a high dose vaccine that is designed for those with weaker immune systems. They can also opt for the adjuvanted vaccine that is intended to produce a stronger immune response.
People with known egg allergies now have a flu vaccine option. The recombinant vaccine offers protection against three strains of the flu. In addition, there's also a nasal stray. This is not recommended for certain groups including pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems.
Millions of Doses
Over one hundred and sixty-six million flu vaccine doses have been prepared for distribution. Officials recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they can. It can take up to two weeks for protection to begin.
An earlier shot means that people are more protected as the flu season continues. Part of the reason morbidity rates were so high last year is fewer people got a flu vaccine. Only about thirty-seven percent of adults older than eighteen were vaccinated.
Only about fifty-eight percent of children got a flu shot. Officials hope to see an increase in flu shot coverage this year that should help reduce complications and deaths.
The CDC has provided the following information about the 2018-2019 Flu Season:
Will the United States have a flu epidemic?
The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flu. This time of year is called "flu season." In the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, and it can last as late as May. CDC monitors certain key flu indicators (for example, outpatient visits of influenza-like illness (ILI), the results of laboratory testing and reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths). When these indicators rise and remain elevated for a number of consecutive weeks, "flu season" is said to have begun. Usually ILI increases first, followed by an increase in flu-associated hospitalizations, which is then followed by increases in flu-associated deaths.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round; however, seasonal flu activity often begins as early as October and November and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
During this time, flu infections are far more common. In the United States, for example, flu season begins in October and extends through May.
Health officials expect to see the greatest number of flu infections roughly in February. Officials monitor the flu season closely. They're looking for trends. Scientists and world health officials wish to answer many questions about flu infections. They are trying to determine which areas are seeing the most infections. They're also trying to determine the severity of the flu virus as well as mortality and morbidity rates.
A Particularly Bad Season
The flu season of 2017-2018 was a particularly severe one. Of all the flu seasons on record, it had one of the highest death rates and per capita hospitalization rates. Officials estimate over eighty thousand Americans died of the flu or from complications.
More than nine hundred thousand were hospitalized. Given those circumstances, it is understandable that officials are keeping a close eye on the current flu season. They want to make sure that all health facilities have the capacity to respond to cases of the flu and offer lifesaving treatment. This is why they are doing everything they can to keep people informed about outbreaks of the flu in each part of the country.
Getting Vaccinated
So far, health officials do not think this season will be as serious as last year. However, they still highly recommend vaccination for all those over six months. Health officials are offering several types of flu vaccinations.
The trivalent strain protects against three flu strains. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against an additional strain. Seniors can get a high dose vaccine that is designed for those with weaker immune systems. They can also opt for the adjuvanted vaccine that is intended to produce a stronger immune response.
People with known egg allergies now have a flu vaccine option. The recombinant vaccine offers protection against three strains of the flu. In addition, there's also a nasal stray. This is not recommended for certain groups including pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems.
Millions of Doses
Over one hundred and sixty-six million flu vaccine doses have been prepared for distribution. Officials recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they can. It can take up to two weeks for protection to begin.
An earlier shot means that people are more protected as the flu season continues. Part of the reason morbidity rates were so high last year is fewer people got a flu vaccine. Only about thirty-seven percent of adults older than eighteen were vaccinated.
Only about fifty-eight percent of children got a flu shot. Officials hope to see an increase in flu shot coverage this year that should help reduce complications and deaths.
The CDC has provided the following information about the 2018-2019 Flu Season:
Will the United States have a flu epidemic?
The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flu. This time of year is called "flu season." In the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, and it can last as late as May. CDC monitors certain key flu indicators (for example, outpatient visits of influenza-like illness (ILI), the results of laboratory testing and reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths). When these indicators rise and remain elevated for a number of consecutive weeks, "flu season" is said to have begun. Usually ILI increases first, followed by an increase in flu-associated hospitalizations, which is then followed by increases in flu-associated deaths.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round; however, seasonal flu activity often begins as early as October and November and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Houstan Death From Salmonellosis:
The CDC is currently investigating the death of a Houston woman, Wednesday, to determine if it is related to current raw tomato outbreak of Salmonella. The woman had an immuno-suppressed system as she had lymphoma.
There have been approximately, to date, one hundred and forty nine people infected from the Salmonella outbreak.
The Texas Board Of Health has determined that the source of the raw tomato outbreak is not from any tomatoes found in Texas. The Whole Foods grocery chain in Texas has however pulled the tomatoes off the shelves for the public's safety.
The CDC states the safest way to deal with tomatoes is not to buy the roma, round or pear-shaped tomatoes. The safe ones are homegrown, ones attached to the vine, grape and cherry tomatoes. However, if you already have the others don't eat them raw. If you cook them at one hundred and forty five degrees this will kill off the Salmonella germs. Also, please be careful in washing your hands before and after handling tomatoes. Keep tomatoes separate from all raw meat/seafood. Wash all cutting boards/utensils/countertops, that you use for cutting tomatoes, with hot soapy water, rinsing well afterwards. Also before cutting any other food.
Using can tomatoes is one of the safest options; some restaurants are beginning to use this option for the public's safety. One such restaurant includes Jack In The Box in California. To date only one person in California has been infected, it is believed she contracted it on a recent trip to Houstan though.
Seek medical attention if you suspect Salmonella poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomach pain and occasional vomiting.
There have been approximately, to date, one hundred and forty nine people infected from the Salmonella outbreak.
The Texas Board Of Health has determined that the source of the raw tomato outbreak is not from any tomatoes found in Texas. The Whole Foods grocery chain in Texas has however pulled the tomatoes off the shelves for the public's safety.
The CDC states the safest way to deal with tomatoes is not to buy the roma, round or pear-shaped tomatoes. The safe ones are homegrown, ones attached to the vine, grape and cherry tomatoes. However, if you already have the others don't eat them raw. If you cook them at one hundred and forty five degrees this will kill off the Salmonella germs. Also, please be careful in washing your hands before and after handling tomatoes. Keep tomatoes separate from all raw meat/seafood. Wash all cutting boards/utensils/countertops, that you use for cutting tomatoes, with hot soapy water, rinsing well afterwards. Also before cutting any other food.
Using can tomatoes is one of the safest options; some restaurants are beginning to use this option for the public's safety. One such restaurant includes Jack In The Box in California. To date only one person in California has been infected, it is believed she contracted it on a recent trip to Houstan though.
Seek medical attention if you suspect Salmonella poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomach pain and occasional vomiting.
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