Synopsis for April 13, 2001

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. E.S.T. Thursdays.

1. Outbreak of Acute Febrile Respiratory Illness Among College Students — Acapulco, Mexico, March 2001
2. Multiple Sex Partners and Condom Use Among U.S. Adults — United States, 1997
3. Human West Nile Virus Surveillance — Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, 2000
4. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis and Dracunculiasis Eradication — Sudan, 2000

MMWR Surveillance Summary
Vol.50/SS–2/April 13, 2001

Contact: Division of Media Relations
CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639–3286

Surveillance for Fatal and Nonfatal Firearm-Related Injures, United States, 1993–1998
(see "Fact Sheet" below).

MMWR Reports & Recommendations
Vol. 50/RR–3/April 13, 2001

Contact: Harry Hannon, Ph.D.
CDC, National Center for Environmental Health
(770) 488–7967
(Alternate: Scott Grosse, Ph.D.
770–488–4575)

Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Metabolic Disease Screening Among Newborns: A Report of a Work Group

Each year, several thousand babies with congenital disorders are saved from early death or lifelong disability as a result of early detection through newborn screening programs. An exciting new technology, tandem mass spectrometry, allows laboratories to test for many new conditions and to improve the accuracy of screening, but this technology must be used with care. As laboratories explore its possible adoption, CDC and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) are working with the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center to provide guidance on the technical and logistical requirements for introduction of this technology into newborn screening programs.

MMWR Fact Sheet
April 13, 2001

Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
(404) 639–3286

Facts about Surveillance for Fatal and Nonfatal Firearm-Related Injuries

The findings in this report include data about fatal and nonfatal firearm-related injuries. Both injuries and deaths related to firearms declined from 1993 through 1998. However, despite the decline, an average 260 persons per day sustained firearm-related injuries in 1998; one-third (31,000) of these resulted in death. Information obtained from studying injuries and deaths related to firearms can help public health professionals, healthcare providers, and others determine who is most at risk and identify means of reducing that risk. The data for this report was captured from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and CDC's National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). Key findings from the report include:

• Fatal and nonfatal firearm-related injury rates declined substantially from 1993 through 1998. The death rate declined by 29%. The nonfatal injury rate declined 47%.
• Over the six-year period, the annual number of deaths declined from 39,595 to 30,708. The annual number of nonfatal injuries declined form 104,241 to 64,484.
• Firearm-related injuries decreased for all intents: assault, intentionally self-inflicted, and unintentional.
• However, in 1998, firearm-related deaths remained the second leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States — after motor-vehicle-traffic-related deaths.
• Most firearm-related deaths in the United States are suicides; the rate is highest for males 65 years and older. Firearm-related assault and homicide rates were highest for males 15–24 years of age.
• Forty-five percent of unintentional, nonfatal, firearm-related injuries were reported to occur in the home; 72% were reported to be self-inflicted, and 53% were reported to involve a handgun.

The full-report, "Surveillance for Fatal and Nonfatal Firearm-Related Injures, United States, 1993–1998" will be available online, after 4 p.m., at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_ss.html.

CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

Synopsis for April 13, 2001

Outbreak of Acute Febrile Respiratory Illness Among College Students — Acapulco, Mexico, March 2001

CDC and the Mexico Ministry of Health are investigating an outbreak of respiratory illness among U.S. college students who traveled to Acapulco in March 2001.

The outbreak was first reported to CDC after students from two colleges in Pennsylvania, who were in Acapulco for Spring Break during March 3-18, sought medical care. As of April 9, cases (221 students) have been reported from 37 colleges in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Laboratory testing for the cause of the outbreak is ongoing. However, initial tests indicate that the illness is probably histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus present in the soil. Symptoms include a high fever lasting for > 3 days, headaches, dry cough, and chest pain. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. The source of the exposure has not yet been determined. Students should consult their primary healthcare professionals if symptoms develop. Physicians should notify their state health department about these cases..

Multiple Sex Partners and Condom Use Among U.S. Adults — United States, 1997

Only a small percentage of U.S. adults surveyed — in 23 states and Puerto Rico in 1997 — are at risk of HIV through sexual transmission.

The findings in this report indicate that only a small percentage of adults (18–49 years of age), surveyed in 23 states and Puerto Rico, are at risk of HIV through sexual transmission. Of the 33,913 people surveyed, 85% reported being sexually active. Of these individuals, only 11% reported having multiple sexual partners in the last year, and of those with multiple partners, 65% reported using condoms at last sexual intercourse. The survey suggests that 4.2% of the respondents were at some behavioral risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV infection sexually or through drug use. Condom use among this group was low (26%), pointing to the need for targeted research and intensified prevention efforts for high risk populations. These data point to the ongoing need for prevention efforts focusing on HIV and STDs, including efforts to promote healthy sexual behaviors.

Human West Nile Virus Surveillance — Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, 2000

(Summary not available.)

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis and Dracunculiasis Eradication — Sudan, 2000

Despite ongoing civil conflict, Sudan has made great strides in the eradication of both polio and Guinea worm disease.

Due to ongoing civil conflict in the southern part of the country, Sudan has posed a special obstacle to the global polio and dracunculiasis eradication campaigns. Substantial progress has been made in polio eradication. The acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system improved dramatically from 1999-2000 and the number of confirmed polio cases declined. Lack of access to villages in the south has hampered dracunculiasis eradication, which has made more progress in the northern states. The achievements in both programs demonstrate that eradication programs can be successful even in countries experiencing internal conflict. This success is dependent on government support and national commitment, access to children living in areas of conflict, and continued provision of financial and human resources. However, dracunculiasis eradication may only be possible with the resolution of the war.

Media Home | Contact Us

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed Friday, April 18, 2001
URL:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication