Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z

CDC Media Relations
Media Home | Contact Us
US Department of Health and Human Services logo and link

Media Relations Links
• About Us
• Media Contact
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Media Site Map

CDC News
• Press Release Library
• Transcripts
• MMWR Summaries
• B-Roll Footage
• Upcoming Events

Related Links
• Centers at CDC
• Data and Statistics
• Health Topics A-Z
• Image Library
• Publications, Software and Other Products
• Global Health Odyssey
Find your state or local health department
HHS News
National Health Observances
Visit the FirstGov Web Site
Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394


MMWR
Synopsis for November 15, 2002

The MMWR is embargoed until 12 Noon ET, Thursdays.

  1. Influenza Outbreak -- Madagascar, July-August 2002
  2. Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Levels Among Persons Aged 65 Years and Older -- United States, 2001
  3. HIV Testing Among Pregnant Women -- United States and Canada, 1998-2001
  4. West Nile Virus Activity -- United States, November 7-13, 2002

Notice to Readers

The Use of Anthrax Vaccine in Response to Terrorism: Supplemental Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

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

Telebriefing for November 14, 2002
WHO: Jim Singleton, CDC influenza and pneumococcal vaccine expert
WHAT: To discuss influenza and pneumococcal vaccine rates among older persons in the United States. Brief remarks followed by Q/A.
WHEN: Thursday, November 14, 2002; NOON ET
WHERE: At your desk, by toll-free conference line: Dial 866-254-5942
Teleconference name: CDC
A full transcript will be available today following the teleconference and this teleconference will also be audio webcast. Access both at http://www.cdc.gov/media/.

Synopsis for November 15, 2002

Influenza Outbreak -- Madagascar, July-August 2002

A large influenza outbreak in southeastern Madagascar caused thousands of respiratory illnesses and hundreds of deaths, primarily among persons living in remote highland villages.

PRESS CONTACT:
Timothy Uyeki, MD, MPH, MPP

CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 639-0277
 
A large influenza outbreak occurred in southeastern Madagascar during July and August with thousands of respiratory illnesses and hundreds of deaths reported. The most affected persons were those living in remote highland villages. Nearly all deaths occurred far away from healthcare facilities. Madagascar is the world’s 4th largest island country and one of the poorest countries in the world. An investigation by a team from the World Health Organization and CDC concluded that the outbreak was attributed to influenza A (H3N2) viruses. The influenza virus strain associated with this outbreak is similar to strains that have been circulating worldwide for several years. This season’s 2002-03 U.S. influenza vaccine includes a similar strain to the one that caused this outbreak.

 

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Levels Among Persons Aged 65 Years and Older -- United States, 2001

Vaccination can help protect persons 65 and older from influenza and pneumococcal disease, two of the most important causes of death among older Americans.

PRESS CONTACT:
James Singleton

CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639-8848
(Alternate: John Moran, MD, MPH, same phone number)
 
A recent analysis of data from CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed that influenza vaccination is only reaching two-thirds of people 65 and older who would benefit from it and that coverage dropped slightly between 1999 and 2001, probably because of the delays in distribution of influenza vaccine in 2000. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage is even lower, only about 60 percent in 2001, but that was a gain of 6 percent from 1999 rates. Coverage of both vaccines was lower among African Americans and Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites. Continued efforts to improve immunization rates, especially among minority populations, will be necessary to reach the Healthy People 2010 coverage objectives of 90 percent for both vaccines among persons 65 and older.

 

HIV Testing Among Pregnant Women -- United States and Canada, 1998-2001

A new CDC review of studies on prenatal HIV testing in the U.S. and Canada found that high rates of testing can be achieved under several different approaches.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communication

CDC, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
(404) 639-8895
 
Testing rates of 85-98 percent were reported in areas with voluntary "opt-out" testing – routine HIV testing in which women are given the option to decline. Likewise, the two states with mandatory newborn testing laws demonstrated similar prenatal testing rates between 81-93 percent. Voluntary "opt-in" testing – which offers women the option of adding an HIV test to their routine battery of tests – demonstrated a wide range of testing rates (between 25-83 percent), and authors note that, overall, opt-out and mandatory testing options are associated with higher testing rates than opt-in. The review affirms the importance of HIV testing during pregnancy to ensure the mother and child fully benefit from therapies to prevent and treat HIV infection, and emphasizes the need for routine standardized monitoring to better assess prenatal testing rates in the United States.

 

West Nile Virus Activity -- United States, November 7-13, 2002

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639-3286
 
Summary Not Available.

 

 

 

 


Media Home | Contact Us

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed November 14, 2002
URL:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication