Synopsis for August 15, 2003

The MMWR is embargoed until NOON ET, Thursdays.

1. Outbreaks of Aseptic Meningitis Associated with Echoviruses 9 and 30 and Preliminary Surveillance Reports on Enterovirus Activity — United States, 2003
2. Prevalence of Physical Activity, Including Lifestyle Activities Among Adults— United States, 2000–2001
3. Detection of West Nile Virus in Blood Donations — United States, 2003
4. West Nile Virus Activity — United States, August 7– 13, 2003

Synopsis for August 15, 2003

Outbreaks of Aseptic Meningitis Associated with Echoviruses 9 and 30 and Preliminary Surveillance Reports on Enterovirus Activity — United States, 2003

Aseptic (viral) meningitis is in most cases associated with enteroviruses, but other viruses, including West Nile virus (WNV), may be also implicated

Aseptic (viral) meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, and occurs predominantly during summer and fall, both sporadically and in outbreaks. Enteroviruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. In rare cases, other pathogens, including WNV, may be also implicated. Certain enteroviruses, e.g. echoviruses 9 (E9) and 30 (E30), have frequently been associated with aseptic meningitis outbreaks. As of August 7, 2003, public health departments in several states reported aseptic meningitis outbreaks associated with E9 or E30. This is consistent with the national enterovirus surveillance data, which shows that E9 and E30 are the predominant enteroviruses currently circulating nationwide. Enteroviruses, particularly E9 and E30, should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with aseptic meningitis, even during a documented WNV outbreak.

Prevalence of Physical Activity, Including Lifestyle Activities Among Adults — United States, 2000–2001

Although regular physical activity remains an important part of health promotion and health maintenance, the majority of U.S. adults do not engage in the minimum recommended amount of physical activity.

This report provided prevalence estimates of physical activity in U.S. adults (overall and by state/territory) from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which used a more comprehensive approach to measuring physical activity, including physical activities often described as “lifestyle”. In 2001, a total of 55% of persons were not active enough to meet the minimum recommendations and results varied substantially by state and territory. By incorporating lifestyle physical activity measurements, including household- and transportation-related physical activity, U.S. states and territories have an updated baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs designed to promote physical activity.

Detection of West Nile Virus in Blood Donations — United States, 2003

The blood supply in the US is being screened for West Nile Virus (WNV) with new screening tests to help make the blood supply safer from transfusion-transmission of WNV.

This year, every blood donation collected in the United States is being screened for WNV. Because most WNV infected people do not become ill, most donors with WNV in their blood will not be ill when they donate blood. Any donated blood that is positive on the screening test is removed from the blood supply and no longer available for transfusion. These new screening tests are still under development and currently have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As of August 5, more than 1 million blood donations have been screened. Of these donations, approximately 160 donations were positive on the experimental screening tests; the donors are considered infected until additional confirmatory testing is performed.

West Nile Virus Activity — United States,
August 7– August 13, 2003

No summary available.

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