MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Prevalence of Diagnosed Tourette Syndrome in Persons Ages 6-17 Years – United States, 2007

Press Contact: Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

• Press Release

This report provides the first-ever prevalence estimate of diagnosed Tourette Syndrome (TS) based on a nationally representative sample of U.S. children. Having an estimate of the number of U.S. children establishes the baseline from which to track trends in prevalence of this condition. The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) is the first large, national, population-based survey of U.S. children up to 18 years of age that includes questions on TS. The data from this survey will provide information on the needs of children with TS and their family that were not available in the past. Further research is critical to understand how to fulfill those needs and the overall impact of the co-occurring conditions affecting children with TS. The first-ever estimate of children diagnosed with TS among a national sample of U.S. children revealed that 3 out of every 1000 children between the age of 6 and 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with TS, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The study also found that among children with TS, 27 percent were reported as having moderate or severe TS and 79 percent of children had also been diagnosed with at least one additional mental health or neurodevelopmental condition such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which may contribute to overall impairment.

Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection – Mexico, March-May, 2009

Press Contact: Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

The scientific data collected thus far in Mexico on the novel A (H1N1) outbreak in Mexico is consistent with data collected thus far of the same novel influenza that has been spreading across the United States and other countries. This data suggests that the epidemic peaked nationally in Mexico during late April, although localized cases continue to be identified. Novel flu A (H1N1) virus in Mexico peaked nationally in April as research suggest a decline in the number of new cases during May. This report updates a previous MMWR report (May 8, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. 17) on the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreak in Mexico from March to May of 2009. It provides current descriptive epidemiological data and summarizes public health actions taken by Mexico through the end of May to monitor and control the outbreak.

Estimated HIV Incidence and Diagnoses of HIV Infection — Puerto Rico, 2006

Press Contact: Jeff Golden, Public Information Officer
Public Health Madison Dane County
Phone: (787) 763-0240

An analysis of data on new HIV infections (or HIV incidence) in Puerto Rico provides further insight into the HIV epidemic on the island and also sheds light on significant differences between the local epidemic and that of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Researchers from the Puerto Rico Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that an estimated 1,440 persons – or about 45 persons per 100,000 population – in Puerto Rico were newly infected with HIV in 2006. Injection drug use (IDU) was the primary route of transmission. The HIV incidence rate among males was 2.1 times that of females. By age, the highest rate of incidence was among those aged 30-39. Researchers also analyzed data on HIV diagnoses in Puerto Rico and found that the incidence findings track closely with these data; this indicates that data on HIV diagnoses are a valuable tool for analyzing the current impact of the epidemic in Puerto Rico. Additionally, the analysis finds that the epidemiology of HIV in Puerto Rico is very different than that of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.: in 2006, the incidence rate in Puerto Rico was two times higher, most new infections occurred among IDU instead of gay and bisexual men, and most new infections occurred in persons aged 30-39 instead of younger adults. The findings underscore the continued need to tailor HIV prevention efforts to meet local needs, especially in Puerto Rico.

Impact of New WHO Growth Standards on the Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition and Operations of Feeding Programs – Darfur, Sudan, 2005-2007

Press Contact: Vivi Abrams
NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communications
Phone: (770) 488-0627

As the new WHO growth standards are undergoing universal adoption and implementation, international health agencies and ministries of health must also anticipate and prepare for the substantial increase in the number of children to be treated for acute malnutrition, and budget for additional millions of dollars (USD) that will be required to do so. To not prepare effectively from a logistical and financial perspective could potentially jeopardize the quality of care for many acutely malnourished children worldwide. Acute malnutrition among children younger than 5 years-old is a key indicator routinely used for describing the severity and magnitude of humanitarian disasters. The World Health Organization recently published new global growth standards for the population- and individual-level of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years of age. Currently, international health agencies and ministries of health are in the process of converting to these new standards. However, as the transition is being made, it is critical to understand the consequences of instantly changing to the new standard. The CDC analyzed and evaluated the impact of transitioning to the WHO standards. The study finds that for the children of Darfur analyzed in this report, the prevalences of global and severe acute malnutrition increase substantially. For the Darfur feeding programs alone, this translates to tens of thousands more children needing to be treated for acute malnutrition, which would require several millions of dollars (USD) more in funding.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES