MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

News Summary for July 28, 2011

1. Nonfatal Sports-Related and Recreation-Related Heat Illness Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments — United States, 2001–2009

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

This report estimates that from 2001–2009, almost 6,000 persons sought emergency room care for a heat illness sustained during a sport or recreational activity every year in the United States. Males accounted for three-quarters of the cases, and persons aged 15–19 years accounted for one-third. The two most common activities leading to heat-related emergency department visits were football and exercise. Anyone can be susceptible to heat illness, and thus it's necessary to take appropriate steps to prevent it. These include taking frequent rest breaks, consuming plenty of fluids, and limiting activity during very hot or humid days. Other prevention tips include giving your body several days to acclimate to the hot weather, and wearing lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. All persons who are physically active, including those who participate in unstructured sports and recreational activities, need to take appropriate actions to protect themselves from heat illness. When heat illness occurs, prompt recognition and response can save lives.

2. Characteristics of Mothers Associated With Influenza Vaccination of Their Preschool Children — Oregon, 2006–2008

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Preschool children are at greater risk for seasonal influenza-related hospitalization than other populations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that all children aged greater than or equal to 6 months be vaccinated against influenza annually. In this study, data from the Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey follow-back survey (Oregon PRAMS-2) were analyzed to identify maternal sociodemographic and health-care usage correlates of influenza vaccination status among children aged 2 years. Some factors positively associated with recent influenza vaccination included children's influenza vaccination in the previous year, children's receipt of all recommended immunizations, and children's uninterrupted health insurance coverage. Findings indicate a need for health-care provider–based and community-based strategies aimed at providing all children access to influenza vaccine.

3. HIV-2 Infection Surveillance — United States, 1987–2009

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Team
(404) 639-8895

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) surveillance shows that reported cases of HIV-2 remain rare in the United States (an average of only 12 diagnoses per year in 2000-2009) and are largely confined to persons from West Africa (81 percent). Most cases were reported from the Northeast (66 percent), particularly New York City (46 percent). However, some HIV-2 cases might not have been recognized because, among reported cases, nearly 60 percent were initially misclassified as HIV-1 by the Western blot, the test most commonly used to confirm HIV infection. Correct identification of HIV-2 is important because many drugs used to treat HIV-1 are not effective against HIV-2. Healthcare providers and laboratories should consider specific testing for HIV-2 if tests for HIV-1 are inconsistent with one another, inconclusive, or imply the absence of HIV infection despite clinical evidence suggesting its presence, particularly if the patient is from West Africa. Suspected HIV-2 cases should be reported to the state or local health department, which can conduct supplemental diagnostic tests for HIV-2 or arrange for them to be done at the CDC laboratory.

4. Progress Toward Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis — Togo, 2000–2009

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

California Department of Public Health
Office of Public Affairs
Al Lundeen
(916) 440-7143

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide, can be eliminated in sub-Saharan countries with limited resources. Using a network of community health workers that delivered drug-company donated medication house to house annually for at least five years, Togo's LF elimination program has proved successful. Togo is the first sub-Saharan country to achieve this milestone, with others expected to follow. LF is a mosquito-borne disease of poverty. Some 120 million people are infected and 1.1 billion are at risk of infection. In its severest form, LF leads to elephantiasis, a crippling condition in which the limbs are severely swollen. The success of the LF programs in Togo has shown that elimination of LF nationally in sub-Saharan countries with limited resources is possible as long as there is political commitment, social mobilization, and successful partnerships among national and international partners. Drug company donations also greatly facilitate the programs.

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES