MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. State-Specific Healthy Life Expectancy at Age 65 Years — United States, 2007–2009

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Healthy life expectancy (HLE) is a population health measure that combines age-specific mortality with morbidity or health status to estimate expected years of life in good health for persons at a given age. A report by CDC estimating state-specific HLE indicated that, overall, at age 65 years, females had a greater HLE than males during 2007-2009. Whites had a greater HLE than blacks in all states for which sufficient data were available and the District of Columbia, except in Nevada and New Mexico. These results can be used as a baseline for states to monitor changes in the HLE of persons aged ≥65 years and to identify health disparities among population subgroups by state. HLE measures provide a snapshot of current mortality rates and health status for various populations and suggest the long-range implications of the prevailing age-specific death and illness rates. HLE is a relatively simple measure that can be readily used by public health officials, health-care providers, and policymakers to understand the health status of a population. The results presented in this study can be used as a baseline for states to monitor changes in the HLE of persons aged ≥65 years and identify health disparities among population subgroups.

2. Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Associated with Foods Purchased from Mobile Lunch Trucks — Alberta, Canada, October 2010–February 2011

Shannon M. Evans, Senior Communications Advisor
Alberta Health Services
office: (403) 943.0597
AHS Media Relations - 403.943.1212
email: shannon.evans@albertahealthservices.ca

The investigation summarized in the article highlights the potential for lunch trucks to be a source of foodborne illness and the need for robust regulatory compliance monitoring of lunch trucks and their food suppliers. An outbreak of 91 Salmonella Enteritidis infections in Alberta during 2010-2011 was linked to a Calgary-based catering company that supplied items for lunch trucks and other vendors. Foods likely were contaminated directly or indirectly through the use of illegally sourced eggs or by infected catering employees. No further outbreak cases were identified after full implementation of public health interventions at the implicated caterer as required by Alberta Health Services, which included training and enforcement of approved food-handling procedures.

3. Dengue Outbreak — Federated States of Micronesia, 2012–2013

Eric Nilles, Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Team Leader (interim)
Division of Pacific Technical Support
Suva, Fiji
+ 679 3234100 (office)

The Pacific islands countries and territories continue to experience a substantial burden from dengue.  Each year, there are a number of dengue outbreaks in the Pacific amongst these small, and largely resource poor, nations. This outbreak report describes one such outbreak in the state of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, including the response and the lessons learned.  This report is intended to help other small islands states prepare for and respond to dengue outbreaks. Good clinical management of dengue can limit the progression to severe disease and death.

4. Updated CDC Recommendations for Use of VariZIG — United States, 2013

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

VariZIG, a varicella zoster immune globulin, is now approved for use in the United States. CDC recommends that healthcare providers give VariZIG as soon as possible and within 10 days of exposure to varicella and herpes zoster. VariZIG should be given to patients who are at high risk for severe varicella, and to individuals not considered protected against varicella or cannot receive the vaccine, such as certain groups of newborns and premature babies, people with compromised immune systems and pregnant women. Since the U. S. varicella (chickenpox) vaccination program started in 1996, varicella has declined significantly.  However, cases of varicella and herpes zoster still occur.  VariZIG is now approved for use in the United States for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella.  Previously, VariZIG was available under an investigational new drug protocol. 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES