MMWR News Synopsis for January 9, 2014

Lung Cancer Incidence Trends Among Men and Women — United States, 2005–2009

CDC Media Relations
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The rate of new lung cancer cases decreased among men and women in the United States from 2005 to 2009. Continued attention to local, state, and national population-based tobacco prevention and control strategies are needed to achieve further reductions in tobacco use among both men and women of all ages to reduce lung cancer in the United States. Lung cancer incidence rates went down 2.6 percent per year among men, from 87 to 78 cases per 100,000 men and 1.1 percent per year among women, from 57 to 54 cases per 100,000 women. The fastest drop was among adults aged 35-44 years, decreasing 6.5 percent per year among men and 5.8 percent per year among women. Lung cancer incidence rates decreased more rapidly among men than among women in all age groups. Among adults aged 35-44 years, men had slightly lower rates of lung cancer incidence than women.

Recreational Water–Associated Disease Outbreaks — United States, 2009–2010

CDC Media Relations
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Public health officials from 28 states and Puerto Rico reported 81 disease outbreaks linked to recreational water (for example, pools and lakes) for 2009–2010. Swimming is a great form of physical activity year-round, but germs can spread in the water if we don’t each do our part to promote healthy swimming. Swimmers can help keep germs out of the water by taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea. Aquatics staff can kill germs in the water by maintaining disinfectant levels and pH according to public health standards that are enforced by pool inspectors. Healthy swimming is important all year—even in the winter. Hot tubs/spas were linked to 18 (22 percent) outbreaks, of which seven (39 percent) occurred in February or March.

Freshwater Algal Bloom–Associated Disease Outbreaks Among Users of Untreated Recreational Waters — United States, 2009 –2010

CDC Media Relations
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Harmful algal blooms commonly occur in freshwater bodies. They can create bad odors, they can discolor the water or accumulate as a scum on the surface of the water. People should avoid, and animals should be kept from, and neither should drink directly from lakes and ponds that have a scum on the water. People should also observe any local water advisories. Eleven waterborne disease outbreaks reported to CDC in 2009–2010 were linked to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater lakes during summer months. The outbreaks most often affected people less than 20 years old. HABs tend to occur in warm bodies of water that are rich in nutrients and often produce a visible algal scum on the water. HABs might generate toxins that can make humans sick and cause death among fish, birds and dogs. Ill people report a range of health effects, including neurologic symptoms (for example, confusion), diarrhea, cough, rash, and earache.  Health-care providers should consider HAB—toxin exposure as a possible cause of illness in people who have been in or alongside freshwater bodies with algal blooms. Future increases in water temperature and nutrient pollution are expected to result in an increase in the number of HABs in freshwater lakes.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES