MMWR News Synopsis for December 17, 2015

 

Rabies in a Dog Imported from Egypt with a Falsified Rabies Vaccination Certificate — Virginia, 2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

CDC Media Relations 404-639-3286 This report highlights the current difficulties in verifying any imported dog’s rabies vaccination certificate and health status. Globally, dogs are the principal source for human rabies infections though all animals though pose a risk for transmission of zoonotic diseases. This report details the fourth known rabid dog imported from a non-U.S. territory since 2004. CDC and state agencies have previously received reports of invalid or questionable health and rabies vaccination certificates for imported dogs. Through health alerts and policy changes, CDC has attempted to address mounting concerns about importation of inadequately immunized dogs. Considering the public health risk posed by importation of animals, and the current oversupply of adoptable animals already in the United States, animal welfare stakeholders should consider focusing their efforts on supporting local organizations that provide adoptive homes, along with health care services, for street animals in their own countries.

Invasive Cancer Incidence and Survival — United States, 2012

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

The burden of cancer can be reduced by maximizing efforts to improve adherence to cancer screening recommendations and to promote healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco, getting enough physical activity, keeping a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol use. Policy, systems, and environmental strategies can help make the healthy choice the easy choice. Approximately 1.5 million new cases of cancer were reported in the United States in 2012 according to national cancer registry data. Prostate, female breast, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum cancers accounted for half of all cancers diagnosed in 2012. Disparities in cancer incidence still persist, with incidence rates higher among men (483 per 100,000) than women (412 per 100,000), and ranging by state from 371 in New Mexico per 100,000 persons to 515 in the District of Columbia per 100,000 persons. Rates of prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer were lower in 2012 than in 2011; rates may decrease because of changes in risk factors and use of screening tests. About 2 of 3 people diagnosed with cancer survived 5 or more years after diagnosis but there are differences by age, sex, race, and type of cancer. These data are based on United States Cancer Statistics, the official annual federal government cancer incidence and mortality statistics for the U.S. population and for individual states, available at www.cdc.gov/uscs.

Notes from the Field:

• Injection Safety and Vaccine Administration Errors at an Employee Influenza Vaccination Clinic — New Jersey, 2015
• Acute Mercury Poisoning After Home Gold and Silver Smelting — Iowa, 2014

QuickStats

• Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Looked up Health Information on the Internet in the Past Year, by Type of Locality — National Health Interview Survey, 2012–2014

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES