MMWR News Synopsis for August 10, 2017

National and State Estimates of the Numbers of Adults and Children with Active Epilepsy — United States, 2015

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Because epilepsy is common, the public should learn to recognize and respond appropriately to seizures and share concerns about seizure symptoms with their doctors. A new CDC study found that in 2015, 3.4 million people – 3 million adults and 470,000 children – had active epilepsy (doctor-diagnosed epilepsy and either were taking medication or having recent seizures). Epilepsy is a brain disorder that leads to recurring seizures. For the first time, estimates of the numbers of adults and children with active epilepsy are available for all states. The number of people with active epilepsy in 2015 ranged from 5,900 in Wyoming to 427,700 in California. Public health practitioners, health care providers, and others interested in the care of people with epilepsy should ensure that evidence-based programs meet the complex health and social needs of the thousands of adults and children with active epilepsy in their states.

Acute Flaccid Myelitis Among Children — Washington, September–November 2016

Julie Graham
Strategic Communications
Washington State Department of Health
Julie.Graham@DOH.WA.gov
360-810-1628

AFM is a serious illness. The Washington State Department of Health and local health jurisdictions continue to investigate all cases, and clinicians should maintain awareness of AFM and report suspected cases as soon as possible. During September–November 2016, 10 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) were confirmed in previously healthy residents of Washington. The ages of patients ranged between 3 and 14 years. All children had sudden onset of weakness in one or more limbs. Other symptoms included neck weakness, incontinence, and facial weakness. All of the children were hospitalized; there were no deaths. State and local health departments conducted an investigation with assistance from the CDC. As seen in previously reported clusters of AFM, no pathogen was consistently isolated from the samples tested, and the cause of these AFM cases remains unknown. Clinicians should continue to be aware of possibility of AFM in their patients and report suspected cases as soon as possible.

Notes from the Field:

• Increase in Coccidioidomycosis — California, 2016 Quick Stats:
• Zika Virus–Associated Neonatal Birth Defects Surveillance — Texas, January 2016–June 2017

Quick Stats:

• Age-Adjusted Rates for Deaths from Homicide, by Race/Ethnicity — United States, 1999–2015

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