Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv
Update Sent January 7, 2008
NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current Clinician's information can be found on the Clinician Home Page.
Quick Test For Drug-Resistant Staph Infections
FDA Clears First Quick Test For Drug-Resistant Staph Infections - FDA - Jan. 2
The FDA announced it has cleared for marketing the first rapid blood test for the drug-resistant staph bacterium known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which can cause potentially deadly infections. The BD GeneOhm StaphSR Assay uses molecular methods to identify whether a blood sample contains genetic material from the MRSA bacterium or the more common, less dangerous staph bacterium that can still be treated with methicillin. In order to preserve the integrity of positive test results, this test should be used only in patients suspected of a staph infection. The test should not be used to monitor treatment for staph infections because it cannot quantify a patient’s response to treatment. Test results should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis as they may reflect the bacteria’s presence in patients who have been successfully treated for staph infections. Also, the test will not rule out other complicating conditions or infections.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01768.html
Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza - situation in Egypt - WHO update - Jan. 3
The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has announced the death of a previously confirmed case of H5N1 infection. The 50 years old female from Domiatt governorate died on 31 December. Of the 43 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 19 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_01_03/en/index.html
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1- WHO - Jan. 3
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2008_01_03/
H5N1 avian influenza: timeline of major events - PDF file - WHO - Jan. 2
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/timeline2008_01_02.pdf
Pandemic Influenza
Promising Practices for Pandemic Planning: Toolkit provides guidance on home care for the sick - CIDRAP website - Jan. 2 PDF file: "Stay at Home Toolkit for Influenza" CIDRAP article: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/panflu/news/jan0208homecarepp.html. |
Seasonal Influenza
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update – Jan 4
During week 52 (December 23-29, 2007), influenza activity continued to increase in the United States.
One hundred eight (3.2%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza.
The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was below the epidemic threshold.
The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) was above national baseline levels. The East North Central, East South Central, Mountain, New England, South Atlantic, and West South Central regions reported ILI equal to or above their region-specific baselines, and the East North Central, Pacific, and West South Central regions reported ARI equal to or above their region-specific baselines.
Five states reported regional influenza activity; nine states reported local influenza activity; 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported sporadic influenza activity; and three states reported no influenza activity.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Weekly US Map – Jan 4
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
Rabies
Public Health Response to a Rabid Kitten - Four States, 2007 - MMWR - Jan. 4
On July 24, 2007, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified by the North Carolina Division of Public Health of a stray, rabid kitten that had been handled by players on several girls' softball teams during a tournament in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. This report summarizes the public health response to exposure to the rabid kitten and highlights the importance of multistate collaboration in a rabid animal investigation.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5651a1.htm
Norovirus
Norovirus Outbreak in an Elementary School - District of Columbia, February 2007 - MMWR - Jan. 4
On February 8, 2007, the District of Columbia Department of Health was notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in an elementary school (prekindergarten through sixth grade). The school nurse reported that 27 students and two staff members had become ill during February 4-8 with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; because symptoms lasted <48 hours, a viral etiology was suspected. This report summarizes the subsequent investigation of the outbreak, which suggested that noncleaned computer equipment (i.e., keyboards and mice) and person-to-person contact resulted in illness. To decrease disease transmission during gastroenteritis outbreaks, public health officials should emphasize good handwashing practices, exclusion of ill persons, and thorough environmental disinfection, including fomites that are shared but not commonly cleaned.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5651a2.htm
Travelers' Health
Requirements for Use of a New International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for Yellow Fever Vaccine - MMWR - Jan. 4
In response to the 2005 revision of the International Health Regulations, as of December 15, 2007, a new International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) has replaced the old certificates. The new certificate provides space for potential certification of additional types of vaccination or prophylaxis to protect against newly emerging or reemerging diseases or other events of public health importance. However, the only vaccination currently required to be indicated on the ICVP is for yellow fever.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5651a4.htm
Training Opportunity
2008 Dental Infection Control & Occupational Health Course
From Jan. 21 through 24, The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) and the US Air Force will host this four day "train the trainer" course for anyone responsible for their dental facility's infection control and safety program. The program will be conducted at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Ravinia Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Please refer to the course schedule for a detailed listing of topics, speakers, and times. This program provides up to 27 CE hours. OSAP is an American Dental Association (ADA) CERP recognized provider. These credits are also accepted by the Academy of General Dentistry. Registration closes on Jan. 11.
http://www.osap.org/displayconvention.cfm
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Page last modified January 7, 2008
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