Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv
Update Sent January 28, 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.
Today's topics Include:
- Recall of Am2Pat Prefilled Syringes
- National Response Framework
- MMWR
- Avian Influenza
- Seasonal Influenza
- Travelers' Health
Recall of Am2Pat Prefilled Syringes
Update: Recall of Am2Pat Prefilled Syringes Because of Possible Serratia Contamination - FDA - Jan 25
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide recall of all lots of heparin and saline pre-filled flush syringes manufactured by AM2 PAT, Inc., of Angier, N.C. Two lots have been found to be contaminated with Serratia marcescens, a bacterium that can cause serious injury or death. These syringes are manufactured by AM2 PAT under the brand names Sierra Pre-filled, Inc. and B. Braun. They are sold in fill sizes of 3mL, 5mL and 10mL and syringe sizes of 6mL and 12mL. Consumers and health care facilities with any of the recalled, pre-filled Heparin Lock or Normal Saline IV Flush syringes should stop using the product immediately.
FDA Press Release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01785.html
National Response Framework Released
National Response Framework Released - FEMA - Jan 22
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as Federal department and agency heads, State governors, mayors, tribal leaders, city managers and the private sector. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema
NRF Resource Center: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
The current issue of MMWR has several articles of interest - Jan 25
Influenza-Testing and Antiviral-Agent Prescribing Practices - To assess influenza-testing and antiviral-agent prescribing practices during the 2006-07 influenza season, personnel at four of 10 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) sites with influenza hospitalization surveillance surveyed PCPs. This report describes the results of that survey, which indicated that 69.0% of the PCPs administered influenza tests to patients who had ILI during the influenza season and 53.8% prescribed antiviral agents, including two (i.e., amantadine and rimantadine) no longer recommended by CDC.
Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Associated with Exposure to Turtles - United States, 2007-2008 - In October 2007, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) notified CDC of human infections caused by Salmonella serotype Paratyphi B L (+) tartrate (+) (Salmonella Paratyphi B var. Java) in several states. Salmonella Paratyphi B var. Java is a nontyphoidal strain of Salmonella that causes gastroenteritis. This report describes the results of the epidemiologic and laboratory investigation conducted by CDC and state and local health departments during October 2007--January 2008. The findings document an ongoing, multistate outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. Java infections, with the first reported illness onset occurring on May 4, 2007. Many of these infections have occurred in young children and have been associated with exposure to small turtles. Prohibiting the sale and distribution of small turtles likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent turtle-associated salmonellosis.
Avian Influenza
Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia - WHO update - Jan. 24
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced the death of a previously confirmed case of H5N1 infection. The 30-year-old male from Tangerang District, Banten Province died on 24 January 2008. Of the 120 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 98 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_01_24a/en/index.html
Avian influenza – situation in Viet Nam - WHO update - Jan. 24
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case has been confirmed by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE). The case is a 34 year old male from Tuyen Quang Province. He developed symptoms on 10 January, was hospitalized on 16 January and died on 18 January. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness. Poultry infected with H5N1 avian influenza were identified in the case's village following his illness. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts have been identified. All remain healthy and will continue to be monitored. Of the 102 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 48 have been fatal.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_01_24/en/index.html
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1- WHO - Jan. 24
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2008_01_24/en/index.html
Seasonal Influenza
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update - Jan. 25
During week 3 (January 13 - 19, 2008), influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. Three hundred twenty-nine (11.1%) 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 slightly above the epidemic threshold. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was above national baseline levels, and the proportion of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness (ARI) was below national baseline levels. The East North Central, East South Central, Mountain, New England, Pacific, West North Central, and West South Central regions reported ILI at or above their region-specific baselines. Six states reported widespread influenza activity; 17 states reported regional influenza activity; 17 states and the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity; 10 states and Puerto Rico reported sporadic influenza activity.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Weekly US Map - Jan. 25
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
Travelers' Health
Updated Case Numbers for Yellow Fever Outbreak in Brazil - CDC - Jan.25
On January 8, 2008, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MOH) announced a yellow fever disease alert for tourists and diplomats residing in Brazil, due to a number of suspected and confirmed human yellow fever cases during December 2007 and January 2008. As of January 23, 2008, 18 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever have been reported, including nine deaths. The Brazilian MOH alert states that travelers to “areas of risk” for yellow fever should be vaccinated 10 days before going to such areas. In addition to areas previously identified in CDC’s guidance to travelers, the Brazilian MOH has identified two additional states with yellow fever risk: the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowFeverBrazil.aspx
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