Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv
Update Sent April 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:
- COCA Conference Call: Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
- Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal
- Heparin
- Salmonella
- Hib Vaccine Shortage
- Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
- Seasonal Influenza
COCA Conference Call:
Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
Title: Preventing Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
Speaker: CDR John Jernigan, MD, MS
Date: Tuesday April 29, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET
Please visit our website for the call-in information, objectives, and Continuing Education Credit information. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted by the date of the call: http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/coca/callinfo.asp.
Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal
The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) journal provides recognition of new and re-emerging infections and understanding of factors involved in disease emergence, prevention, and elimination. It also represents the scientific communications component of CDC's efforts against the threat of emerging infections. See the May 2008 issue of the EID journal at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/index.htm.
Heparin
Update to Healthcare Facilities and Healthcare Professionals about Heparin and Heparin-containing Medical Products - FDA - April 25
The Food and Drug Administration is summarizing important information relating to medical products that contain potentially contaminated heparin and is seeking assistance from healthcare facilities and providers in identifying and reporting adverse events related to these products.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/heparin-healthcare-update.html
Salmonella
Ongoing Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Agona - CDC - April 23
An investigation that includes interviews of persons with Salmonella Agona infections and comparison of the DNA fingerprints suggests that cereal from Malt-O-Meal unsweetened Puffed Rice Cereals and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals is likely related to these illnesses. As of April 22, 2008, state and city health departments from 12 states have identified 21 ill persons infected with same genetic fingerprint of Salmonella Agona. Ill persons with the outbreak strain have been identified from Colorado (1), Delaware (1), Maine (3), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), North Dakota (1), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (4), New York (3), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), and Vermont (1). Onset dates, which are known for 13 patients, ranged from January 22 to March 8, 2008. Patients’ ages ranged from 4 months to 95 years with a median age of 66 years. Five hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported.
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/agona/
Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Newport Infections Associated with Consumption of Unpasteurized Mexican-Style Aged Cheese - Illinois, March 2006-April 2007 - CDC MMWR Weekly - April 25
During March 2006-April 2007, an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections occurred predominantly among Hispanics in northeastern Illinois. Samples from 85 patients, one sample of Mexican-style aged cheese (cotija) from a local Hispanic grocery store, and milk from a bulk tank on a local dairy farm tested positive for S. Newport and had indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. This report summarizes the investigation into S. Newport infections associated with this outbreak. The findings emphasize the need for regulatory authorities to ensure that dairy products, including Mexican-style cheese, are manufactured and distributed by inspected sources and highlight the need for culturally targeted education of consumers and grocery-store operators regarding risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5716a4.htm
Hib Vaccine Shortage
Update from CDC: Hib vaccine shortage - PDF - CDC - April 23
Please follow the links below for recommendations regarding the Hib vaccine Shortage. Please remember that revised Hib recommendations are NOT office-specific - these affect the whole country.
PDF File
Word Document
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
FDA Strengthens Safeguards for Consumers of Beef Issues Regulation on Animal Feeds with Added Safeguards Against BSE - FDA - April 23
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a final regulation barring certain cattle materials from all animal feed, including pet food. The final rule further protects animals and consumers against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "mad cow disease").
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01823.html
Seasonal Influenza
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update - April 25
During week 16 (April 13 – 19, 2008), influenza activity continued to decrease in the United States. One hundred ninety (9.2%) 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 has been above the epidemic threshold for 15 consecutive weeks. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) was below national and region-specific baseline levels. One state reported widespread influenza activity; four states reported regional influenza activity; 14 states reported local influenza activity; 29 states and the District of Columbia reported sporadic influenza activity; one state reported no influenza activity; and one state did not report.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Weekly US Map - April 25
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
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Page last modified April 28, 2008
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