MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Sep 2003
Transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses in outpatient settings--New York, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, 2000-2002.
Transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can occur in health-care settings from percutaneous or mucosal exposures to blood or other body fluids from an infected patient or health-care worker. This report summarizes the investigation of four outbreaks of HBV and HCV infections that occurred in outpatient health-care settings. The investigation of each outbreak suggested that unsafe injection practices, primarily reuse of syringes and needles or contamination of multiple-dose medication vials, led to patient-to-patient transmission. To prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, all health-care workers should adhere to recommended standard precautions and fundamental infection-control principles, including safe injection practices and appropriate aseptic techniques.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Sep 2003
Case ReportsWound botulism among black tar heroin users--Washington, 2003.
During August 22-26, 2003, four injection-drug users (IDUs) in Yakima County, Washington, sought medical care at the same hospital with complaints of several days of weakness, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. All four were regular, nonintravenous injectors of black tar heroin (BTH), and one also snorted BTH. This report summarizes the investigation of these cases, which implicated wound botulism (WB) as the cause of illness.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Sep 2003
Injuries associated with landmines and unexploded ordnance--Afghanistan, 1997-2002.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a substantial public health risk. Approximately 60-70 million landmines are scattered in approximately 70 countries, and an estimated 24,000 persons, mostly civilians, are killed or injured annually by landmines and UXO. In Afghanistan, approximately 5-7 million landmines are scattered throughout the country. ⋯ This report presents analyses of surveillance data on landmine- and UXO-related injuries in Afghanistan during January 1997-September 2002, which indicate that the proportion of victims injured by UXO increased during this time, compared with the proportion injured by landmines. The majority (61%) of adult victims were injured by landmines, and the majority (66%) of children and adolescents were injured by UXO. Mine-risk education programs should focus on UXO hazards for children and on landmine hazards for adults and should address age-specific risk behaviors.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Aug 2003
Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, January 2002-June 2003.
Since the World Health Assembly resolved in 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis worldwide, the estimated global incidence of polio has decreased by 99%. Implementation of polio eradication activities in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began in 1996. Angola and DRC are characterized by large geographic areas, dense urban populations, recent civil conflict, and a history of polio outbreaks. This report summarizes progress made toward polio eradication during January 2002-June 2003 and highlights the remaining challenges in Angola and DRC.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jul 2003
Case ReportsHomemade chemical bomb events and resulting injuries--selected states, January 1996-March 2003.
Homemade chemical bombs (HCBs), also known as acid bombs, bottle bombs, and MacGyver bombs, are explosive devices that can be made easily from volatile household chemicals (e.g., toilet bowl, drain, and driveway cleaners) purchased at a local hardware or grocery store. When these and other ingredients are combined and shaken in a capped container, the internal gas pressure generated from the chemical reaction causes the container to expand and explode. ⋯ Since 1996, some of the states participating in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)'s Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system have been documenting HCB events. This report describes examples of HCB events, summarizes all reported HCB events, discusses associated injuries, and suggests injury-prevention methods.