MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
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Pertussis (i.e., whooping cough) is associated typically with an inspiratory "whoop," prolonged paroxysmal cough, and posttussive vomiting; however, persons infected with Bordetella pertussis sometimes experience atypical symptoms, making prompt recognition difficult and probably increasing infection transmission. All infants aged <6 months and any infants who have not yet received 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine are especially vulnerable to B. pertussis infection. ⋯ Clinicians should consider pertussis as a cause of illness, especially among vulnerable infants who present with cough illness, respiratory distress, or apnea. Timely diagnosis of pertussis in caregivers and other contacts of infants could prevent infant pertussis fatalities.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jun 2002
Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Pakistan and Afghanistan, January 2000-April 2002.
Since 1988, when the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis worldwide, the estimated global incidence of polio has decreased 99%. Pakistan began polio eradication activities in 1994 and Afghanistan in 1997. ⋯ This report summarizes progress toward eradicating polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan during January 2000-April 2002. Both countries aim to stop transmission of poliovirus by the end of 2002; however, the unstable security situation in the region might threaten this success.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jun 2002
Case ReportsUpdate: Cutaneous anthrax in a laboratory worker--Texas, 2002.
On April 5, 2002, CDC reported a case of suspected cutaneous anthrax in a worker at laboratory A who had been processing environmental samples for Bacillus anthracis in support of CDC investigations of the 2001 bioterrorist attacks in the United States. Since the initial report, the worker had serial serology performed at the CDC laboratory. A greater than fourfold rise from baseline in the concentration of immunoglobulin G to protective antigen was demonstrated. ⋯ On the basis of case definitions developed during the recent investigation, these additional findings confirm this as a case of cutaneous anthrax. This case brings the number of anthrax cases identified in the United States since October 3, 2001, to 23, including 11 inhalation and 12 cutaneous (eight confirmed and four suspected). This is the first laboratory-acquired case of anthrax associated with the recent investigation.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Apr 2002
Factors associated with pilot fatalities in work-related aircraft crashes--Alaska, 1990-1999.
Despite its large geographic area, Alaska has only 12,200 miles of public roads, and 90% of the state's communities are not connected to a highway system. Commuter and air-taxi flights are essential for transportation of passengers and delivery of goods, services, and mail to outlying communities (Figure 1). Because of the substantial progress in decreasing fatalities in the fishing and logging industries, aviation crashes are the leading cause of occupational death in Alaska. ⋯ This report summarizes the result of this analysis, which found that the following factors were associated with pilot fatalities: crashes involving a post-crash fire, flights in darkness or weather conditions requiring instrument use, crashes occurring away from an airport, and crashes in which the pilot was not using a shoulder restraint. Additional pilot training, improved fuel systems that are less likely to ignite in crashes, and company policies that discourage flying in poor weather conditions might help decrease pilot fatalities. More detailed analyses of crash data, collaborations with aircraft operators to improve safety, and evaluation of new technologies are needed.
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Apr 2002
Annual smoking-attributable mortality, years of potential life lost, and economic costs--United States, 1995-1999.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and produces substantial health-related economic costs to society. This report presents the annual estimates of the disease impact of smoking in the United States during 1995-1999. ⋯ Results show that during 1995-1999, smoking caused approximately 440,000 premature deaths in the United States annually and approximately $157 billion in annual health-related economic losses. Implementation of comprehensive tobacco-control programs as recommended by CDC could effectively reduce the prevalence, disease impact, and economic costs of smoking.