CDC influenza surveillance report no. 61, December 19, 1961

"Scattered outbreaks of Influenza A2 (Asian) and Influenza B have been observed during 1961 in a number of countries throughout the world. Confirmed outbreaks of Asian influenza were reported from every continent except Antarctica. Influenza B was less ubiquitous, touching only Europe, North America and Asia with recognized outbreaks. Within the continental United States, Asian influenza made its mark early in 1961. At that time, outbreaks were reported from New York City, Stamford and New Haven, Connecticut. It was not prevalent elsewhere. No confirmed outbreaks of Asian influenza have been reported during the present season. In contrast, Influenza B is known to be etiologic in outbreaks in four States at the present time. These are Arizona, Florida, California and Colorado. Southern, Saskatchewan is also involved in an epidemic of Influenza B. Respiratory disease outbreaks are occurring with increasing frequency in the United States with the advent of the winter season. Several States are reporting outbreaks that would appear to be significantly more widespread than usual. These States are Oregon, Missouri, and Illinois. Epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory studies are under way.Influenza vaccine production has been stepped up to meet the demands. The projected supply will be three times greater than that available last year. The recommendation of the Surgeon General to immunize the high risk groups remains most pertinent. Subcutaneous inoculation is the route of choice." - p. 3I. Summary of information -- II. Epidemic reports: (A.) Asian in\ufb02uenza; (B.) In\ufb02uenza B outbreaks-through October 1961 -- III. In\ufb02uenza vaccine: (A.) Production; (B.) Utilization; (C.) Route of inoculation -- IV. Minor antigenic change -- V. Weekly pneumonia and influenza deathsDecember 19, 1961.This report was prepared in the Surveillance Section, Communicable Disease Center by Theodore C. Eickhoff, M. D., Chief, Influenza Surveillance Unit, with the Assistance of the Statistics Section, Robert E. Serfling, Ph.D., Chief."For administrative use." - cover"Information contained in this report is a summary of data reported to CDC by State Health Departments, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, collaborating influenza diagnostic laboratories, and other pertinent sources. Much if it is preliminary in nature and is primarily in nature and is primarily intended for those involved in influenza control activities. It is understood that the contents of these report will not be released to the press, except by the Office of the Surgeon General, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. State Health Officers, of course, will judge the advisability of releasing any information from their own state." - cove

CDC influenza surveillance report no. 59, February 10, 1961

"In the three-week interval since the publication of the last CDC Influenza Surveillance Report, No. 58 January 16, 1961, no outbreaks of influenza or unusual concentrations of cases of influenza-like disease have been reported to this unit. There has been no evidence of influenza activity in the continental United States thus far during the present season. Analysis of current deaths due to influenza and pneumonia received from 108 cities in the United States reveals that the number of deaths through the week ending February 4, 1961, are within the expected limits of normal for the season. Reports received during the past three weeks indicate that the epidemic of influenza in Great Britain, confirmed as due to type A2 influenza virus, is continuing to spread. The epidemic of influenza reported from Japan, centering around metropolitan Tokyo, is likewise continuing, and has been confirmed as due to influenza type B. An epidemic characteristic of influenza, but not yet laboratory confirmed, has been reported from Samoa." - p. 2I. Summary of information-- II. Current status of influenza in the United States-- III. Current analysis of influenza and pneumonia mortality-- IV. International notesFebruray 10, 1961This report was prepared in the Surveillance Section, Communicable Disease Center by Theodore C. Eickhoff, M. D., Chief, Influenza Surveillance Unit, with the Assistance of the Statistics Section, Robert E. Serfling, Ph.D., Chief."For administrative use." - cover"Information contained in this report is a summary of data reported to CDC by State Health Departments, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, collaborating influenza diagnostic laboratories, and other pertinent sources. Much if it is preliminary in nature and is primarily in nature and is primarily intended for those involved in influenza control activities. It is understood that the contents of these report will not be released to the press, except by the Office of the Surgeon General, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. State Health Officers, of course, will judge the advisability of releasing any information from their own state." - cove

CDC influenza surveillance report no. 58, January 16, 1961

"In the 9-month interval since the publication of the last CDC Influenza Surveillance Report, No. 57, April 13, 1960, the occurrence of influenza in the United States has been markedly limited in both distribution and frequency. Sporadic reports of laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A, occurring during the summer and fall months of 1960, have come to the attention of the Influenza Surveillance Unity. No outbreaks for influenza of unusual concentrations or cases of influenza-like disease have been reported to this unit thus far during the present season. Analysis of current deaths due to influenza and pneumonia received from 108 cities in the United States reveals that the number of deaths are entirely within the expected limits of normal for the season in the United States as a whole as well as in each of the 9 geographic regions. During the past 9 months scattered reports have been received of influenza occurring in Central and South America, and Europe. A recent report indicates that laboratory-confirmed type A2 influenza is currently epidemic in England. During the fall months the Public Health Service carried out an influenza immunization program encouraging the routine use of influenza vaccine among specific high risk-groups, the aged, the chronically ill, and pregnant women, in order to reduce the extent of excess influenza-associated mortality." - p. 2I. Summary of information-- II. Current status of influenza in the United States-- III. Current analysis of influenza and pneumonia mortality-- IV. International notes -- V. In\ufb02uenza immunizationJanuary 16, 1961This report was prepared in the Surveillance Section, Communicable Disease Center by Theodore C. Eickhoff, M. D., Chief, Influenza Surveillance Unit, with the Assistance of the Statistics Section, Robert E. Serfling, Ph.D., Chief."For administrative use." - cover"Information contained in this report is a summary of data reported to CDC by State Health Departments, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, collaborating influenza diagnostic laboratories, and other pertinent sources. Much if it is preliminary in nature and is primarily in nature and is primarily intended for those involved in influenza control activities. It is understood that the contents of these report will not be released to the press, except by the Office of the Surgeon General, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. State Health Officers, of course, will judge the advisability of releasing any information from their own state." - cove

Promoting reproductive options for HIV-affected couples in sub-Saharan Africa

HIV-affected couples have unique challenges that require access to information and reproductive services which prevent HIV transmission to the uninfected partner and offspring while allowing couples to fulfill their reproductive goals. In high HIV prevalent regions of sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-affected couples require multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) to enhance their reproductive healthcare options beyond contraception and prevention of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to include assistance in childbearing. The unique characteristics of the condom and its accepted use in conjunction with safer conception interventions allow HIV-serodiscordant couples an opportunity to maintain reproductive health, prevent HIV/STI transmission, and achieve their reproductive goals while timing conception. Rethinking the traditional view of the condom and incorporating a broader reproductive health perspective of HIV-affected couples into MPT methodologies will impact demand, acceptability, and uptake of these future technologies

Optimal Baseline Prostate-Specific Antigen Level to Distinguish Risk of Prostate Cancer in Healthy Men Between 40 and 69 Years of Age

The present study evaluated optimal baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at different ages in order to determine the risk of developing prostate cancer (CaP). We analyzed 6,651 Korean men, aged 40-69 yr. The serum PSA levels for these men were measured at one institute from 2000 to 2004 and were determined to be between 0-4 ng/mL. Patients were divided into 4 groups of 25th-percentile intervals, based on initial PSA level. Of these, the group with an increased risk was selected, and the optimal value was determined by the maximal area under a receiver-operating characteristic curve within the selected group. The risk of CaP diagnosis was evaluated by Cox regression. The mean follow-up period was 8.3 yr. CaP was detected in 27 of the 6,651 subjects. CaP detection rate was increased according to age. The optimal PSA value to distinguish the risk of CaP was 2.0 ng/mL for 50- to 69-yr-olds. Patients with a baseline PSA level greater than the optimal value had a 27.78 fold increase in the prostate cancer risk. Baseline PSA values are useful for determining the risk of developing CaP in Korean men for 50- and 69-yr-old. We suggest that PSA testing intervals be modified based on their baseline PSA levels

Epidemiology of nasopharyngeal carriage of respiratory bacterial pathogens in children and adults: cross-sectional surveys in a population with high rates of pneumococcal disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To determine the prevalence of carriage of respiratory bacterial pathogens, and the risk factors for and serotype distribution of pneumococcal carriage in an Australian Aboriginal population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Surveys of nasopharyngeal carriage of <it>Streptococcus pneumoniae</it>, non-typeable <it>Haemophilus influenzae</it>, and <it>Moraxella catarrhalis </it>were conducted among adults (≥16 years) and children (2 to 15 years) in four rural communities in 2002 and 2004. Infant seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7PCV) with booster 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was introduced in 2001. Standard microbiological methods were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the time of the 2002 survey, 94% of eligible children had received catch-up pneumococcal vaccination. 324 adults (538 examinations) and 218 children (350 examinations) were enrolled. Pneumococcal carriage prevalence was 26% (95% CI, 22-30) among adults and 67% (95% CI, 62-72) among children. Carriage of non-typeable <it>H. influenzae </it>among adults and children was 23% (95% CI, 19-27) and 57% (95% CI, 52-63) respectively and for <it>M. catarrhalis</it>, 17% (95% CI, 14-21) and 74% (95% CI, 69-78) respectively. Adult pneumococcal carriage was associated with increasing age (p = 0.0005 test of trend), concurrent carriage of non-typeable <it>H. influenzae </it>(Odds ratio [OR] 6.74; 95% CI, 4.06-11.2) or <it>M. catarrhalis </it>(OR 3.27; 95% CI, 1.97-5.45), male sex (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.31-3.73), rhinorrhoea (OR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05-2.64), and frequent exposure to outside fires (OR 6.89; 95% CI, 1.87-25.4). Among children, pneumococcal carriage was associated with decreasing age (p < 0.0001 test of trend), and carriage of non-typeable <it>H. influenzae </it>(OR 9.34; 95% CI, 4.71-18.5) or <it>M. catarrhalis </it>(OR 2.67; 95% CI, 1.34-5.33). Excluding an outbreak of serotype 1 in children, the percentages of serotypes included in 7, 10, and 13PCV were 23%, 23%, and 29% (adults) and 22%, 24%, and 40% (2-15 years). Dominance of serotype 16F, and persistent 19F and 6B carriage three years after initiation of 7PCV is noteworthy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Population-based carriage of <it>S. pneumoniae</it>, non-typeable <it>H. influenzae</it>, and <it>M. catarrhalis </it>was high in this Australian Aboriginal population. Reducing smoke exposure may reduce pneumococcal carriage. The indirect effects of 10 or 13PCV, above those of 7PCV, among adults in this population may be limited.</p

A randomised controlled trial of a physical activity and nutrition program targeting middle-aged adults at risk of metabolic syndrome in a disadvantaged rural community

Background: Approximately 70% of Australian adults aged over 50 are overweight or obese, with the prevalence significantly higher in regional/remote areas compared to cities. This study aims to determine if a low-cost, accessible lifestyle program targeting insufficiently active adults aged 50-69 y can be successfully implemented in a rural location, and whether its implementation will contribute to the reduction/prevention of metabolic syndrome, or other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.Methods/Design: This 6-month randomised controlled trial will consist of a nutrition, physical activity, and healthy weight intervention for 50–69 year-olds from a disadvantaged rural community. Five hundred participants with central obesity and at risk of metabolic syndrome will be recruited from Albany and surrounding areas in Western Australia (within a 50 kilometre radius of the town). They will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 250) or wait-listed control group (n = 250). The theoretical concepts in the study utilise the Self-Determination Theory, complemented by Motivational Interviewing. The intervention will include a custom-designed booklet and interactive website that provides information, and encourages physical activity and nutrition goal setting, and healthy weight management. The booklet and website will be supplemented by an exercise chart, calendar, newsletters, resistance bands, accelerometers, and phone and email contact from program staff. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention.Discussion: This study aims to contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome and inter- related chronic illnesses: type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers; which are associated with overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. This large rural community-based trial will provide guidelines for recruitment, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and has the potential to translate findings into practice by expanding the program to other regional areas in Australia. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry [ACTRN12614000512628, registration date 14th May 2014]

Barriers to asymptomatic screening and other STD services for adolescents and young adults: focus group discussions

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major public health problem among young people and can lead to the spread of HIV. Previous studies have primarily addressed barriers to STD care for symptomatic patients. The purpose of our study was to identify perceptions about existing barriers to and ideal services for STDs, especially asymptomatic screening, among young people in a southeastern community. METHODS: Eight focus group discussions including 53 White, African American, and Latino youth (age 14–24) were conducted. RESULTS: Perceived barriers to care included lack of knowledge of STDs and available services, cost, shame associated with seeking services, long clinic waiting times, discrimination, and urethral specimen collection methods. Perceived features of ideal STD services included locations close to familiar places, extended hours, and urine-based screening. Television was perceived as the most effective route of disseminating STD information. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is warranted to evaluate improving convenience, efficiency, and privacy of existing services; adding urine-based screening and new services closer to neighborhoods; and using mass media to disseminate STD information as strategies to increase STD screening