"The goal is to provide a protocol and practical Toolbox for communicating with stakeholders and the public about water advisories that is based upon research and identified practices. The project focuses on water systems and addresses the range of situations that generate drinking water advisories. This project was a collaborative effort among the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), and National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). A technical workgroup of public health and drinking water agencies and drinking water system experts advised and guided the project. The project also engaged a broad cross-section of relevant stakeholders and technical experts including local government, emergency response, and hazard communication experts." - p. 1 ; About the drinking water advisory communication toolbox -- Section 1: Before an advisory -- Section 2: During an advisory -- Section 3: After an advisory -- Appendix A: Glossary of terms and abbreviations -- Appendix B: Online resources -- Appendix C: Toolbox bibliography ; Date from document properties: 8/4/2011. ; Available via the World Wide Web as an Acrobat .pdf file (4.54 MB, 162 p.).
A significant part of CDC's mission is to provide Americans with the information they need every day to live long, healthy, and happy lives. To that end, the agency has developed the following products and services to help people improve their own health by preventing disease and injury and promoting healthy lifestyles. ; About the CDC -- Services for individuals -- Services for children and adolescents -- Services for health-care providers -- Services for other professionals. -- Services for individuals or organizationsimplementing public health programs -- Other useful sources for CDC information ; "A publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry." ; "CS119501" ; Mode of access: Internet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--CDC--traces its roots to an organization established in the southeastern United States during World War II to prevent malaria among personnel training on U.S. military bases. On July 1, 1996, CDC formally celebrates its 50th anniversary as a federal agency dedicated to ensuring the public's health through close cooperation with state and local health departments and with other organizations committed to improving health in the United States and throughout the world. To commemorate this anniversary, this issue of MMWR presents reports that offer special perspectives: a historical overview of CDC; national morbidity data from June 8, 1946, and June 22, 1996; reprints of articles published in CDC's earlier years--reports about an outbreak of smallpox and an outbreak of pentachlorophenol poisoning in newborn infants; and information resources about CDC. In addition, this issue reports the recent historic decision by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to designate the prevalence of cigarette smoking as a notifiable condition for national public health surveillance. A "latebreaking" report summarizes the investigation of a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora (an emerging pathogen) infection and underscores the continuing need to address new public health threats. Subsequent issues of MMWR this year may include reprints of selected reports of historical interest. ; History of CDC -- Notifiable disease surveillance and notifiable disease statistics--United States, June 1946 and June 1996 -- Addition of prevalence of cigarette smoking as a nationally notifiable condition-- June 1996 -- Smallpox--Stockholm, Sweden, 1963 -- Pentachlorophenol poisoning in newborn infants--St. Louis, Missouri, 1967 -- Outbreaks of Cyclospora cayetanensis Infection--United States, 1996 -- Resources about CDC ; "June 28, 1996."
Surveillance of work-related asthma in selected U.S. states using surveillance guidelines for state health departments : California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993-1995: PROBLEM/CONDITION: Cases of work-related asthma (WRA) are sentinel health events that indicate the need for preventive intervention. WRA includes new-onset asthma caused by workplace exposure to sensitizers or irritants and preexisting asthma exacerbated by workplace exposures. REPORTING PERIOD: This report reviews cases of WRA identified by state health departments from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1995, as well as follow-up investigations of cases and associated workplaces conducted through June 30, 1998. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEMS: State-based surveillance and intervention programs for WRA are conducted in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey as part of the Sentinel Event Notification Systems for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) cooperative agreement program, initiated by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). RESULTS: From 1993 through 1995, a total of 1,101 cases of WRA were identified by SENSOR surveillance staff members in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey. Of these 1,101 cases, 19.1% were classified as work-aggravated asthma, and 80.9% were classified as new-onset asthma. Objective evidence substantiating asthma work-relatedness was documented in the medical records of 3.4% of WRA cases identified in the two states (Michigan and New Jersey) where medical records are routinely reviewed for this information. Indoor air pollutants, dusts, cleaning materials, lubricants (e.g., metalworking fluids), and diisocyanates were among the most frequently reported causes of WRA. In addition, a well-recognized cause of occupational asthma - natural rubber latex - was identified in a new setting, the healthcare industry. The most common industries associated with WRA cases included transportation equipment manufacturing (19.3%), health services (14.2%), and educational services (8.7%). Air sampling for agents known to induce occupational asthma was performed in Michigan for comparison with established federal time-weighted average exposure limits. Sixteen (13.4%) of 119 workplaces tested had airborne concentrations exceeding NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs); 11 (9.1%) of 121 workplaces had concentrations exceeding permissible exposure limits (PELs) of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) program. INTERPRETATION: The surveillance data findings confirm well-recognized causes of asthma and have identified new putative causes (e.g., cleaning materials and metalworking fluids). Because the surveillance program depends on physicians' recognizing asthma work-relatedness and reporting diagnosed cases, the data are considered an underestimate of the magnitude of the WRA problem. The data also indicate that physicians are not commonly performing objective physiologic tests to substantiate a WRA diagnosis. Workplace findings suggest a need to evaluate existing exposure standards for specific agents known to induce occupational asthma (e.g., diisocyanates). Case-based surveillance can help improve the recognition, control, and prevention of WRA. The SENSOR model also provides a mechanism for workers and physicians to request workplace investigations aimed at primary prevention for other workers. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: NIOSH and state health department representatives are working to establish a long-term agenda for state-based surveillance of work-related conditions and hazards. The results from the SENSOR WRA programs described in this report support inclusion of WRA as a priority condition warranting surveillance at the state level ; State laws on tobacco control, United States, 1998: PROBLEM/CONDITION: State laws addressing tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, are summarized. Laws address smoke-free indoor air, minors' access to tobacco products, advertising of tobacco products, and excise taxes on tobacco products. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: Legislation effective through December 31, 1998. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: CDC identified laws addressing tobacco control by using an on-line legal research database. CDC's findings were verified with the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database. RESULTS: Since a previous surveillance summary on state tobacco-control laws published in November 1995 (covering legislation effective through June 30, 1995), several states have enacted new restrictions or strengthened existing legislation that addresses smoke-free indoor air, minors' access to tobacco, tobacco advertising, and tobacco taxes. Five states strengthened their smoke-free indoor air legislation. All states and Washington, D.C., continued to prohibit the sale and distribution of tobacco products to minors; however, 21 states expanded minors' access laws by designating enforcement authorities, adding license suspension or revocation for sale to minors, or requiring signage. Since the 1995 report, eight additional states (a total of 19 states and Washington, D.C.) now ban vending machines from areas accessible to minors. Thirteen states restrict advertising of tobacco products, an increase of four states since the 1995 report. Although the number of states that tax cigarettes and smokeless tobacco did not change, 13 states increased excise taxes on cigarettes, and five states increased excise taxes on smokeless tobacco products. The average state excise tax on cigarettes is 38.9 cents per pack, an increase of 7.4 cents compared with the average tax in the 1995 report. INTERPRETATION: State laws addressing tobacco control vary in relation to restrictiveness, enforcement and penalties, preemptions, and exceptions. ACTIONS TAKEN: The data summarizing state tobacco-control laws are available through CDC's State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System; the laws are collected and updated every quarter. The STATE System also contains state-specific data on the prevalence of tobacco use, tobacco-related deaths, and the costs of tobacco use. Information from the STATE System is available for use by policy makers at the state and local levels to plan and implement initiatives to prevent and reduce tobacco use. In addition, CDC is using this information to assess the ongoing impact of tobacco-control programs and policies on tobacco use. . ; Reports published in CDC Surveillance Summaries since January 1, 1988 -- Surveillance of work-related asthma in selected U.S. states using surveillance guidelines for state health departments : California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993-1995 / Ruth Ann Romero Jajosky, et al. -- State laws on tobacco control, United States, 1998 / Julie A. Fishman, et al. ; June 25, 1999. ; Includes bibliographical references.
The Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI) is a six-year partnership between CDC and leading national organizations representing the populations hardest hit by HIV. CDC first launched AAALI as part of its Act Against AIDS communication campaign in 2009. The initiative initially brought together some of the nation's foremost African American organizations to intensify HIV prevention efforts in black communities. In 2010, CDC expanded AAALI to also include organizations that focus specifically on the Latino community and men who have sex with men (MSM) of all races. HIV takes the greatest toll among African Americans, Latinos and MSM of all races. The rate of new infections among blacks is almost eight times the rate among whites. Among Hispanics, the rate of new HIV infections is three times as high as that among whites. And MSM account for nearly two-thirds of new HIV infections in the United States. AAALI partner organizations were chosen based on their demonstrated national reach, credibility and influence, as well as their ability to effectively reach these impacted communities through their existing communication channels and mobilization activities. The effort brings together a wide range of organizations, including civic, social, civil rights and professional organizations, as well as those in government, education and media. While many AAALI partners have longstanding commitments to fighting HIV in their communities, the initiative provides the critical funding needed to allow each group to make HIV prevention a core component of its day-to-day activities. Each organization uses AAALI funds to support an HIV coordinator who works through the organization's membership networks to disseminate Act Against AIDS campaign materials and HIV prevention services. ; March 2013. ; Available via the World Wide Web as an Acrobat .pdf file (318.33 KB, 2 p.).
Introduction -- Risk Screening -- Screening for behavioral risks -- Screening for clinical risk factors -- Behavioral interventions -- Structural approaches to support and enhance prevention -- Interventions delivered on-site -- Referrals for additional prevention interventions and other services -- Examples of case situations for prevention counseling -- Partner counseling and referral services, including partner notification -- Laws and regulations related to informing partners -- Approaches to notifying partners -- Acknowledgements -- References. ; "July 18, 2003." ; Includes bibliographical references (p. 17-23).
"This plan extends the HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005 (2001 Plan) published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2001. The short-term goal, milestones, and accompanying objectives are based on general and specific recommendations from the CDC and HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHAC), formerly known as the Advisory Committee for HIV and STD Prevention. The HIV Prevention Strategic Plan: Extended Through 2010 ( Extended Plan), which will serve as CDC's strategic guide for HIV prevention through 2010, includes a short-term goal of reducing new HIV infections by 5 percent per year or at least 10 percent by the end of 2010. To achieve this goal, the Extended Plan includes an expanded set of objectives and performance indicators that make priorities more explicit and ensure that key issues are effectively addressed. Twelve new objectives have been added, 20 existing objectives have been modified, and one objective was deleted (42 objectives total, compared to 27 in the 2001 Plan). The Extended Plan also incorporates 17 additional performance indicators (25 total, compared to 11 previously)." p. 2-3 ; Introduction -- Background of the CDC HIV Prevention Strategic Plan, 2001-2005 -- CDC Activities to Implement the 2001-2005 HIV Prevention Strategic Plan -- CHAC Strategic Plan Workgroup -- CDC Response to CHAC Recommendations and Major Considerations of the Plan -- Looking Ahead: The Future of HIV Prevention Strategic Planning at CDC -- Goals and Objectives of the CDC HIV Prevention Strategic Plan: Extended Through 2010 -- HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Performance Indicators -- Appendix 1 : November 2006 CHAC Meeting Minutes -- Appendix 2 : List of CHAC Strategic Plan Workgroup Members -- Appendix 3 - CDC Summary Report of Activities Addressing Plan (submitted to CHAC) -- Appendix 4 : Draft Report from CHAC Strategic Plan Workgroup ; Title from cover. ; "October 2007" ; Also available via the World Wide Web.
"From 1946-1948, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau collaborated with several government agencies in Guatemala on U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded studies involving deliberate exposure of human subjects with bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Guatemalan partners included the Guatemalan Ministry of Health, the National Army of the Revolution, the National Mental Health Hospital, and the Ministry of Justice. Studies were conducted under the on-site direction of John C. Cutler, MD, in Guatemala City, who worked under the supervision of R.C. Arnold, MD, and John F. Mahoney, MD, of the USPHS VDRL in Staten Island, New York. The primary local collaborator was Dr. Juan Funes, chief of the VD control division of the Guatemalan Sanidad Publica. The work by Dr. Cutler and VDRL colleagues was recently brought to light by Professor Susan Reverby of Wellesley College, as a result of archival work conducted as part of the research of her 2009 book on PHS syphilis studies, Examining Tuskegee. Her article on the STD Inoculation studies is scheduled to be published in the Journal of Policy Studies in January 2011 and will be available on her departmental homepage in October 2010 (www.wellesley.edu/WomenSt/fac_reverby.html). Upon learning of Professor Reverby's work, staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a review of materials in the papers of Dr. Cutler, archived at the University of Pittsburgh. These papers included several summary reports, experimental logs, correspondence between Dr. Cutler and professional colleagues, and subject-specific records. The findings from this review are consistent with the observations to be published in Dr. Reverby's paper." - p. [1] ; "29 September 2010." ; Mode of access: Internet from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web site as an Acrobat .pdf file (104.5 KB, 27 p.).
"From 1946-1948, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau collaborated with several government agencies in Guatemala on U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded studies involving deliberate exposure of human subjects with bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Guatemalan partners included the Guatemalan Ministry of Health, the National Army of the Revolution, the National Mental Health Hospital, and the Ministry of Justice. Studies were conducted under the on-site direction of John C. Cutler, MD, in Guatemala City, who worked under the supervision of R.C. Arnold, MD, and John F. Mahoney, MD, of the USPHS VDRL in Staten Island, New York. The primary local collaborator was Dr. Juan Funes, chief of the VD control division of the Guatemalan Sanidad Publica. The work by Dr. Cutler and VDRL colleagues was recently brought to light by Professor Susan Reverby of Wellesley College, as a result of archival work conducted as part of the research of her 2009 book on PHS syphilis studies, Examining Tuskegee. Her article on the STD Inoculation studies is scheduled to be published in the Journal of Policy Studies in January 2011 and will be available on her departmental homepage in October 2010 (www.wellesley.edu/WomenSt/fac_reverby.html). Upon learning of Professor Reverby's work, staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a review of materials in the papers of Dr. Cutler, archived at the University of Pittsburgh. These papers included several summary reports, experimental logs, correspondence between Dr. Cutler and professional colleagues, and subject-specific records. The findings from this review are consistent with the observations to be published in Dr. Reverby's paper." - p. [1] ; Title from cover. ; "30 September 2010." ; Mode of access: Internet from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web site as an Acrobat .pdf file (15.29 KB, 3 p.).
"A new strategic plan for HIV prevention and control is timely and essential in guiding our efforts to more effectively address HIV infection and AIDS at home and abroad. CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005 lays out the blueprint for those actions. CDC looks forward to working in a collegial way with our many partners to protect people's health by enhancing the effect of mutually conducted HIV/AIDS efforts throughout the Nation and the world." - p. 1 ; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services features the full text of the January 2001 report entitled "HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005." The text is available in PDF format. The CDC's goal for HIV prevention is to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the United States from an estimated 40,000 to 20,000 per year by 2005, focusing on eliminating racial and ethic disparities in new HIV infections. ; Title from cover. ; "January 2001." ; Also available through the World Wide Web as an Acrobat .pdf file (402.49 KB, 82 p.) (accessed 2009 Feb. 23).
"The United Nations has proclaimed October 1, 1998, through December 31, 1999, as the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP). Federal agencies are working together to sponsor IYOP activities in the United States. To commemorate the goals of IYOP, CDC has published these surveillance summaries to describe important health issues and to highlight the role of public health surveillance for older adults aged > or =65 years in the United States. Although older adults are the focus of these surveillance summaries, persons aged 55-64 years have also been included, when data were available, as a comparison group." - p. 1 ; Foreward / Jeffrey P. Koplan -- Overview: surveillance for selected public health indicators affecting older adults -- United States / Donald K. Blackman, Laurie A. Kamimoto, Suzanne M. Smith -- Surveillance for morbidity and mortality among older adults -- United States, 1995-1996 / Mayur M. Desai, Ping Zhang, Catherine Hagan Hennessy -- Surveillance for injuries and violence among older adults / Judy A. Stevens, La Mar Hasbrouck, Tonji M. Durant, Ann M. Dellinger, Prabhansu K. Batabyal, Alexander E. Crosby, Balarami R. Valluru, Marcie-jo Kresnow, Janet L. Guerrero -- Surveillance for use of preventive health-care services by older adults, 1995-1997 / Gail R. Janes, Donald K. Blackman, Julie C. Bolen, Laurie A. Kamimoto, Luann Rhodes, Lee S. Caplan, Marion R. Nadel, Scott L. Tomar, James F. Lando, Stacie M. Greby, James A. Singleton, Raymond A. Strikas, Karen G. Wooten, -- Surveillance for five health risks among older adults -- United States, 1993-1997 / Laurie A. Kamimoto, Alyssa N. Easton, Emmanuel Maurice, Corinne G. Husten, Carol A. Macera -- Surveillance for sensory impairment, activity limitation, and health-related quality of life among older adults -- United States, 1993-1997 / Vincent A. Campbell, John E. Crews, David G. Moriarty, Matthew M. Zack, Donald K. Blackman ; Cover title. ; "December 17, 1999." ; Includes bibliographical references.
Surveillance for diabetes mellitus--United States, 1980-1989: "Problem/Condition: In the United States, diabetes mellitus is the most important cause of lower-extremity amputation and end-stage renal disease; the major cause of blindness among working-age adults; a major cause of disability, premature mortality, congenital malformations, perinatal mortality, and health-care costs; and an important risk factor for the development of many other acute and chronic conditions (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis, ischemic heart disease, stroke). Surveillance data describing diabetes and its complications are critical to increasing recognition of the public health burden of diabetes, formulating health-care policy, identifying high-risk groups, developing strategies to reduce the burden of this disease, and evaluating progress in disease prevention and control. Reporting Period Covered: In this report, data are summarized from CDC's diabetes surveillance system; trends in diabetes and its complications are evaluated by age, sex, and race for the years 1980-1989. Description of System: CDC has established an ongoing and evolving surveillance system to analyze and compile periodic, representative data on the disease burden of diabetes and its complications in the United States. Data sources currently include vital statistics, the National Health Interview Survey, the National Hospital Discharge Survey, and Medicare claims data for end-stage renal disease. Results and Interpretation: In 1989, approximately 6.7 million persons in the United States reported that they had diabetes mellitus, and a similar number probably had this disabling chronic disease without being aware of it. The disease burden of diabetes and its complications is large and is likely to increase as the population grows older. Effective primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are needed, and these efforts need to be intensified among groups at highest risk, including blacks. Important gaps exist in periodic and representative data for describing the disease burden. Actions Taken: CDC is assisting diabetes control programs in 26 states and one territory. These programs attempt to reduce the burden of diabetes by preventing blindness, lower-extremity amputations, cardiovascular disease, and adverse outcomes of pregnancy among persons with diabetes. Because of important limitations in measuring the burden of diabetes, CDC is exploring sources of surveillance data for blindness, adverse outcomes of pregnancy, and the public health burden of diabetes among minority groups." - p. 1 ; Laboratory-based surveillance for meningococcal disease in selected areas--United States, 1989-1991: "Problem/Condition: Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and septicemia in the United States. Accurate surveillance for meningococcal disease is required to detect trends in patient characteristics, antibiotic resistance, and serogroup-specific incidence of disease. Reporting Period Covered: January 1989 through December 1991. Description of System: A case of meningococcal disease was defined by the isolation of N. meningitidis from a normally sterile site, such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid, in a resident of a surveillance area. Cases were reported by personnel in each hospital laboratory in the surveillance areas. The surveillance areas consisted of three counties in the San Francisco metropolitan area, eight counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area, four counties in Tennessee, and the entire state of Oklahoma. Results: Age- and race-adjusted projections of the U.S. population suggest that approximately 2,600 cases of meningococcal disease occurred annually in the United States. The case-fatality rate was 12%. Incidence declined from 1.3/100,000 in 1989 to 0.9/100,000 in 1991. Seasonal variation occurred, with the highest attack rates in February and March and the lowest in September. The highest rates of disease were among infants, with 46% of cases affecting those 2 years of age. Actions Taken: Current recommendations against the use of sulfa drugs for treatment or prophylaxis of meningococcal disease unless the organism is known to be sensitive to sulfa should be continued. Since resistance to rifampin is rarely reported, it continues to be the drug of choice for prophylaxis. The development of vaccines effective for infants and vaccines inducing protection against serogroup B would be expected to have a substantial impact on disease." - p. 21 ; Surveillance for diabetes mellitus, United States, 1980-1989 / Linda S. Geiss, William H. Herman, Merilyn G. Goldschmid, Frank DeStefano, Mark S. Eberhardt, Earl S. Ford, Robert R. German, Jeffrey M. Newman, David R. Olson, Stephen J. Sepe, John M. Stevenson, Frank Vinicor, Scott F. Wetterhall, Julie C. Will -- Laboratory-based surveillance for meningococcal disease in selected areas, United States, 1989-1991 / Lisa A. Jackson, Jay D. Wenger, Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases and the Meningococcal Disease Study Group ; "June 4, 1993"--Cover. ; Also available via the World Wide Web. ; Includes bibliographical references (p. 19-20, p. 29-30).
The CDC inspires trust and embodies the scientific knowledge that has been protecting the health of Americans-and people around the world-since 1946. Over the last 60 years, the world class scientists and staff at the CDC have helped people to live safer, healthier, and longer lives. CDC and its partners are proud of their public health accomplishments, including their pioneering work in malaria control, helping to eradicate smallpox from the planet, identifying and reporting the first cases of AIDS, working to reduce tobacco use, obesity, diabetes, and creating the widely respected Epidemic Intelligence Service. CDC has been, and remains, the agency that the nation and the world trust in the face of a public health emergency. From its Atlanta campus to the most remote location imaginable, today's CDC has a complex mission that reflects ever-changing public health needs in the areas of healthy people, healthy places, preparedness, and global health. ; "CDC at 60." ; "CS106412." ; "3/20/07" - date from document properties
"This guide is intended to assist state, local, and tribal public health professionals in the initiation of response activities during the fi rst 24 hours of an emergency or disaster. It should be used in conjunction with existing emergency operations plans, procedures, guidelines, resources, assets, and incident management systems. It is not a substitute for public health emergency preparedness and planning activities. The response to any emergency or disaster must be a coordinated community effort." - p. 1 ; Public health emergency preparedness assumptions - - Public health emergency response functions and tasks during the acute phase - - Ongoing public health emergency response functions and tasks - - Template 1. Documentation of contacts and actions - - Template 2. Health department personnel emergency contact information - - Template 3. State, local and tribal emergency contact information - - Template 4. Leadership assignments - - Template 5. Incident-specific public health preparedness. ; Also available on the internet as an Acrobat .pdf file (200 KB, 65 pages).
Surveillance for emergency events involving hazardous substances--United States, 1990-1992: "Problem/Condition: A review of existing reporting systems indicated that not enough information was being collected to determine the public health consequences of emergency events involving hazardous substances. Reporting Period Covered: January 1990 through December 1992. Description of System: State health departments in selected states collect and each quarter transmit information about the events, substances released, and the public health consequences of hazardous substance releases (i.e., morbidity, mortality, and evacuations) to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Five state health departments (Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin) began data collection on January 1, 1990. On January 1, 1992, the reporting state health departments included those from Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. Results and Interpretation: During 1990-1992, 3,125 events were reported from participating states to ATSDR's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system. Of these events, 2,391 (77%) were fixed-facility events (i.e., occurred at stationary facilities), and 723 (23%) were transportation related. In 88% of events, a single chemical was released. The most frequently released hazardous substances were volatile organic compounds (18% of the total 4,034 substances released), herbicides (15%), acids (14%), and ammonias (11%). In 467 events (15% of all events), 1,446 persons were injured; 11 persons died as a result of these injuries. Respiratory irritation (37%) and eye irritation (23%) were the most frequently reported health effects. A total of 457 (15%) events resulted in evacuations; of these, 400 (88%) were ordered by an official (e.g., a police officer or firefighter" - p. 1 ; Dengue surveillance--United States, 1986-1992: "Problem/Condition: Dengue is an acute, mosquito-transmitted viral disease characterized by fever, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, nausea, and vomiting. The worldwide incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) increased from the mid-1970s through 1992. Although dengue is not endemic to the 50 United States, it presents a risk to U.S. residents who visit dengue-endemic areas. Reporting Period Covered: 1986-1992. Description of System: Dengue surveillance in the 50 United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands relies on provider-initiated reports to state health departments. State health departments then submit clinical information and serum samples to CDC for diagnostic confirmation of disease among U.S. residents who become ill during or after travel to dengue-endemic areas and among residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, an active, laboratory-based surveillance program receives serum specimens from ambulatory and hospitalized patients throughout the island, clinical reports on hospitalized cases, and copies of death certificates that list dengue as a cause of death. Laboratory diagnosis relies on virus isolation or serologic diagnosis of disease (i.e., IgM or IgG antibodies against dengue viruses). Results: In 1986, the first indigenous transmission of dengue in the United States in 6 years occurred in Texas; from the time of that incident through 1992, however, no further endemic transmission was reported. During 1986-1992, CDC processed serum samples from 788 residents of 47 states and the District of Columbia. Among these 788 residents, 157 (20%) cases of dengue were diagnosed serologically or virologically. Of the 157 patients, 71 (45%) had visited Latin America or the Caribbean; 63 (40%), Asia and the Pacific; seven (4%), Africa; and nine (6%), several continents. All four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4) were isolated from travelers to Asia and the Pacific; however, travelers to the Americas acquired infections with only DEN-1, DEN-2, or DEN-4. Even though the number of laboratory-diagnosed dengue infections among travelers was small, severe and fatal disease was documented. In the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, three serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, and DEN-4) circulated during 1986-1992. In Puerto Rico, disease transmission was characterized by a cyclical pattern, with peaks in incidence occurring during months with higher temperatures and humidity (usually from September through November). The highest incidence of laboratory-diagnosed disease (1.2 cases per 1,000 population) occurred among persons < 30 years of age; rates were similar for males and females." - p. 7 ; Surveillance for emergency events involving hazardous substances--United States, 1990-1992 / -- Dengue surveillance--United States, 1986-1992 / JoseÌ? G. Rigau-PeÌ?rez, Duane J. Gubler, A.Vance Vorndam, Gary G. Clark, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases ; "July 22, 1994." ; Also available via the World Wide Web. ; Includes bibliographical references.
