COCA Email Updates: August 13 - August 27, 2012
If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov
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Available for download: August 27, 2012 COCA Email Update 
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COCA News and Announcements
Upcoming COCA Call/Webinar:
NEW: West Nile Virus: Information and Guidance for Clinicians
Date/Time: Thursday, August 30, 2012; 2:00-3:00 PM (EDT)
Call Number: 888-603-7038
Passcode: COCA
Conference Number: PW2279966
Join By Webinar
Join this call and interact with a CDC subject matter expert, and learn about the epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical features, appropriate use of diagnostics, and treatment and prevention options for West
Recent COCA Call/Webinar:
Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction
Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Join this call and interact with a CDC subject matter expert and learn about the importance of disaster risk reduction for reducing adverse health effects of disasters and how application of the basic tenets of preventive medicine and public health can result in a more humane and cost-effective approach to emergency management.
Methadone for Pain Management: The Clinician’s Role in Reducing the Risk for Overdose
Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Earn FREE CE’s, review recorded call materials, and hear subject matter experts review the epidemiology of methadone overdoses in the United States and discuss guidelines for appropriate opioid prescribing.
Additional archived COCA Conference Calls
Free CE credit/contact hours (CME, CNE, ACPE, CEU, CECH, and AAVSB/RACE) are available for most COCA calls.
CDC News and Announcements
Twitter Chat: Outbreak! On the Frontline of Disease Detection – August 27 (CDC)
CDC Director Dr. Frieden will host a live Twitter chat with CDC disease detectives on investigating outbreaks on Wednesday, August 29 at 1:00 PM EDT. CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is an elite group of medical detectives trained to fly anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice to investigate outbreaks of pneumonia, Ebola, mysterious rashes, known diseases and yet-to-be determined maladies. Follow Dr. Frieden on Twitter and join the conversation.
Did You Know?
“Did You Know?” is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to highlight prevention activities. The series features research and program activity from CDC. Please access, use, and share this information broadly with your colleagues and partners.
CDC Science Clips: Volume 4, Issue 33 – August 20 (CDC)
Each week, to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge, selected science clips will be posted for the public health community. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.
Public Health Preparedness
NEW: Public Health Matters Blog: The Hidden Dangers of Getting Inked – August 22 (CDC)
In January of 2012, the Monroe County Department of Public Health received a report from a dermatologist that a patient had developed a persistent rash on his arm after being tattooed by a local tattoo artist. Biopsy and culture confirmed that the patient was suffering from a non-tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) infection, and after being notified of the situation in New York, CDC issued a public health alert to try to identify additional tattoo-associated NTM skin infections.
Emergency Preparedness and Response (CDC)
Find resources for All Hazards and Specific Hazards preparedness.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Training Resources for Clinicians (CDC)
Find online and in-person training centers and resources at
Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
Hurricane Readiness – (CDC)
If you live in coastal areas at risk, CDC encourages you to begin preparing yourself for hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 each year.
Prevent and Treat Other Illnesses and Injuries After a Hurricane or Flood – (CDC)
Resources for clinicians related to hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery.
Hurricane Information for Health Care Professionals – (CDC)
Resources for clinicians related to hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery.
Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters – (CDC)
Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal
EID is prepared by the CDC. EID Home Page
Volume 18, Number 9 – September 2012
Highlights in this issue include:
- Hepatitis E, a Vaccine-Preventable Cause of Maternal Deaths
- Effectiveness and Timing of Vaccination during School Measles Outbreak
- Evaluation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Suspected Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Infection, 2009–2010
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
MMWR publications are prepared by the CDC. To electronically subscribe, go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html.
August 24, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 33 Download .pdf document of this issue
- Vaccination Coverage Among Children in Kindergarten — United States, 2011–12 School Year
- Tattoo-Associated Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Skin Infections — Multiple States, 2011–2012
August 17, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 32 Download .pdf document of this issue
- Fatal Foodborne Clostridium perfringens Illness at a State Psychiatric Hospital — Louisiana, 2010
- Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — United States, 2012–13 Influenza Season
- Evaluation of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests for Influenza A (H3N2)v Virus and Updated Case Count — United States, 2012
Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Influenza
Weekly Flu View – August 18 (CDC)
This is a weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by CDC Influenza Division. All data are preliminary and may change as CDC receives more reports.
NEW: Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus Outbreaks – August 24 (CDC)
Today, 52 additional cases of H3N2v are being reported, bringing the total number of such infections since July 2012 in the United States to 276 across 10 states. Investigations into H3N2v cases indicate that the main risk factor for infection is exposure to pigs, mostly in fair settings; however, CDC also is reporting three instances of likely human-to-human spread of this virus during the current outbreaks.
Interim Information for Clinicians about Human Infections with H3N2v Virus – (CDC)
From July 12 through August 9, 2012, a total of 153 infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) viruses have been reported in four states (Hawaii [1], Illinois [1], Indiana [120], and Ohio [31]). So far during the current outbreaks, two persons have been hospitalized as a result of their illness; no deaths have occurred. CDC is monitoring the situation closely with state health departments and will issue updates accordingly as additional information is available.
NEW: FDA Approves Vaccines for the 2012-2013 Influenza Season – August 13 (FDA)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved the 2012-2013 influenza (flu) vaccine formulation for all six manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute the vaccines in the United States.
Vector-Borne
West Nile Virus: Information and Guidance for Clinicians (CDC)
Resources for clinicians related to West Nile Virus epidemiology, clinical description, treatment, and prevention.
CDC Fact Sheet – West Nile Virus (WNV) Infection: Information for Clinicians (CDC)
WNV is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. This fact sheet contains important information that can help you recognize and prevent WNV.
NEW: Press Briefing Transcript for CDC Telebriefing on West Nile Virus Update – August 22 (CDC)
CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services hosted a telebriefing to discuss the West Nile Virus, including our surveillance, our numbers, and put in context this very important outbreak investigation and our response to it.
Update: West Nile Virus (WNV) Human Infections Reported to ArboNET, by State, United States, 2012 – August 21 (CDC)
Public Health Matters Blog: West Nile Virus: Recent Surge in Cases Sparks Concern in Texas – August 16 (CDC)
West Nile virus season is off to an early start this year, which doesn’t bode well for what’s to come. Most West Nile virus exposures in the United States occur from July through October, with a peak during the first two weeks of August. The virus has been appearing in many parts of the country, but almost half of the cases are in Texas and the numbers are rising.
Travel Safety
Current Travel Warnings – August 27 (US Department of State)
Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.
Update: Ebola in Uganda – August 21 (CDC)
The Ugandan Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the Kibaale District of western Uganda. As of August 9, 2012, there have been 10 laboratory-confirmed cases, 13 probable cases, and 16 deaths.
Food, Drug and Device Safety
NEW: Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Cantaloupe – August 23 (CDC)
A total of 178 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 21 states. Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that cantaloupe originating from Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. of Owensville, Indiana is a likely source of this outbreak.
MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program – (HHS/USFDA)
Your FDA gateway for clinically important safety information and reporting serious problems with human medical products.
FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – August 27 (HHS/UDSA/FDA/CDC/NIH)
For recalls and alerts by both FDA and USDA, or to report a problem or make inquiries.
The CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.
- Page last updated August 28, 2012
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