COCA Email Updates: November 21 – December 05, 2011

COCA News and Announcements

Archived COCA Conference Call
Title: Update on Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Personnel: Recent Coverage, Recommendations, Reporting, and Resources

Continuing Education Credits are available.
Date: November 15, 2011
Update on Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Personnel: Recent Coverage, Recommendations, Reporting, and Resources

CDC News and Announcements

Polio Outbreak in China - Dec 5 (CDC)
Cases of polio have been reported in China, the country’s first cases in more than 10 years. All cases were reported in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Genetic sequencing has shown that the poliovirus isolated from these cases most closely resembles wild poliovirus type 1 found in Pakistan during the second half of 2010. As a result of this outbreak, CDC recommends that travelers to all parts of China be up-to-date on the polio vaccine.

Did You Know - Dec 2(CDC)

1.2 million people in the United States have HIV; 1 in 5 don’t know it.
There is new hope for stopping HIV: HIV care and medicines help keep people with HIV healthy and can prevent HIV transmission to others.
We have more proven prevention tools than ever to help stop the spread of HIV; however, continued and intensified efforts are needed

CDC Science Clips - Nov 29
This series features top scientific articles, selected on the basis of potential for population impact and practical implementation.

Return to Top of Page

Public Health Preparedness

Twelve Health and Safety Tips for the Holidays - Dec 5 (CDC)
Pay special attention to your health and be safe this holiday season.

Lead Hazards in Some Holiday Toys - Dec 5 (CDC)
The holiday season is here, and that means many children will be given toys as gifts. While new toys are a holiday tradition, parents should be aware of potential lead hazards associated with toys, including toy jewelry. Review these important facts to keep your children safe this holiday season.

Save Energy and Resources This Holiday Season (CDC)
Make "green" holiday choices when you are shopping, traveling, decorating, sending cards, and choosing gifts. When you save energy and resources, you protect the environment and safeguard health both now and for the future.

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold (FEMA) Preparing your home, family and vehicle for the upcoming winter season.

Emergency Preparedness and Response (CDC)
Find resources for All Hazards and Specific Hazards preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Training Resources Page for Clinicians (CDC)
Find online and in-person training centers and resources.

Return to Top of Page

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Winter weather preparedness means more than just grabbing your coat – Nov 22 (CDC)
The holiday season is fast approaching and so is the winter weather that comes with it. Old Man Winter has already been reeking havoc in the northeast leaving millions without power after “Snowtober.” So, while you’re pulling out your holiday decorations, why not also pull together some basic supplies incase Jack Frost comes knocking on your door.

Winter Weather: Take Steps (CDC)
Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.

Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter (CDC)
Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy. Prepare your home and cars. Keep emergency kits stocked. Be ready for power outages. Wear appropriate clothing. Check on children, the elderly and pets.

Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning After a Disaster (CDC)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning (CDC)
If you don't have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO alarm, now is a great time to buy one. More than 400 people die each year in the US from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning.

Return to Top of Page

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID)

EID is prepared by the CDC. EID Home Page
Volume 17, Number 12—December 2011
Highlights in this issue include

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

MMWR weekly reports and publications are prepared by the CDC. Electronically Subscribe

2011 Online Issues

December 2, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 47 / Pg. 1605 - 1640 Download .pdf document of this issue

November 25, 2011 / Vol. 60 / No. 46 / Pg. 1577 - 1604 Download .pdf document of this issue

Return to Top of Page

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2010 – Nov 28 (CDC)
TB case totals are now at the lowest number recorded since national reporting began in 1953. Yet, even though reported TB cases reached all-time lows in the United States, there are still disproportionately higher rates of TB among racial/ethnic minorities, especially U.S.-born blacks.

Weekly Flu View – Dec 2 (CDC)
During week 47, 6.4% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to pneumonia and influenza. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.1% for week 47.

Influenza vaccination of pregnant women: letter to providers PDF – Dec 5 (CDC)

Dec. 4-10 is National Influenza Vaccination Week – Dec 2 (CDC)
This season's NIVW is scheduled for December 4-10, 2011. Around the country, NIVW events including press briefings, radio interviews featuring CDC flu experts, health fairs, flu clinics and education opportunities are taking place to emphasize the importance of flu vaccination.

National Influenza Vaccination Week: Free NIVW Web Tools – Nov 28 (CDC)
CDC will be supporting organizations across the country in their vaccination efforts during National Influenza Vaccination Week. There are podcasts, ecards and other e-health activities to support this effort. You can help in promoting the ongoing flu vaccine efforts by placing these graphics on your web pages.

Flu Vaccines Have Good Safety Records – Nov 28 (CDC)
Influenza (flu) vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Scientific studies and ongoing monitoring continue to show that flu vaccines are safe for use and offer the best defense modern medicine currently has at its disposal to protect against the flu and its serious complications.

National Influenza Vaccination Week: Materials – Nov 23 (CDC)

Fight flu at work and at home (Nurses/Health Care Workers)PDF – Nov 23 (CDC)

AAP/CDC Collaboration: Question and Answer (Q & A) "Prevention and Control of Influenza: Considerations for Newborns and Very Young Infants – American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a Q & A to address 5 common questions regarding prevention and control of influenza in newborns and very young infants. The questions were posed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Work Group on Intrapartum and Newborn Issues. Specific topics addressed include the dosing of antiviral medication for term and preterm infants, the efficacy, effectiveness, and adverse effects data on antiviral medication use in term and preterm infants, rapid influenza diagnostic testing, data on newborns whose mothers receive influenza vaccines prior to delivery, and care of infants exposed to influenza in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The Q & A can be viewed at: http://www.aap.org/disasters/pdf/Special-Considerations-to-Treat-and-Prevent-Flu-in-Newborns_FINAL.pdf. If you have any questions, please e-mail Hope Hurley at hhurley@aap.org.

Return to Top of Page

Travel Safety

Cholera in the Dominican Republic – Dec 5 (CDC)

Return to Top of Page

Food, Drug and Device Safety

Prevent the Spread of Norovirus – Dec 5 (CDC)
Noroviruses spread easily, causing more than 20 million gastroenteritis cases each year in the U.S. There's no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and no drug to treat it. Wash your hands often and follow simple tips to stay virus-free.

FoodSafety.gov Reports FDA and USDA Food Recalls, Alerts, Reporting & Resources – Dec 3 (HHS/UDSA/FDA/CDC/NIH)
For recalls and alerts by both FDA and USDA, or to report a problem or make inquiries, visit FoodSafety.gov.

Return to Top of Page

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.

Return to Top of Page