Synopsis for October 1, 1999

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.

1. Outbreak of West Nile-Like Viral Encephalitis—New York, 1999
2. Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies

Synopsis for October 1, 1999

Outbreak of West Nile-Like Viral Encephalitis—New York, 1999

An outbreak of arboviral encephalitis was first recognized in New York City in late August and has since been identified in neighboring counties in New York state.

 

PRESS CONTACT: John Signor New York State Department of Health (518) 474-7354 or Division of Media Relations CDC, Office of Communication (404) 639-3286

Although initially attributed to St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus based on positive serologic findings in cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples, the cause of the outbreak has been confirmed as a West Nile-like virus based on the identification of virus in human, avian, and mosquito samples. Officials from the New York State Health Department and local health departments and CDC emphasize that mosquito control efforts conducted for St. Louis encephalitis by individuals and communities have been appropriate because the same mosquito species likely transmits West Nile-like virus. As of September 28, 1999, a total of 17 confirmed and 20 probable human cases, and four deaths have been reported from New York City (25 cases) and the surrounding counties of Westchester (eight) and Nassau (four). The four deaths occurred among persons > 68 years of age.

Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies

Since the turn of the century, substantial progress has been made in improving the health of all mothers and infants in the United States.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Solomon Iyasu, M.D. CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (770) 488-5187

The U.S. maternal mortality and infant mortality have declined approximately 99% and 90% respectively. Reasons for the declines are multiple and include improvements in the environment ( sanitation, safe water), better nutrition, advances in medicine, improved access to health care, increasing education levels, and improved general standards of living. Despite these improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates, the U.S. rates remain higher than those of many other developed countries; and unacceptable disparities between race and ethnic groups remain. The elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in these health indicators will be a major challenge for the United States in the 21^st century.

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