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MMWR
Synopsis for March 1, 2002

The MMWR is embargoed until NOON, ET.

  1. Rashes Among Schoolchildren — 14 States, October 4, 2001–February 27, 2002
  2. Congenital Malaria As a Result of Plasmodium malariae — North Carolina, 2000
  3. Health-Related Quality of Life — Puerto Rico, 1996-2000


Rashes Among Schoolchildren — 14 States, October 4, 2001–February 27, 2002

To date, reports from states do not document a common cause or demonstrate that all children are experiencing the same rash.

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639–3286

 
CDC is working with state and local health and education agencies in these investigations to determine if affected children within and between schools have developed rash as a result of a common etiology. Fourteen states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia) have reported investigations of multiple schoolchildren who have developed rashes. This report summarizes the investigation by state and local health departments of these rashes, which have occurred during October 2001 through February 2002, and provides examples for four states. Preliminary findings indicate that further investigation is needed to determine whether a common etiology for these rashes exists.

 

Congenital Malaria As a Result of Plasmodium malariae — North Carolina, 2000

Congenital malaria is rare but does occur in the United States.

PRESS CONTACT:
Pia MacDonald, PhD, MPH

CDC, Epidemiology Program Office
(919) 733–3419 (North Carolina)
 
U.S. health-care providers should be alert to the diagnosis of malaria in ill neonates and young infants, particularly those with fever. The absence of recent foreign travel or a long interval between immigration of the mother and the birth of the infant being examined should not dissuade clinicians from obtaining blood films on the patient to rule out malaria. Obtaining a complete and accurate travel and residency history on the patient and close relatives is essential to making the diagnosis.

 

Health-Related Quality of Life — Puerto Rico, 1996-2000

Public health interventions for at-risk groups in Puerto Rico might also help increase the quality and years of healthy life and eliminate health disparities.

PRESS CONTACT:
Rosemarie Kobau, M.P.H.

CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488–5464
 
This study examined health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a representative sample of Spanish-speaking adults in Puerto Rico (PR) during 1996-2000. Older women, those with less education or lower income, those unable to work, or those who are overweight, have diabetes, or have high blood pressure reported more unhealthy days. Public health interventions designed to reach these vulnerable groups might help adults in PR to increase their quality and years of healthy life and eliminate health disparities -- the national goals of Healthy People 2010.

 


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This page last reviewed March 1, 2002
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