Synopsis for September 17, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Preliminary Medical Examiner Reports of Mortality Associated with Hurricane Charley ― Florida, 2004
2. Rapid Assessment of the Needs and Health Status of Older Adults After Hurricane Charley ― Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee Counties, August 27-31, 2004
3. Rapid Community Health and Needs Assessments After Hurricanes Isabel and Charley ― North Carolina, 2003-2004
4. Transfusion-Associated Transmission of West Nile Virus ― Arizona, 2004
5. Participation in High School Physical Education ― United States, 1991-2003
6. Use of Vitamins Containing Folic Acid Among Women of Childbearing Age ― United States, 2004
7. West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, September 8-14, 2004

Synopsis for September 17, 2004

Preliminary Medical Examiner Reports of Mortality Associated with Hurricane Charley ― Florida, 2004

Advanced hurricane warnings, practiced disaster plans, coordinated evacuations, and well timed public health messages regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical injuries, and trauma from storm related activities are the best ways to reduce mortality associated with hurricanes.

Hurricane Charley was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the state of Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. As of August 31st 31 deaths related to Hurricane Charley had been reported to the Florida Medical Examiner. Most of the Hurricane Charley related deaths were due to the severe wind, rather than the water effects of the storm. Seventeen deaths were due to trauma, 3 to carbon monoxide poisoning, 2 to electrocution, 2 from multiple factors, 1 from suicide, 2 from exacerbation of preexisting pulmonary conditions, and 4 from exacerbation of cardiac conditions. Advanced hurricane warnings, practiced disaster plans, coordinated evacuations, and well timed public health messages regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical injuries, and trauma from storm related activities are the best ways to reduce mortality associated with hurricanes.

Rapid Assessment of the Needs and Health Status of Older Adults After Hurricane Charley ― Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee Counties, August 27-31, 2004

The elderly are a particularly vulnerable population during and following hurricanes because of physical mobility and/or hearing difficulties, and the need for care for pre-existing medical conditions.

This report summarizes the findings and recommendations arising from three rapid needs assessments of the elderly (aged >60 years) in the Florida counties most adversely impacted by Hurricane Charley. These preliminary findings suggested that local health providers and public health agencies should 1) accelerate restoration of medical-care services, including improving access to prescription medications; 2) improve sanitation services (i.e., garbage and storm debris pickup); 3) improve awareness of public health advisories concerning use of bottled water for drinking and cooking until local sources (e.g., well water and public supplies) are determined to be safe; and 4) encourage reconnecting to social networks that offer support during the post-hurricane recovery period.

Rapid Community Health and Needs Assessments
After Hurricanes Isabel and Charley ― North Carolina, 2003-2004

In September of 2003, Hurricane Isabel, a category 2 hurricane, made landfall on the outer banks of North Carolina. The storm, with winds exceeding 100 mph, caused extensive power outages, and structural damage; some 762,000 residents lost power, the shelter population peaked at 16,600 people being displaced and six storm related fatalities were reported.

The NC Division of Public Health (NC DPH) and seven Public Health Regional Surveillance Teams (PHRST) used a population based sampling method to collect information about the impact of the disaster on citizens and the corresponding needs of those citizens. The assessment determined that the majority of public health emergencies resulted from electric power outages, which affected access to food, water and medical care. The sampling data is used to accurately estimate the needs of populations representing as many as 100,000 households or more. The data and corresponding report, usually provided less than 72 hours post-disaster, are used by public health officials and other responders to direct support and resources to enhance recovery operations. NCDPH and CDC provided assessment results to local health departments, emergency operations centers, and NC emergency operations center. Data from the report were used to direct resources, including feeding stations and allocation of bottled water to affected communities. Information about the risks of using portable electrical generators was provided to local health departments.

Transfusion-Associated Transmission of
West Nile Virus ― Arizona, 2004

Although blood screening for West Nile virus (WNV) helps prevent most risk of WNV infection from blood transfusion, a small risk of WNV transfusion-associated transmission exists; to address this risk, changes to the blood screening strategies are planned.

Surveillance of blood products for WNV is very sensitive and has decreased the risk of WNV infection through blood products. Viremic donors with very low concentrations of virus may still cause transfusion-associated WNV infection. Changes to the blood screening process will further decrease risk of infection, but clinicians should remain aware of this method of WNV transmission and inform state health officials of any patients suspected as being infected by WNV through a blood product.

Participation in High School Physical Education ― United States, 1991-2003

Although schools have been recognized as a key setting for increasing student participation in physical activity, particularly through physical education, these data show that student participation in physical education class has not improved during the past 12 years. Coordinated efforts involving schools, communities, and policy makers are needed to provide daily, quality physical education for all youth.

The percentage of high school students attending daily physical education (PE) classes declined significantly from 1991 (42%) to 1995 (25%), then remained stable from 1995 to 2003 (28%), according to data from the CDC’s national Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The percentage of students enrolled in PE (56% in 2003) and the percentage of students physically active more than 20 minutes in PE classes 3 to 5 days per week (39% in 2003) did not change significantly during 1991 to 2003.

Use of Vitamins Containing Folic Acid Among Women of Childbearing Age ― United States, 2004

Regardless of dieting status, women need to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily through supplements, fortified foods, and a folate-rich diet to prevent serious birth defects and ensure optimal nutrition.

The March of Dimes Gallup Poll found that 40 percent of women aged 18–45 reported daily consumption of a vitamin containing folic acid, a substantial increase of eight percentage points from 2003. Periconceptional consumption of folic acid, a B vitamin, reduces the occurrence of 50 percent-70 percent of neural tube defects which are serious birth defects of the spine and brain affecting approximately 3,000 pregnancies each year in the United States. The survey found that 24 percent of women reported dieting in the past six months, almost half of these reported being on low-carbohydrate diets. Regardless of dieting status, women need to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily through supplements, fortified foods, and a folate-rich diet to prevent serious birth defects.

West Nile Virus Activity ― United States,
September 8-14, 2004

No summary available.

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