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Travelers to the Dominican Republic should take chloroquine prophylaxis not only when visiting rural areas of the country (as previously recommended) but also when visiting any area (including resort and urban areas) of La Altagracia and Duarte Provinces. Because P. falciparum malaria can be rapidly fatal, travelers and clinicians need to be aware of malaria risk areas so that travelers can take appropriate preventive measures, and, in case of febrile illness, obtain timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
| PRESS CONTACT: Sarah Reagan, MPH Office of Communications CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases (BMD) (404) 639-3286 |
In November 2004, CDC received reports of two cases of laboratory confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria in American travelers returning from a resort area in La Altagracia Province and from urban areas in Duarte Province. An additional 14 cases of malaria were reported in European and Canadian travelers who had visited resorts in La Altagracia Province. Urban and resort areas in the Dominican Republic had been considered non-malarious, and prophylactic medication had not been recommended for people traveling to these areas. These cases led to expansion of CDC recommendations for travelers to the Dominican Republic, who should take the drug chloroquine to prevent malaria when visiting rural areas of the country (as previously recommended) but also when visiting any area of La Altagracia and Duarte Provinces.
Recommended vaccines for U.S. children and adolescents have not changed since April 2004.
| PRESS CONTACT: Office of Communications CDC, Division of Media Relations (404) 639-3286 |
A schedule for use of vaccines to prevent disease among U.S. children and adolescents during 2005 has been endorsed and jointly released by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Rat-bite fever is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by infection with the bacteria Streptobacillus moniliformis, which is commonly found in the respiratory tract and excrement of rats. People who have contact with rats should take steps to protect themselves.
| PRESS CONTACT: Jamie Eliades, M.D., M.P.H. Office of Communications CDC, National Center for Infectious Disease (DPD) (404) 639-3286 |
In 2003, two rapidly fatal cases of rat-bite fever occurred in Florida and Washington. These cases demonstrate that infection with the bacteria Streptobacillus moniliformis can result in severe disease and death in previously healthy adults. A person can become infected by a bite or scratch from an infected rat, handling of an infected rat, or ingestion of food or water contaminated with infected rat excrement. To prevent infection with S. moniliformis, people should wear gloves, practice regular hand washing, and avoid hand-to-mouth contact when handling rats or cleaning rat cages. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of rat-bite fever can help prevent the development of severe disease.
Clinicians and public health officials should be aware that pet hamsters might be a potential source of tularemia.
| PRESS CONTACT: Dayna Ferguson, MD Office of Work Force Development CDC, Media Relations at the Colorado State Health Department (303) 692-2013 |
In April 2004, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) investigated a case involving a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with tularemia resulting from a hamster bite. Tularemia is rare and can be difficult to diagnose. No cases of tularemia have previously been associated with pet hamsters in the United States. Tularemia is potentially serious illness that occurs naturally in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals, particularly among rodents, rabbits, and hares. Symptoms of tularemia could include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough and progressive weakness. Clinicians should have a heightened awareness of tularemia.
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| Privacy Policy | Contact Us This page last reviewed January 7, 2005 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
