Synopsis for October 22, 1999

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

1. Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries
2. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- Nepal, 1996-1999
3. Update: West Nile-Like Viral Encephalitis -- New York, 1999

Synopsis for October 22, 1999

Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries

Community water fluoridation is a public health success story that has benefitted most Americans.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Willliam Maas, D.D.S., M.P.H. CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (770) 488-6056

At the beginning of the 20^th century, dental decay was rampant in the United States and the most common treatment was tooth extraction. Through a series of community observations by Frederick McKay, H. Trendley Dean and other dental health pioneers, a relationship between drinking fluoridated water and fewer cavities was established. Adjustment of the fluoride level in the community water supplies of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Newburgh, New York, Evanston, Illinois and Brantford, Ontario demonstrated the direct connection between drinking fluoridated water and fewer cavities. This prompted rapid adoption of water fluoridation as a public health measure in cities throughout the United States. The result was a sharp decline of 40%- 70% in dental cavities among children during the second half of the 20^th century. Fluoridation safely and inexpensively benefits children and adults by effectively preventing tooth decay.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- Nepal, 1996-1999

Polio eradication is progressing rapidly in Nepal, but further efforts and continued vigilance are needed to ensure that the country meets the year 2000 eradication target.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Steven McLaughlin, D.V.M., M.P.H. & T.M. CDC, Epidemic Intelligence Service (803) 898-0691 (South Carolina)

Surveillance for polio in Nepal has improved rapidly in the last 12 months; from one of the weakest programs in the South East Asia Region in July, 1998, to one of the strongest. Surveillance for children with symptoms of polio in Nepal is important, because the largest reservoir for polio virus in the world is just across the border in India. In 1998, 85% of the world's polio virus was found in paralyzed children from India. Almost half, 45%, of the world's polio virus came from the two Indian states which span Nepal's long Southern border. The Nepal-Indian border is open and people can cross without a passport or VISA.. Residents from border communities with low vaccination coverage frequently migrate in both directions. Because of these border issues, coordination of National Immunization Days and house-to-house polio vaccination campaigns between India and Nepal will be critical to the success of polio eradication efforts.

Update: West Nile-Like Viral Encephalitis -- New York, 1999

The West Nile-Like Viral (WNLV) encephalitis outbreak continues to wane with the onset of cooler temperatures and continued vector-control operations.

 

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

This report updates the progress of the ongoing investigation. As of October 19, 56 (31 confirmed and 25 probable) domestic acquired cases of WNLV have been identified, including seven deaths. The date of onset of the latest two cases (one case in Nassau County and one in Westchester County) was September 22. A Canadian citizen who had visited the New York City (NYC) area in late August had onset of fatal encephalitis on September 5, which was confirmed as laboratory- positive for WNLV by CDC. The known geographic distribution of infected dead birds is in counties surrounding the southwest end of Long Island Sound. Active surveillance for human encephalitis cases in Connecticut and New Jersey has not detected any WNLV cases.

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