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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Synopsis for May 5, 2000
MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. E.S.T. Thursdays.
- Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults with Arthritis — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- Morbidity and Mortality Related to Hurricane Floyd — North Carolina, September–October, 1999
- Surveillance for Possible Estuary-Associated Syndrome — Six States, 1998–1999
- Update: Influenza Activity — United States and Worldwide, 1999–2000 Season, and Composition of the 2000–2001
Influenza Vaccine
Synopsis for May 5, 2000
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults with Arthritis — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States.
PRESS CONTACT:
Fatima Mili, M.D., Ph.D.
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488–5319 |
Because arthritis and other rheumatic conditions seldom cause death but have a significant impact on health, health-related quality of life
(HRQOL) measures are a better indicator of their impact than related mortality rates. This report examines data from 11 states that participated
in the 1996-1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an ongoing state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey. Findings
indicate that persons with arthritis have substantially worse HRQOL than persons without arthritis, regardless of sex, age, or education level.
Among adults with arthritis, women, younger persons, and persons with less than a college education had the most unhealthy days. States and
local health agencies can use data from the BRFSS and HRQOL measures to guide efforts in reaching the Healthy People 2010 goal — increasing
the quality and years of healthy life for persons with arthritis.
Morbidity and Mortality Related to Hurricane Floyd — North Carolina, September–October, 1999
During or after natural disaster involving flooding, people should not drive through moving water on
roads.
PRESS CONTACT:
Karen Becker, D.V.M., M.P.H.
CDC, Epidemic Intelligence Service
(919) 715–7397
(North Carolina) |
One September 16, 1999, Hurricane Floyd made landfall in North Carolina. The amount of rain brought
by this category 2 storm — combined with rains received from Hurricane Dennis 2 weeks earlier, and Hurricane Irene 1 month after Floyd —
caused extensive flooding affecting an estimated 2.1 million people in eastern North Carolina. Of the 52 deaths, drowning was the major cause
associated with this disaster; most of these deaths occurred because people drove their vehicles into moving water. Surveillance of injuries and
illnesses collected from emergency room medical logs showed increases in thoughts of suicide, dog bites, febrile illness, basic medical needs,
skin irritations, insect bites, diarrhea, violence-related trauma, and asthma. The development of surveillance systems is critical for effective
disaster response and to prepare for future events.
Surveillance for Possible Estuary-Associated Syndrome — Six States, 1998–1999
It has not been possible to establish an association between human illness and Pfiesteria
piscicida with certainty because a Pp toxin has not been identified.
PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Sue Niskar, R.N., M.P.H.
CDC, National Center for Environmental Health
(404) 639–2530 |
Pfiesteria piscicida (Pp) is an alga that has been associated with fish kills in estuaries
(where fresh water mixes with salty seawater) along the eastern seaboard, and possibly with human health effects. Since June 1, 1998,
surveillance for possible estuary associated syndrome (PEAS), including possible Pp-related human illness, has been conducted in Delaware,
Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. This report summarizes surveillance for PEAS during June 1, 1998 - December 31,
1999, which indicated no PEAS. PEAS is not infectious and has not been associated with eating fish or shellfish caught in waters where Pp has
been found. However, persons should avoid areas with large numbers of diseased, dying, or dead fish and should promptly report those areas to
the state’s environmental or natural resource agency.
Update: Influenza Activity — United States and Worldwide, 1999–2000 Season, and Composition of
the 2000–2001 Influenza Vaccine
The 2000-2001 influenza season will be the first season for which annual flu vaccination is
recommended for all persons 50 years of age and older.
PRESS CONTACT:
Timothy Uyeki, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P.
CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 639–3747 |
Influenza activity in the U.S. was similar to the past two seasons although mortality measurements
attributed to pneumonia and influenza were unusually high. Overall, this season’s flu vaccine was well-matched to circulating influenza
viruses. The 2000-2001 influenza season will be the first season for which annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons 50 years
of age and older. Persons at high-risk for complications of flu, who will be traveling this summer in large tour groups, should consult
their physician about the advisability of receiving flu vaccine and antiviral medication against influenza. This is important if the group
includes travelers from areas of the world where influenza is circulating, or if travel will be to the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics.
Physicians evaluating such persons with respiratory illness should consider influenza in the diagnosis.
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