Synopsis for January 23, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST

1. Strength Training Among Adults Aged > 65 Years ― United States, 2001
2. Measles Mortality Reduction — West Africa, 1996–2002
3. Measles Outbreak Associated with an Imported Case in an Infant— Alabama, 2002
4. Human Death Associated with Bat Rabies — California, 2003
5. Update: Influenza Activity — United States, January 11–17, 2004

Synopsis for January 23, 2004

Strength Training Among Adults Aged > 65 Years ― United States, 2001

Few older adults aged 65 are engaging in sufficient levels of strength training.

Adults are encouraged to engage in strength training, also referred to as resistance training, on two or more days per week. The analysis of data from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey showed that 11% of adults aged 65 and older engaged in strength training two or more days per week. Individuals who did not engage in strength training on two or more days per week were more likely to be women, less educated, obese, physically inactive and reported themselves as in fair or poor health. Adults aged 65 and older are not getting enough strength training and findings from this report suggest the need to create more opportunities for strength training.

Measles Mortality Reduction — West Africa, 1996–2002

Summary not available.

Measles Outbreak Associated with an Imported Case in an Infant— Alabama, 2002

Physicians should include measles in differential diagnoses for fever rash illnesses in infants who have recently returned from traveling abroad.

Doctors need to consider measles in children with fever and rash who recently returned from abroad, and hospitals should ensure the immunity of their staff to measles. In 2002, a nine month old Alabama infant who had just returned from the Philippines caused an outbreak of measles. All 10 of his daycare classmates came down with measles. The initial case was hospitalized but not diagnosed as having measles. None of his classmates had been immunized for measles because they were less than 15 months old. Two adults, including one know non-immune health care worker, also got measles.

Human Death Associated with Bat Rabies — California, 2003

Rabies is an acute, progressive, and fatal disease.

The only documented survivors have received rabies prophylaxis before the onset of illness. Human rabies is rare in the United States due to domestic animal rabies control and well-developed public health measures. On September 14, 2003, a previously healthy 66-year-old man who resided in Trinity County, California, died from rabies about 6 weeks after being bitten by a bat. Medical professionals need to reemphasize to the public that if direct contact with bats has occurred, exposed persons should immediately 1) thoroughly disinfect and wash the wound, 2) capture the animal safely for diagnostic submission, 3) contact the local Department of Health, and 4) see a physician for evaluation about the need for post-exposure prophylaxis.

Update: Influenza Activity — United States, January 11–17, 2004

Summary not available.

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