Synopsis for August 20, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. HIV Transmission Among Black College Student and Non-Student Men Who Have Sex With Men — North Carolina, 2003
2. Tuberculosis Transmission in Multiple Correctional Facilities — Kansas, 2002-2003
3. Possible Dialysis-Related West Nile Virus Transmission — Georgia, 2003
4. Illness Associated with Drift of Chloropicrin Soil Fumigant into a Residential Area — Kern County, California, 2003
5. West Nile Virus Activity — United States, August 11-17, 2004

Synopsis for August 20, 2004

HIV Transmission Among Black College Student and Non-Student Men Who Have Sex With Men — North Carolina, 2003

Previously reported data, published today, shows that high-risk sexual behavior is frequent in young black MSM -- regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in college.

In May 2003, after identifying 49 new HIV cases among black MSM, the North Carolina Department of Health and CDC conducted an in-depth study of HIV-infected college students, uninfected college students, and uninfected non-students to assess differences that might contribute to HIV risk. Of the 53 black MSM who completed the survey, reported risk behavior was frequent for all three groups. Forty percent of HIV-infected college students reported unprotected anal intercourse with a casual sexual partner in the past year, compared to 33 percent of uninfected college students and 25 percent of uninfected non-students. Despite this risk behavior, only two participants felt they were likely to contract HIV. The majority of study participants reported meeting partners at gay night clubs and/or online. Researchers noted that innovative HIV and STD prevention programs targeting young black MSM, both in colleges and in the community, are urgently needed.

Tuberculosis Transmission in Multiple Correctional Facilities — Kansas, 2002-2003

Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease. It is important to control tuberculosis in correctional facilities in order to keep inmates, correctional employees, and surrounding community members safe.

A recently published report in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report illustrates the need for all correctional facilities, no matter how small, to have a plan to control tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease. It is important to control tuberculosis in correctional facilities in order to keep inmates and correctional employees safe. It may also lead to transmission of tuberculosis in surrounding communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published guidelines that can assist correctional facilities in creating a tuberculosis infection control plan.

Possible Dialysis-Related West Nile Virus Transmission — Georgia, 2003

Dialysis centers should adhere to strict infection control procedures and be aware of the possibility of WNV transmission.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health investigated a possible transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV) through dialysis at a dialysis center. Two dialysis patients residing in the same neighborhood had confirmed human WNV disease. Both patients were dialyzed on the same day and on the same dialysis machine. A third patient was dialyzed between the two confirmed cases of WNV disease and that patient’s blood tests indicated WNV infection at some time in the past. The results of the investigation indicate that WNV may have been transmitted at the dialysis center but do not prove that this occurred. There were no obvious deficiencies in infection control procedures at the dialysis center, but to provide optimal protection against transmission of bloodborne pathogens, dialysis centers should carefully adhere to strict infection control procedures.

Illness Associated with Drift of Chloropicrin Soil Fumigant into a Residential Area — Kern County, California, 2003

Fumigants that drift from their intended target to residential areas can produce acute health effects among exposed residents. Measures can be taken to reduce the health risks from offsite drift of fumigants.

On October 3-4, 2003, a total of 165 persons became ill after chloropicrin drifted from a field where it was applied to a residential area in Kern County, California. Chloropicrin is the fourth most commonly used fumigant in California. Exposure to chloropicrin causes eye and respiratory tract irritation. This incident underscores the health risks associated with fumigants, the need to implement adequate containment measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, and the usefulness of procedures recently adopted in California to ensure both prompt identification of the nature and magnitude of exposure events, and timely information dissemination to residents, applicators, responders, and other sectors of the affected public.

West Nile Virus Activity — United States, August 11-17, 2004

No summary available.

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