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MMWR
Synopsis for April 13, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

  1. Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food – 10 States, United States, 2005
  2. Multisite Outbreak of Norovirus Associated with a Franchise Restaurant – Kent County,  Michigan, May 2005
  3. Survey of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Diagnosis and Testing – Connecticut, 2005
  4. Botulism from Home-Preserved Bamboo Shoots – Nan Porvince, Tailand, March 2006
  5. Fusarium Keratitis – Multiple States, 2006
  6. Exposure to Mumps During Air Travel – United States, March 26-April 1, 2006
There is no MMWR telebriefing scheduled for April 14, 2006

Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food – 10 States, United States, 2005

PRESS CONTACT:
CDC
Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

 

Although important declines in foodborne infections have occurred in FoodNet surveillance, additional efforts are needed to sustain and extend these declines to improve prevention of infections caused by Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens. 

Foodborne illnesses present a substantial health burden in the United States. FoodNet conducts active surveillance for laboratory-confirmed illnesses caused by enteric pathogens transmitted commonly through food. This report describes preliminary surveillance data for 2005 and compares them with baseline data from 1996–1998. The 2005 data indicate declines in the incidence of infections caused by Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, and Yersinia. However, most of those declines occurred before 2005 and are now reaching a plateau; Vibrio infections have not declined. Additionally, although the overall incidence of infections caused by Salmonella has decreased, of the five most common Salmonella serotypes, only Typhimurium has declined, with most of the decline occurring by 2001. These findings indicate that further efforts are needed to sustain and extend these declines and to improve prevention of foodborne illness. 

Multisite Outbreak of Norovirus Associated with a Franchise Restaurant – Kent County,  Michigan, May 2005

PRESS CONTACT:
Kent County Health Department, Michigan
Amy Morris
Community Relations Coordinator
 616-632-7110
616-680-5354 (pager)

 

To prevent norovirus, food service workers should be educated on norovirus transmission and control. 

This investigation led to the discovery that an asymptomatic food worker spread norovirus to at least 100 people at multiple sites throughout Kent County, Michigan. To prevent norovirus outbreaks, food service workers should be educated regarding norovirus transmission and control. In 2005, new guidelines for state health departments regarding norovirus containment were published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); guidelines for local health departments in Michigan were issued by the state’s Department of Community Health and Department of Agriculture. The new guidelines for Michigan recommend that food service workers with suspected norovirus not return to work until they are asymptomatic for 48–72 hours. Additionally, the Michigan guidelines offer recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of norovirus, advising the concentration of bleach required for cleaning porous and nonporous surfaces.

Survey of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Diagnosis and Testing – Connecticut, 2005 

PRESS CONTACT:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Lynn Sosa, MD
James Hadler, MD
(860) 509-7995

 

Clinicians should be aware of how LCMV infection manifests in susceptible populations, including immunocompromised persons, and conduct testing whenever LCMV infection is possible and there is potential rodent exposure.  LCMV is a rodent-borne virus that can cause serious central nervous system infection in otherwise well people, congenital birth defects in fetuses exposed in utero and life-threatening disease in immunocompromised persons such as organ transplant recipients.  Since pet rodents or mouse infestations are the most common sources of exposure to LCMV, recognition of a single case and elimination of the source can prevent wider outbreaks.  Clinicians need to be knowledgeable about risk factors for infection and sensitive to how LCMV infection manifests.  In the absence of regular testing for LCMV in the pet industry, human surveillance should be considered as an alternative means of monitoring for LCMV disease in both human and pet rodent populations. 

Botulism from Home-Preserved Bamboo Shoots – Nan Province, Thailand, March 2006

PRESS CONTACT:
CDC
Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

 

Botulism is a severe form of food poisoning and this outbreak highlights the need for continued education, inspection and quality assurance to prevent illness from improperly prepared foods.

 In March 2006, a large outbreak of botulism occurred in Northern Thailand.  Home-canned bamboo shoots were implicated as the contaminated food source.  Rapid investigation and good international communication and collaboration were critical to the quick investigation and response, and to the delivery of life-saving anti-toxin.  To date, no patients have died.

Fusarium Keratitis – Multiple States, 2006

No Summary Available

Exposure to Mumps during Air Travel – United States, March 26-April 1, 2006

No Summary Available

 

 


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This page last reviewed April 13, 2006
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/mmwrnews/n0600413.htm

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