Synopsis for June 15, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Malaria in Multiple Family Members - Chicago, Illinois, 2006
2. Influenza Activity - United States and Worldwide, 2005-06
   Season, and Composition of the 2006-07 Influenza Vaccine
3. Increasing Prevalence of Risk Factors for Chronic Disease -
   Jordan, 2004
   
   

Malaria in Multiple Family Members - Chicago, Illinois, 2006

Travelers to malaria-risk countries should take precautions against malaria, a potentially fatal disease, by taking anti-malaria pills
(chemoprophylaxis) and avoiding mosquito bites. These precautions should be taken by all travelers, including travelers originally from malaria-risk countries who return to their countries of origin to visit friends and relatives. More information on malaria precautions can be found at the CDC Travelers' Health Web site and the CDC Malaria Web site.

A family of U.S. residents originally from Nigeria went back to Nigeria, a malaria risk country, to visit friends and relatives without taking anti-malaria pills (chemoprophylaxis). After returning to the United States, all the five children who had traveled came down with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, a potentially fatal disease. All five required hospitalization, three of them in the intensive care unit. Travelers to malaria-risk countries should take precautions against malaria by taking anti-malaria pills (chemoprophylaxis) and avoiding mosquito bites. This is particularly important for U.S. travelers originally from malaria-risk countries who return to their countries of origin to visit friends and relatives.

Influenza Activity - United States and Worldwide, 2005-06 Season, and Composition of the 2006-07 Influenza Vaccine

Influenza activity in the United States peaked during early March, but influenza viruses continue to circulate at low levels. The 2006-07 influenza vaccine composition will be based on recently isolated influenza viruses, epidemiologic data and post-vaccination studies.

Influenza activity has been mild in the United States this season overall. The influenza season peaked in early March, but influenza viruses continue to circulate at low levels in the United States.

Overall, influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated, but influenza B viruses were isolated more frequently than influenza A viruses during late April through May. The majority of the influenza A viruses isolated matched the two A viruses found in this year's influenza vaccine. As a supplement to influenza vaccination, antiviral drugs have aided in the control and prevention of influenza. In January 2006, CDC recommended against the use of antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine because of the emergence of a high level of resistance among circulating influenza A (H3N2) viruses to the drugs. The high level of resistance to the drugs by influenza A (H3N2) viruses continued to be observed among specimens tested through May 2006.

Increasing Prevalence of Risk Factors for Chronic Disease - Jordan, 2004

The reported prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as obesity and diabetes in Jordan indicates the need for immediate development and implementation of a national chronic disease prevention and control plan.

Chronic disease risk factors such as obesity are increasing in Jordan based on the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey conducted by the Jordan Ministry of Health with assistance from CDC and the World Health Organization. Based on the findings of the 2004 survey, the Jordanian cabinet allocated $2.9 million dollars for chronic disease prevention and control.

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