Last data update: Apr 29, 2024. (Total: 46658 publications since 2009)
Records 1-18 (of 18 Records) |
Query Trace: Hancock WT[original query] |
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Patient characteristics during early transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Palau, January 13-February 24, 2022
Eilers B , Adelbai-Fraser MD , Collado JR , Van Dyke M , Firestone M , Guinn AS , Dillon MT , Brostrom R , Kinzer MH , Muñoz N , Okumura K , Brown V , Ademokun O , Udui R , Uherbelau GJ , Hancock WT . Emerg Infect Dis 2023 29 (9) 1939-1941 Palau had no reported evidence of COVID-19 community spread until January 2022. We chart reviewed hospitalized patients who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during early community transmission. Booster vaccinations and early outpatient treatment decreased hospitalizations. Inadequate hospital infection control practices contributed to iatrogenic COVID-19 and preventable deaths. |
COVID-19 in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands: A timeline of events and lessons learned from March 2020-November 2022
Cash McGinley HL , Hancock WT , Kern-Allely S , Jenssen M , Chutaro E , Camacho J , Judicpa P , Okumura K , Muñoz N , Ademokun OM , Brostrom R . PLOS Glob Public Health 2023 3 (8) e0002052 The US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) experience many health disparities, including high rates of non-communicable disease and limited health resources, making them particularly vulnerable when SARS-CoV-2 began circulating globally in early 2020. Therefore, many USAPIs closed their borders early during the COVID-19 pandemic to give them more time to prepare for community transmission. Routine virtual meetings were established and maintained throughout the pandemic to support preparedness and response efforts and to share information among USAPIs and support partners. Data collected from these regular virtual meetings were gathered and disseminated through routine regional situational reports. These situational reports from March 27, 2020 to November 25, 2022 were reviewed to develop a quantitative dataset with qualitative notes that were used to summarize the COVID-19 response in the USAPIs. The initial surges of COVID-19 in the USAPIs ranged from August 2020 in Guam to August 2022 in the Federated States of Micronesia. This prolonged time between initial surges in the region was due to varying approaches regarding travel requirements, including fully closed borders, repatriation efforts requiring pre-travel quarantine and testing, quarantine requirements upon arrival only, and vaccine mandates. Delaying community transmission allowed USAPIs to establish testing capacity, immunize large proportions of their populations, and use novel COVID-19 therapeutics to reduce severe disease and mortality. Other essential components to support the USAPI regional COVID-19 response efforts included strong partnership and collaboration, regional information sharing and communication efforts, and trust in health leadership among community members. Valuable lessons learned from the USAPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to continue to strengthen systems within the region and better prepare for future public health emergencies. |
Emergence of influenza B/Victoria in the Micronesian US-affiliated Pacific Islands, spring 2019
O'Connor S , Hancock WT , Ada E , Anzures E , Baza C , Aguon AL , Cruz D , Johnson E , Mallari AJ , McCready JA , Niedenthal J , Pobutsky A , Santos AM , Santos JV , Sasamoto J , Tomokane P , Villagomez W , White P . Western Pac Surveill Response J 2021 12 (4) 1-9 Data collected through routine syndromic surveillance for influenza-like illness in the Micronesian United States-affiliated Pacific Islands highlighted out-of-season influenza outbreaks in the spring of 2019. This report describes the data collected through the World Health Organization's Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Compared with historical data, more cases of influenza-like illness were observed in all four islands described here, with the highest number reported in Guam in week 9, CNMI and FSM in week 15, and RMI in week 19. The outbreaks predominantly affected those aged < 20 years, with evidence from CNMI and RMI suggesting higher attack rates among those who were unvaccinated. Cases confirmed by laboratory testing suggested that influenza B was predominant, with 83% (99/120) of subtyped specimens classified as influenza B/Victoria during January-May 2019. These outbreaks occurred after the usual influenza season and were consistent with transmission patterns in Eastern Asia rather than those in Oceania or the United States of America, the areas typically associated with the United States-affiliated Pacific Islands due to their geographical proximity to Oceania and political affiliation with the United States of America. A plausible epidemiological route of introduction may be the high levels of international tourism from Eastern Asian countries recorded during these periods of increased influenza B/Victoria circulation. This report demonstrates the value of year-round surveillance for communicable diseases and underscores the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination, particularly among younger age groups. |
Innovations to maximise impact of a data for decision-making training programme in the Federated States of Micronesia
Durand AM , Hancock WT , Cash HL , Rouse I , Chutaro E , Taulung L , Patel M . BMJ Glob Health 2021 6 (10) Accurate and timely health information is an essential foundation for strengthening health systems. Data for decision making (DDM) is a training curriculum designed to enhance capacity of health department staff to capture and use high-quality data to address priority health issues. In 2013, the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network adapted and piloted the DDM curriculum as an 'at work, from work, for work' field epidemiology training programme component for low-income and middle-income Pacific Island jurisdictions. Based on lessons learned from the pilot, we made several innovations, including delivery on-site at each district (rather than bringing trainees to a central location), conducting pre-DDM consultations and ongoing contact with health leaders across the programme, taking more care in selecting trainees and enrolling a larger cohort of students from within each health department. The decentralised programme was delivered in-country at four sites (both at national and state levels) in the Federated States of Micronesia. Following delivery, we performed an external evaluation of the programme to assess student outcomes, benefits to the health department and general programme effectiveness. Of the 48 trainees who completed all four classroom modules, 40 trainees participated in the evaluation. Thirty-two of these trainees completed the programme's capstone field project. Eighteen of these projects directly contributed to changes in legislation, revised programme budgets, changes in programme strategy to augment outreach and to target disease and risk factor 'hot spots'. |
Notes from the field: First evidence of locally acquired dengue since 1944 - Guam, 2019
Kern-Allely S , Pobutsky A , Hancock WT . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (13) 387-388 On September 9, 2019, a resident of Guam with no travel history experienced a dengue-like illness that was reported to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). On September 10, 2019, the Guam Public Health Laboratory (PHL) detected dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) in the patient’s serum specimen by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This was the first detection of a locally acquired dengue case on Guam since 1944 (1). On September 11, Guam DPHSS initiated enhanced surveillance for suspected dengue cases and distributed a health alert to all health care providers with instructions for receiving dengue testing at the Guam PHL. On September 13, the Government of Guam declared a state of emergency to assist Guam DPHSS (2). Primary emergency response efforts included visits to homes within a 656-ft (200-m) radius of the primary residence of persons with confirmed locally acquired cases to provide educational materials, conduct case finding, implement mosquito source reduction, set traps for mosquito surveillance, and apply pesticides at homes of consenting residents. Public education efforts included billboards, pamphlets, and educational sessions held in schools and other community areas at risk. Updates on the clinical management of dengue using guidelines from CDC* and the World Health Organization (3) were delivered to all hospitals, medical societies, and most outpatient clinics. |
Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing on Filter Paper-Dried Serum for Laboratory-Based Dengue Surveillance-American Samoa, 2018.
Curren EJ , Tufa AJ , Hancock WT , Biggerstaff BJ , Vaifanua-Leo JS , Montalbo CA , Sharp TM , Fischer M , Hills SL , Gould CV . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 102 (3) 622-624 Laboratory-based surveillance for arboviral diseases is challenging in resource-limited settings. We evaluated the use of filter paper-dried sera for detection of dengue virus (DENV) RNA during an outbreak in American Samoa. Matched liquid and filter paper-dried sera were collected from patients with suspected dengue and shipped to a reference laboratory for diagnostic testing. RNA was extracted from each sample and tested for DENV RNA by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 18 RT-PCR-positive liquid specimens, 14 matched filter paper-dried specimens were positive for a sensitivity of 78% (95% CI, 55-91%). Of 82 RT-PCR-negative liquid specimens, all filter paper-dried specimens were negative for a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 96-100%). Shipping of filter paper-dried specimens was similarly timely but less expensive than shipping liquid sera. Using filter paper-dried serum or blood can be a cost-effective and sustainable approach to surveillance of dengue and other arboviral diseases in resource-limited settings. |
Impact of program transfer from a non-governmental organization to a district health office: Evaluation of a program integrating water treatment and hygiene kits into reproductive health and HIV services, Machinga District, Malawi, 2010-2012
Fagerli K , Routh J , Hancock WT , Hoots B , Gunda A , Deng L , Tippett Barr B , Kamb M , Quick R . PLoS One 2019 14 (7) e0219984 BACKGROUND: In September 2009, the Machinga Integrated Antenatal Water Hygiene Kit Program began addressing problems of unsafe water, high infant mortality, and low antenatal care (ANC) attendance in Machinga District, Malawi. In March 2011, the supporting international non-governmental organization transitioned management of the program to the Machinga District Health Office (DHO). We evaluated maternal and HIV service use before and after program transition to the DHO. METHODS: We compared pre- and post-transition periods by examining data recorded in ANC and maternal registries in 15 healthcare facilities (HCFs) by proportion z-tests. We classified HCFs by size, using the median monthly patient volumes as the split for large or small facilities. We used logistic regression to evaluate changes in the use of ANC, maternal, and HIV services and their interactions with HCF size. RESULTS: The percentage of women attending their first ANC visit during the first trimester was similar in the pre-and post-transition periods (9.3% vs 10.2%). Although the percentage of women with >/=4 ANC visits was similar from pre- to post-transition (26.0% vs 24.8%), the odds increased among women in small facilities (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24-1.51), and decreased among women in large facilities (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75-0.85). Although a similar percentages of pregnant women were diagnosed with HIV in all HCFs in the pre- and post-transitions periods (6.4% vs 4.8%), a substantially larger proportion of women were not tested for HIV in large HCFs (OR: 6.34, 95% CI: 5.88-6.84). A larger proportion of women gave birth at both small (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16-1.45) and large HCFs (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.43-1.67) in the post-transition vs. the pre-transition period. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation results suggest that many positive aspects of this donor-supported program continued following transition of program management from a non-governmental organization to a DHO. |
Notes From The Field: Mumps outbreak in a recently vaccinated population - Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, August-December, 2017
McKay SL , Kambui A , Taulung LA , Tippins A , Eckert M , Wharton AK , McNall RJ , Hickman C , Hancock WT , Apaisam C , Judicpa P , Patel M , Routh J . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 68 (4) 95-96 On August 6, 2017, the Kosrae Department of Health Services (KDHS) in the Federated States of Micronesia identified a confirmed case of mumps in a Kosrae resident who had 2 documented doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The patient aged 18 years had recently traveled to Seattle, Washington, which was experiencing a mumps outbreak among members of its Pacific Islander population. Other Pacific Islands were concurrently experiencing large mumps outbreaks (1,2), in some places exceeding 500 cases, raising concern about the possibility of a similar outbreak in Kosrae. By October 6, KDHS had identified 17 cases (nine laboratory confirmed and eight suspected [clinically diagnosed as parotitis]) on the island (population 6,600) (Figure), with an attack rate of 14 cases per 1,000 residents in the primary affected municipality. At the request of KDHS, CDC deployed a team on October 17 to assist KDHS in investigation and control activities. The KDHS-CDC team conducted active surveillance to assess outbreak magnitude, interviewed mumps patients, collected specimens for laboratory testing, and reviewed patients’ vaccination records. KDHS conducted islandwide awareness campaigns about the outbreak and mumps prevention measures, and highlighted the importance of vaccination. |
Outbreak of dengue virus type 2 - American Samoa, November 2016-October 2018
Cotter CJ , Tufa AJ , Johnson S , Matai'a M , Sciulli R , Ryff KR , Hancock WT , Whelen C , Sharp TM , Anesi MS . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 67 (47) 1319-1322 The U.S. territory of American Samoa has experienced recent outbreaks of illnesses caused by viruses transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. In November 2016, a traveler from the Solomon Islands tested positive for infection with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). Additional dengue cases were identified in the subsequent weeks through passive and active surveillance. Suspected dengue cases were tested locally with a dengue rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). Specimens from RDT-positive cases and patients meeting the dengue case definition were tested by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) at Hawaii State Laboratories. During November 2016-October 2018, a total of 3,240 patients were tested for evidence of DENV infection (118 by RDT-NS1 alone, 1,089 by real-time RT-PCR alone, and 2,033 by both methods), 1,081 (33.4%) of whom tested positive for dengue (19.5 per 1,000 population). All 941 real-time RT-PCR-positive specimens were positive for DENV-2. The monthly number of laboratory-confirmed cases peaked at 120 during December 2017. Among laboratory-confirmed dengue cases, 380 (35.2%) patients were hospitalized; one patient, who was transferred to American Samoa for care late in his illness, died. The public health response to this outbreak included disposal of solid waste to remove mosquito breeding sites, indoor residual spraying of pesticides in schools, reinforcement of dengue patient management education, and public education on mosquito avoidance and seeking medical care for symptoms of dengue. |
Ability to serologically confirm recent Zika virus infection in areas with varying past incidence of dengue virus infection in the United States and U.S. territories in 2016
Lindsey NP , Staples JE , Powell K , Rabe IB , Fischer M , Powers AM , Kosoy OI , Mossel EC , Munoz-Jordan JL , Beltran M , Hancock WT , Toews KE , Ellis EM , Ellis BR , Panella AJ , Basile AJ , Calvert AE , Laven J , Goodman CH , Gould CV , Martin SW , Thomas JD , Villanueva J , Mataia ML , Sciulli R , Gose R , Whelen AC , Hills SL . J Clin Microbiol 2017 56 (1) Background. Cross-reactivity within flavivirus antibody assays, produced by shared epitopes in the envelope proteins, can complicate serological diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKAV) infection. We assessed the utility of the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) to confirm recent ZIKAV infections and rule out misleading positive IgM results in areas with varying past dengue virus (DENV) infection incidence. Methods. We reviewed PRNT results of sera collected for diagnosis of ZIKAV infection from January 1 through August 31, 2016 with positive ZIKAV IgM results and ZIKAV and DENV PRNT performed. PRNT result interpretations included ZIKAV, unspecified flavivirus, DENV infection, or negative. For this analysis, ZIKAV IgM was considered false-positive for samples interpreted as DENV infection or negative. Results. In US states, 208 (27%) of 759 IgM positives were confirmed as ZIKAV, compared to 11 (21%) of 52 in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), 15 (15%) of 103 in American Samoa, and 13 (11%) of 123 in Puerto Rico. In American Samoa and Puerto Rico, more than 80% of IgM positives were unspecified flavivirus infections. The false-positivity rate was 27% in US states, 18% in USVI, 2% in American Samoa, and 6% in Puerto Rico. Conclusions. In US states, PRNT provided a virus-specific diagnosis or ruled out infection in the majority of IgM positive samples. Almost a third of ZIKAV IgM positive results did not confirm; therefore, providers and patients must understand that IgM results are preliminary. In territories with historically higher DENV transmission, PRNT usually could not differentiate between ZIKAV and DENV infections. |
Pregnancy outcomes after maternal Zika virus infection during pregnancy - U.S. territories, January 1, 2016-April 25, 2017
Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Rice ME , Galang RR , Fulton AC , VanMaldeghem K , Prado MV , Ellis E , Anesi MS , Simeone RM , Petersen EE , Ellington SR , Jones AM , Williams T , Reagan-Steiner S , Perez-Padilla J , Deseda CC , Beron A , Tufa AJ , Rosinger A , Roth NM , Green C , Martin S , Lopez CD , deWilde L , Goodwin M , Pagano HP , Mai CT , Gould C , Zaki S , Ferrer LN , Davis MS , Lathrop E , Polen K , Cragan JD , Reynolds M , Newsome KB , Huertas MM , Bhatangar J , Quinones AM , Nahabedian JF , Adams L , Sharp TM , Hancock WT , Rasmussen SA , Moore CA , Jamieson DJ , Munoz-Jordan JL , Garstang H , Kambui A , Masao C , Honein MA , Meaney-Delman D . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (23) 615-621 Pregnant women living in or traveling to areas with local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission are at risk for Zika virus infection, which can lead to severe fetal and infant brain abnormalities and microcephaly (1). In February 2016, CDC recommended 1) routine testing for Zika virus infection of asymptomatic pregnant women living in areas with ongoing local Zika virus transmission at the first prenatal care visit, 2) retesting during the second trimester for women who initially test negative, and 3) testing of pregnant women with signs or symptoms consistent with Zika virus disease (e.g., fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis) at any time during pregnancy (2). To collect information about pregnant women with laboratory evidence of recent possible Zika virus infection* and outcomes in their fetuses and infants, CDC established pregnancy and infant registries (3). During January 1, 2016-April 25, 2017, U.S. territoriesdagger with local transmission of Zika virus reported 2,549 completed pregnancies section sign (live births and pregnancy losses at any gestational age) with laboratory evidence of recent possible Zika virus infection; 5% of fetuses or infants resulting from these pregnancies had birth defects potentially associated with Zika virus infection paragraph sign (4,5). Among completed pregnancies with positive nucleic acid tests confirming Zika infection identified in the first, second, and third trimesters, the percentage of fetuses or infants with possible Zika-associated birth defects was 8%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. Among liveborn infants, 59% had Zika laboratory testing results reported to the pregnancy and infant registries. Identification and follow-up of infants born to women with laboratory evidence of recent possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy permits timely and appropriate clinical intervention services (6). |
Establishing a timeline to discontinue routine testing of asymptomatic pregnant women for Zika virus infection - American Samoa, 2016-2017
Hancock WT , Soeters HM , Hills SL , Link-Gelles R , Evans ME , Daley WR , Piercefield E , Anesi MS , Mataia MA , Uso AM , Sili B , Tufa AJ , Solaita J , Irvin-Barnwell E , Meaney-Delman D , Wilken J , Weidle P , Toews KE , Walker W , Talboy PM , Gallo WK , Krishna N , Laws RL , Reynolds MR , Koneru A , Gould CV . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (11) 299-301 The first patients with laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in American Samoa had symptom onset in January 2016. In response, the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDoH) implemented mosquito control measures, strategies to protect pregnant women, syndromic surveillance based on electronic health record (EHR) reports, Zika virus testing of persons with one or more signs or symptoms of Zika virus disease (fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis), and routine testing of all asymptomatic pregnant women in accordance with CDC guidance. All collected blood and urine specimens were shipped to the Hawaii Department of Health Laboratory for Zika virus testing and to CDC for confirmatory testing. Early in the response, collection and testing of specimens from pregnant women was prioritized over the collection from symptomatic nonpregnant patients because of limited testing and shipping capacity. The weekly numbers of suspected Zika virus disease cases declined from an average of six per week in January-February 2016 to one per week in May 2016. By August, the EHR-based syndromic surveillance indicated a return to pre-outbreak levels. The last Zika virus disease case detected by real-time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) occurred in a patient who had symptom onset on June 19, 2016. In August 2016, ASDoH requested CDC support in assessing whether local transmission had been reduced or interrupted and in proposing a timeline for discontinuation of routine testing of asymptomatic pregnant women. An end date (October 15, 2016) was determined for active mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus and a timeline was developed for discontinuation of routine screening of asymptomatic pregnant women in American Samoa (conception after December 10, 2016, with permissive testing for asymptomatic women who conceive through April 15, 2017). |
Chikungunya virus disease outbreak in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia
Pastula DM , Hancock WT , Bel M , Biggs H , Marfel M , Lanciotti R , Laven J , Chen TH , Staples JE , Fischer M , Hills SL . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 11 (3) e0005410 BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus which causes an acute febrile illness associated with polyarthralgia. Beginning in August 2013, clinicians from the Yap State Department of Health in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) identified an unusual cluster of illness which was subsequently confirmed to be chikungunya virus disease. Chikungunya virus disease previously had not been recognized in FSM. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Information from patients presenting to healthcare facilities was collected and analyzed. During August 11, 2013, to August 10, 2014, a total of 1,761 clinical cases were reported for an attack rate of 155 clinical cases per 1,000 population. Among residents of Yap Main Island, 3% were hospitalized. There were no deaths. The outbreak began on Yap Main Island and rapidly spread throughout Yap Main Island and to three neighboring islands. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Chikungunya virus can cause explosive outbreaks with substantial morbidity. Given the increasing globalization of chikungunya virus, strong surveillance systems and access to laboratory testing are essential to detect outbreaks. |
Use of a Rapid Test for Diagnosis of Dengue during Suspected Dengue Outbreaks in Resource-Limited Regions
Hunsperger EA , Sharp TM , Lalita P , Tikomaidraubuta K , Cardoso YR , Naivalu T , Khan AS , Marfel M , Hancock WT , Tomashek KM , Margolis HS . J Clin Microbiol 2016 Dengue is major public health problem, globally. Timely verification of suspected dengue outbreaks allows for public health response leading to initiation of appropriate clinical care. Because the clinical presentation of dengue is non-specific, dengue diagnosis would benefit from a sensitive rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of an RDT that detects dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and anti-DENV IgM during suspected acute febrile illness (AFI) outbreaks in four countries. Real time RT-PCR and anti-DENV IgM ELISA were used to verify RDT results. Anti-DENV IgM RDT sensitivity and specificity ranged from 55.3-91.7% and 85.3-98.5%, respectively, and NS1 sensitivity and specificity ranged from 49.7-92.9% and 22.2-89.0%, respectively. Sensitivity varied by timing of specimen collection and DENV serotype. Combined test results moderately improved the sensitivity. Use of RDTs identified dengue as the cause of AFI outbreaks where reference diagnostic testing was limited or unavailable. |
Nationwide outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg infections associated with ground turkey: United States, 2011
Routh JA , Pringle J , Mohr M , Bidol S , Arends K , Adams-Cameron M , Hancock WT , Kissler B , Rickert R , Folster J , Tolar B , Bosch S , Barton Behravesh C , Williams IT , Gieraltowski L . Epidemiol Infect 2015 143 (15) 1-8 On 23 May 2011, CDC identified a multistate cluster of Salmonella Heidelberg infections and two multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates from ground turkey retail samples with indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. We defined cases as isolation of outbreak strains in persons with illness onset between 27 February 2011 and 10 November 2011. Investigators collected hypothesis-generating questionnaires and shopper-card information. Food samples from homes and retail outlets were collected and cultured. We identified 136 cases of S. Heidelberg infection in 34 states. Shopper-card information, leftover ground turkey from a patient's home containing the outbreak strain and identical antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinical and retail samples pointed to plant A as the source. On 3 August, plant A recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey. This outbreak increased consumer interest in MDR Salmonella infections acquired through United States-produced poultry and played a vital role in strengthening food safety policies related to Salmonella and raw ground poultry. |
Incrimination of Aedes (Stegomyia) hensilli Farner as an epidemic vector of chikungunya virus on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia, 2013
Savage HM , Ledermann JP , Yug L , Burkhalter KL , Marfel M , Hancock WT . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014 92 (2) 429-436 Two species of Aedes (Stegomyia) were collected in response to the first chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak on Yap Island: the native species Ae. hensilli Farner and the introduced species Ae. aegypti (L.). Fourteen CHIKV-positive mosquito pools were detected. Six pools were composed of female Ae. hensilli, six pools were composed of female Ae. aegypti, one pool was composed of male Ae. hensilli, and one pool contained female specimens identified as Ae. (Stg.) spp. Infection rates were not significantly different between female Ae. hensilli and Ae. aegypti. The occurrence of human cases in all areas of Yap Island and the greater number of sites that yielded virus from Ae. hensilli combined with the ubiquitous distribution of this species incriminate Ae. hensilli as the most important vector of CHIKV during the outbreak. Phylogenic analysis shows that virus strains on Yap are members of the Asia lineage and closely related to strains currently circulating in the Caribbean. |
Aedes hensilli as a potential vector of chikungunya and Zika viruses
Ledermann JP , Guillaumot L , Yug L , Saweyog SC , Tided M , Machieng P , Pretrick M , Marfel M , Griggs A , Bel M , Duffy MR , Hancock WT , Ho-Chen T , Powers AM . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014 8 (10) e3188 An epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) illness that occurred in July 2007 on Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia prompted entomological studies to identify both the primary vector(s) involved in transmission and the ecological parameters contributing to the outbreak. Larval and pupal surveys were performed to identify the major containers serving as oviposition habitat for the likely vector(s). Adult mosquitoes were also collected by backpack aspiration, light trap, and gravid traps at select sites around the capital city. The predominant species found on the island was Aedes (Stegomyia) hensilli. No virus isolates were obtained from the adult field material collected, nor did any of the immature mosquitoes that were allowed to emerge to adulthood contain viable virus or nucleic acid. Therefore, laboratory studies of the probable vector, Ae. hensilli, were undertaken to determine the likelihood of this species serving as a vector for Zika virus and other arboviruses. Infection rates of up to 86%, 62%, and 20% and dissemination rates of 23%, 80%, and 17% for Zika, chikungunya, and dengue-2 viruses respectively, were found supporting the possibility that this species served as a vector during the Zika outbreak and that it could play a role in transmitting other medically important arboviruses. |
Creating student sleuths: how a team of graduate students helped solve an outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections associated with kosher broiled chicken livers
Hanson H , Hancock WT , Harrison C , Kornstein L , Waechter H , Reddy V , Luker J , Malavet M , Huth P , Gieraltowski L , Balter S . J Food Prot 2014 77 (8) 1390-3 Since 2009, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has received FoodCORE funding to hire graduate students to conduct in-depth food exposure interviews of salmonellosis case patients. In 2011, an increase in the number of Salmonella Heidelberg infections with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis Xba I pattern JF6X01.0022 among observant Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey was investigated. As this pattern is common nationwide, some cases identified were not associated with the outbreak. To reduce the number of background cases, DOHMH focused on the community initially identified in the outbreak and defined a case as a person infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg with illness onset from 1 April to 17 November 2011 and who consumed a kosher diet, spoke Yiddish, or self-identified as Jewish. Nationally, 190 individuals were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg; 63 New York City residents met the DOHMH case definition. In October 2011, the graduate students (Team Salmonella) interviewed three case patients who reported eating broiled chicken livers. Laboratory testing of chicken liver samples revealed the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. Although they were only partially cooked, the livers appeared fully cooked, and consumers and retail establishment food handlers did not cook them thoroughly before eating or using them in a ready-to-eat spread. This investigation highlighted the need to prevent further illnesses from partially cooked chicken products. Removing background cases helped to focus the investigation. Training graduate students to collect exposure information can be a highly effective model for conducting foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigations for local and state departments of public health. |
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