Last data update: Dec 02, 2024. (Total: 48272 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 147 Records) |
Query Trace: Henderson F[original query] |
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Homelessness and organ donor-derived Bartonella quintana infection
Henderson R , Mosites E , Koehler JE , Boodman C , Marx GE . Emerg Infect Dis 2024 30 (12) 2459-2466 Louseborne Bartonella quintana infections in the United States occur almost exclusively among persons experiencing homelessness because of inadequate access to hygiene resources. Homelessness is increasing, and persons experiencing homelessness can be organ donors, despite barriers to receiving donated organs themselves. Recent reports have documented B. quintana transmission via organs transplanted from donors who had recently experienced homelessness. Those reports demonstrate the threat of severe bartonellosis in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients after donor-derived B. quintana infection. Addressing the root causes of B. quintana transmission could improve the quality of life for persons experiencing homelessness and simultaneously mitigate risk for donor-derived B. quintana transmission. Interventions include improved access to housing, consistent access to hot water for showers and laundry, early treatment of body lice infestation and B. quintana infection, and B. quintana testing and prophylactic treatment of recipients of organs from donors who have experienced risk factors for B. quintana, including homelessness. |
Veterinary care and flea preventatives are limited in homeless shelters and outreach organizations serving people experiencing homelessness
Carpenter A , Rich SN , Dell B , Adams S , Bestul N , Henderson R , Grano C , Sprague B , Leopold J , Schiffman E , Lomeli A , Zadeh H , Alarcón J , Halai UA , Nam YS , Seifu L , Dvm SS , Crum D , Mosites E , Salzer JS , Hinckley AF , Marx GE , McCormick DW . J Am Vet Med Assoc 2024 1-5 OBJECTIVE: Pet ownership among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) is common, but access to shelter, veterinary care, and flea-preventative products for PEH who own pets in the US is not well described. We sought to evaluate current knowledge of fleas and flea-borne diseases and characterize practices around pets and service animals among staff at homeless shelters and outreach organizations. METHODS: In-person surveys were administered to staff at homeless shelters and on outreach teams in 7 states from August 2022 to April 2023 to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices and to assess homeless shelter/organizational characteristics. RESULTS: Surveys were administered to 333 staff members at 60 homeless shelters and among 29 outreach teams. Seventy-eight percent of homeless shelters allowed pets or service animals. Only 2% of homeless shelters and 7% of outreach teams provided veterinary care; 15% of homeless shelters and 7% of outreach teams provided flea preventatives. Nearly three-quarters of surveyed homeless shelter staff responded that no steps were taken to treat fleas at their shelters. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinary care and availability of flea-preventative products are limited in homeless shelter and outreach organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pets of PEH might be at an increased risk of flea infestation and flea-borne diseases because of limited access to veterinary care and preventatives. Improving knowledge and access to flea prevention, screening, and treatment are critical to ensure PEH and their pets can consistently access homeless shelters or outreach services, and to prevent flea-borne disease transmission. |
The burden of all-cause mortality following influenza-associated hospitalizations, FluSurv-NET, 2010-2019
O'Halloran AC , Millman AJ , Holstein R , Olsen SJ , Cummings C , Chai SJ , Kirley PD , Alden NB , Yousey-Hindes K , Meek J , Openo KP , Fawcett E , Ryan PA , Leegwater L , Henderson J , McMahon M , Lynfield R , Angeles KM , Bleecker M , McGuire S , Spina NL , Tesini BL , Gaitan MA , Lung K , Shiltz E , Thomas A , Talbott HK , Schaffner W , Hill M , Reed C , Garg S . Clin Infect Dis 2024 BACKGROUND: While the estimated number of U.S. influenza-associated deaths is reported annually, detailed data on the epidemiology of influenza-associated deaths, including the burden of in-hospital versus post-hospital discharge deaths are limited. METHODS: Using data from the 2010-11 through 2018-19 seasons from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, we linked cases to death certificates to identify patients who died from any cause during their influenza hospital stay or within 30 days post discharge. We described demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who died in hospital versus post discharge and characterized locations and causes of death (COD). RESULTS: Among 121,390 cases hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza over 9 seasons, 5.5% died; 76% of deaths were in patients ≥65 years, 71% were non-Hispanic White, and 34% had ≥4 underlying medical conditions. Among all patients with an influenza-associated hospitalization who died, 48% of deaths occurred after hospital discharge; the median days from discharge to death was 9 days (IQR 3-19 days). Post-discharge deaths more often occurred in older patients and among those with underlying medical conditions. Only 37% of patients who died had "influenza" as a COD on their death certificate. Influenza was more frequently listed as a COD among persons who died in-hospital compared with cardiovascular disease among those who died after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: All-cause mortality burden is substantial among patients hospitalized with influenza, with almost 50% of deaths occurring within 30 days after hospital discharge. Surveillance systems should consider capture of post-discharge outcomes to better characterize the impact of influenza on all-cause mortality. |
Laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations among children and adults - Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2010-2023
Naquin A , O'Halloran A , Ujamaa D , Sundaresan D , Masalovich S , Cummings CN , Noah K , Jain S , Kirley PD , Alden NB , Austin E , Meek J , Yousey-Hindes K , Openo K , Witt L , Monroe ML , Henderson J , Nunez VT , Lynfield R , McMahon M , Shaw YP , McCahon C , Spina N , Engesser K , Tesini BL , Gaitan MA , Shiltz E , Lung K , Sutton M , Hendrick MA , Schaffner W , Talbot HK , George A , Zahid H , Reed C , Garg S , Bozio CH . MMWR Surveill Summ 2024 73 (6) 1-18 PROBLEM/CONDITION: Seasonal influenza accounts for 9.3 million-41 million illnesses, 100,000-710,000 hospitalizations, and 4,900-51,000 deaths annually in the United States. Since 2003, the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) has been conducting population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States, including weekly rate estimations and descriptions of clinical characteristics and outcomes for hospitalized patients. However, a comprehensive summary of trends in hospitalization rates and clinical data collected from the surveillance platform has not been available. REPORTING PERIOD: 2010-11 through 2022-23 influenza seasons. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: FluSurv-NET conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations among children and adults. During the reporting period, the surveillance network included 13-16 participating sites each influenza season, with prespecified geographic catchment areas that covered 27 million-29 million persons and included an estimated 8.8%-9.5% of the U.S. population. A case was defined as a person residing in the catchment area within one of the participating states who had a positive influenza laboratory test result within 14 days before or at any time during their hospitalization. Each site abstracted case data from hospital medical records into a standardized case report form, with selected variables submitted to CDC on a weekly basis for rate estimations. Weekly and cumulative laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for each season from 2010-11 through 2022-23 and stratified by patient age (0-4 years, 5-17 years, 18-49 years, 50-64 years, and ≥65 years), sex, race and ethnicity, influenza type, and influenza A subtype. During the 2020-21 season, only the overall influenza hospitalization rate was reported because case counts were insufficient to estimate stratified rates. RESULTS: During the 2010-11 to 2022-23 influenza seasons, laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization rates varied significantly across seasons. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalization rates per 100,000 population ranged from 8.7 (2011-12) to 102.9 (2017-18) and had consistent seasonality. After SARS-CoV-2 emerged, the hospitalization rate for 2020-21 was 0.8, and the rate did not return to recent prepandemic levels until 2022-23. Inconsistent seasonality also was observed during 2020-21 through 2022-23, with influenza activity being very low during 2020-21, extending later than usual during 2021-22, and occurring early during 2022-23. Molecular assays, particularly multiplex standard molecular assays, were the most common influenza test type in recent seasons, increasing from 12% during 2017-18 for both pediatric and adult cases to 43% and 55% during 2022-23 for pediatric and adult cases, respectively. During each season, adults aged ≥65 years consistently had the highest influenza-associated hospitalization rate across all age groups, followed in most seasons by children aged 0-4 years. Black or African American and American Indian or Alaska Native persons had the highest age-adjusted influenza-associated hospitalization rates across these seasons. Among patients hospitalized with influenza, the prevalence of at least one underlying medical condition increased with increasing age, ranging from 36.9% among children aged 0-4 years to 95.4% among adults aged ≥65 years. Consistently across each season, the most common underlying medical conditions among children and adolescents were asthma, neurologic disorders, and obesity. The most common underlying medical conditions among adults were hypertension, obesity, chronic metabolic disease, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. The proportion of FluSurv-NET patients with acute respiratory signs and symptoms at hospital admission decreased from 90.6% during 2018-19 to 83.2% during 2022-23. Although influenza antiviral use increased during the 2010-11 through the 2017-18 influenza seasons, it decreased from 90.2% during 2018-19 to 79.1% during 2022-23, particularly among children and adolescents. Admission to the intensive care unit, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death ranged from 14.1% to 22.3%, 4.9% to 11.1%, and 2.2% to 3.5% of patients hospitalized with influenza, respectively, during the reported surveillance period. INTERPRETATIONS: Influenza continues to cause severe morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults, and disparities have persisted in racial and ethnic minority groups. Persons with underlying medical conditions represented a large proportion of patients hospitalized with influenza. Increased use of multiplex tests and other potential changes in facility-level influenza testing practices (e.g., influenza screening at all hospital admissions) could have implications for the detection of influenza infections among hospitalized patients. Antiviral use decreased in recent seasons, and explanations for the decrease should be further evaluated. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: Continued robust influenza surveillance is critical to monitor progress in efforts to encourage antiviral treatment and improve clinical outcomes for persons hospitalized with influenza. In addition, robust influenza surveillance can potentially reduce disparities by informing efforts to increase access to preventive measures for influenza and monitoring any subsequent changes in hospitalization rates. |
Complete genome sequences of nine double recombinant vaccine-derived novel oral poliovirus type 2 genomes from Nigeria 2023-2024
Castro CJ , Oderinde BS , Poston KD , Mawashi KY , Bullard K , Akinola M , Meade C , Liu H , Hu F , Bullows JE , Gonzalez Z , Pang H , Sarris S , Agha C , Dybdahl-Sissoko N , Perry DB , McDuffie L , Henderson E , Burns CC , Jorba J , Baba M . Microbiol Resour Announc 2024 e0088124 We report the complete genome sequences of nine double recombinant vaccine-derived novel oral poliovirus type 2 genomes from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases (n = 3), AFP case contacts (n = 4), and environmental surveillance sampling (n = 2) in Nigeria. |
Update on vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks - worldwide, January 2023-June 2024
Namageyo-Funa A , Greene SA , Henderson E , Traoré MA , Shaukat S , Bigouette JP , Jorba J , Wiesen E , Bolu O , Diop OM , Burns CC , Wassilak SGF . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 73 (41) 909-916 Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) can emerge and lead to outbreaks of paralytic polio as well as asymptomatic transmission in communities with a high percentage of undervaccinated children. Using data from the World Health Organization Polio Information System and Global Polio Laboratory Network, this report describes global polio outbreaks due to cVDPVs during January 2023-June 2024 and updates previous reports. During the reporting period, 74 cVDPV outbreaks were detected in 39 countries or areas (countries), predominantly in Africa. Among these 74 cVDPV outbreaks, 47 (64%) were new outbreaks, detected in 30 (77%) of the 39 countries. Three countries reported cVDPV type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreaks and 38 countries reported cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks; two of these countries reported cocirculating cVDPV1 and cVDPV2. In the 38 countries with cVDPV2 transmission, 70 distinct outbreaks were reported. In 15 countries, cVDPV transmission has lasted >1 year into 2024. In Nigeria and Somalia, both countries with security-compromised areas, persistent cVDPV2 transmission has spread to neighboring countries. Delayed implementation of outbreak response campaigns and low-quality campaigns have resulted in further international spread. Countries can control cVDPV outbreaks with timely allocation of resources to implement prompt, high-quality responses after outbreak confirmation. Stopping all cVDPV transmission requires effectively increasing population immunity by overcoming barriers to reaching children. |
Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication - Pakistan, January 2023-June 2024
Mbaeyi C , Ul Haq A , Safdar RM , Khan Z , Corkum M , Henderson E , Wadood ZM , Alam MM , Franka R . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 73 (36) 788-792 Since its launch in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has made substantial progress toward the eradication of wild poliovirus (WPV), including eradicating two of the three serotypes, and reducing the countries with ongoing endemic transmission of WPV type 1 (WPV1) to just Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both countries are considered a single epidemiologic block. Despite the occurrence of only a single confirmed WPV1 case during the first half of 2023, Pakistan experienced widespread circulation of WPV1 over the subsequent 12 months, specifically in the historical reservoirs of the cities of Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. As of June 30, 2024, eight WPV1 cases had been reported in Pakistan in 2024, compared with six reported during all of 2023. These cases, along with more than 300 WPV1-positive environmental surveillance (sewage) samples reported during 2023-2024, indicate that Pakistan is not on track to interrupt WPV1 transmission. The country's complex sociopolitical and security environment continues to pose formidable challenges to poliovirus elimination. To interrupt WPV1 transmission, sustained political commitment to polio eradication, including increased accountability at all levels, would be vital for the polio program. Efforts to systematically track and vaccinate children who are continually missed during polio vaccination activities should be enhanced by better addressing operational issues and the underlying reasons for community resistance to vaccination and vaccine hesitancy. |
Azithromycin-resistant mph(A)-positive Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in the United States
Tagg KA , Kim JY , Henderson B , Birhane MG , Snyder C , Boutwell C , Lyo A , Li L , Weinstein E , Mercado Y , Peñil-Celis A , Mikoleit M , Folster JP , Watkins LKF . J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024 OBJECTIVES: . The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts active surveillance for typhoid fever cases caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi). Here we describe the characteristics of the first two cases of mph(A)-positive azithromycin-resistant Typhi identified through US surveillance. METHODS: . Isolates were submitted to public health laboratories, sequenced, and screened for antimicrobial resistance determinants and plasmids, as part of CDC PulseNet's routine genomic surveillance. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and long-read sequencing were also performed. Basic case information (age, sex, travel, outcome) was collected through routine questionnaires; additional epidemiological data was requested through follow-up patient interviews. RESULTS: . The patients are related and both reported travel to India (overlapping travel dates) before illness onset. Both Typhi genomes belong to the GenoTyphi lineage 4.3.1.1 and carry the azithromycin-resistance gene mph(A) on a PTU-FE (IncFIA/FIB/FII) plasmid. These strains differ genetically from mph(A)-positive Typhi genomes recently reported from Pakistan, suggesting independent emergence of azithromycin resistance in India. CONCLUSIONS: . Cases of typhoid fever caused by Typhi strains resistant to all available oral treatment options are cause for concern and support the need for vaccination of travelers to Typhi endemic regions. US genomic surveillance serves as an important global sentinel for detection of strains with known and emerging antimicrobial resistance profiles, including strains from areas where routine surveillance is not conducted. |
Challenges, risks, and opportunities of antiretroviral drugs in women of reproductive potential
Henderson AC , Cholli P , Lampe MA , Kourtis AP . Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024 1-15 INTRODUCTION: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been one of the greatest challenges in global health, significantly affecting women of reproductive potential. Considerable advances in antiretroviral therapy for women living with HIV have contributed to improvements in quality of life, better reproductive and birth outcomes, and a reduced risk of perinatal transmission. AREAS COVERED: Despite the progress made, persistent challenges in access and adherence to antiretroviral drugs may limit their benefits for some women. More pharmacokinetic and safety studies in pregnant and lactating women are urgently needed, as are prospective surveillance systems to evaluate associations between fetal and infant antiretroviral exposures, drug-drug interactions, and pregnancy outcomes. EXPERT OPINION: Multipurpose technologies, such as combined HIV and other STI or unintended pregnancy prevention, and innovative delivery methods, such as the development of long-acting antiretrovirals, have the potential to reduce adherence challenges and enhance quality of life for women with HIV. Parallel advances in drug safety testing and surveillance are needed to ensure the health and safety of women with or at risk for HIV and children at risk for perinatal transmission. |
Knowledge and practices related to louse- and flea-borne diseases among staff providing services to people experiencing homelessness in the United States
Rich SN , Carpenter A , Dell B , Henderson R , Adams S , Bestul N , Grano C , Sprague B , Leopold J , Schiffman EK , Lomeli A , Zadeh H , Alarcón J , Halai UA , Nam YS , Seifu L , Slavinski S , Crum D , Mosites E , Salzer JS , Hinckley AF , McCormick DW , Marx GE . Zoonoses Public Health 2024 BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Louse-borne Bartonella quintana infection and flea-borne murine typhus are two potentially serious vector-borne diseases that have led to periodic outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness in the United States. Little is known about louse- and flea-borne disease awareness and prevention among staff who provide services to the population. We surveyed staff in seven US states to identify gaps in knowledge and prevention practices for these diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surveys were administered to 333 staff at 89 homeless shelters and outreach teams in California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Washington from August 2022 to April 2023. Most participants (>68%) agreed that body lice and fleas are a problem for people experiencing homelessness. About half were aware that diseases could be transmitted by these vectors; however, most could not accurately identify which diseases. Less than a quarter of staff could describe an appropriate protocol for managing body lice or fleas. Misconceptions included that clients must isolate or be denied services until they are medically cleared. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal significant knowledge gaps among staff who provide services to people experiencing homelessness in the prevention and control of louse- and flea-borne diseases. This demonstrates an urgent need for staff training to both reduce disease and prevent unnecessary restrictions on services and housing. |
Monitoring and reporting the US COVID-19 vaccination effort
Scharf LG , Adeniyi K , Augustini E , Boyd D , Corvin L , Kalach RE , Fast H , Fath J , Harris L , Henderson D , Hicks-Thomson J , Jones-Jack N , Kellerman A , Khan AN , McGarvey SS , McGehee JE , EMiner C , Moore LB , Murthy BP , Myerburg S , Neuhaus E , Nguyen K , Parker M , Pierce-Richards S , Samchok D , Shaw LK , Spoto S , Srinivasan A , Stearle C , Thomas J , Winarsky M , Zell E . Vaccine 2023 Immunizations are an important tool to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases and improve population health.(1) High-quality immunization data is essential to inform clinical and public health interventions and respond to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. To track COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations, CDC established an integrated network that included vaccination provider systems, health information exchange systems, immunization information systems, pharmacy and dialysis systems, vaccine ordering systems, electronic health records, and tools to support mass vaccination clinics. All these systems reported data to CDC's COVID-19 response system (either directly or indirectly) where it was processed, analyzed, and disseminated. This unprecedented vaccine tracking effort provided essential information for public health officials that was used to monitor the COVID-19 response and guide decisions. This paper will describe systems, processes, and policies that enabled monitoring and reporting of COVID-19 vaccination efforts and share challenges and lessons learned for future public health emergency responses. |
Large community outbreak of legionnaires disease potentially associated with a cooling tower - Napa County, California, 2022
Grossmann NV , Milne C , Martinez MR , Relucio K , Sadeghi B , Wiley EN , Holland SN , Rutschmann S , Vugia DJ , Kimura A , Crain C , Akter F , Mukhopadhyay R , Crandall J , Shorrock M , Smith JC , Prasad N , Kahn R , Barskey AE , Lee S , Willby MJ , Kozak-Muiznieks NA , Lucas CE , Henderson KC , Hamlin JAP , Yang E , Clemmons NS , Ritter T , Henn J . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (49) 1315-1320 Legionnaires disease is a serious infection acquired by inhalation of water droplets from human-made building water systems that contain Legionella bacteria. On July 11 and 12, 2022, Napa County Public Health (NCPH) in California received reports of three positive urinary antigen tests for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in the town of Napa. By July 21, six Legionnaires disease cases had been confirmed among Napa County residents, compared with a baseline of one or two cases per year. NCPH requested assistance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CDC to aid in the investigations. Close temporal and geospatial clustering permitted a focused environmental sampling strategy of high-risk facilities which, coupled with whole genome sequencing results from samples and investigation of water system maintenance, facilitated potential linking of the outbreak with an environmental source. NCPH, with technical support from CDC and CDPH, instructed and monitored remediation practices for all environmental locations that tested positive for Legionella. The investigation response to this community outbreak illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration by public health agencies, laboratory support, timely communication with the public, and cooperation of managers of potentially implicated water systems. Timely identification of possible sources, sampling, and remediation of any facility testing positive for Legionella is crucial to interrupting further transmission. |
Corrigendum: Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence among primary care providers in Kazakhstan, March-April 2021
Nabirova D , Horth R , Kassabekova L , Henderson A , Yesmagambetova A , Alaverdyan S , Nuorti JP , Smagul M . Front Public Health 2023 11 1308374 This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1245750. In the published article, there was an error in Table 1 as published. Row and column percentages were inverted for the age group variable. The corrected Table 1 and its caption appear below. |
Severity of influenza-associated hospitalisations by influenza virus type and subtype in the USA, 2010-19: a repeated cross-sectional study
Sumner KM , Masalovich S , O'Halloran A , Holstein R , Reingold A , Kirley PD , Alden NB , Herlihy RK , Meek J , Yousey-Hindes K , Anderson EJ , Openo KP , Monroe ML , Leegwater L , Henderson J , Lynfield R , McMahon M , McMullen C , Angeles KM , Spina NL , Engesser K , Bennett NM , Felsen CB , Lung K , Shiltz E , Thomas A , Talbot HK , Schaffner W , Swain A , George A , Rolfes MA , Reed C , Garg S . Lancet Microbe 2023 4 (11) e903-e912 BACKGROUND: Influenza burden varies across seasons, partly due to differences in circulating influenza virus types or subtypes. Using data from the US population-based surveillance system, Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), we aimed to assess the severity of influenza-associated outcomes in individuals hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections during the 2010-11 to 2018-19 influenza seasons. METHODS: To evaluate the association between influenza virus type or subtype causing the infection (influenza A H3N2, A H1N1pdm09, and B viruses) and in-hospital severity outcomes (intensive care unit [ICU] admission, use of mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO], and death), we used FluSurv-NET to capture data for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalisations from the 2010-11 to 2018-19 influenza seasons for individuals of all ages living in select counties in 13 US states. All individuals had to have an influenza virus test within 14 days before or during their hospital stay and an admission date between Oct 1 and April 30 of an influenza season. Exclusion criteria were individuals who did not have a complete chart review; cases from sites that contributed data for three or fewer seasons; hospital-onset cases; cases with unidentified influenza type; cases of multiple influenza virus type or subtype co-infection; or individuals younger than 6 months and ineligible for the influenza vaccine. Logistic regression models adjusted for influenza season, influenza vaccination status, age, and FluSurv-NET site compared odds of in-hospital severity by virus type or subtype. When missing, influenza A subtypes were imputed using chained equations of known subtypes by season. FINDINGS: Data for 122 941 individuals hospitalised with influenza were captured in FluSurv-NET from the 2010-11 to 2018-19 seasons; after exclusions were applied, 107 941 individuals remained and underwent influenza A virus imputation when missing A subtype (43·4%). After imputation, data for 104 969 remained and were included in the final analytic sample. Averaging across imputed datasets, 57·7% (weighted percentage) had influenza A H3N2, 24·6% had influenza A H1N1pdm09, and 17·7% had influenza B virus infections; 16·7% required ICU admission, 6·5% received mechanical ventilation or ECMO, and 3·0% died (95% CIs had a range of less than 0·1% and are not displayed). Individuals with A H1N1pdm09 had higher odds of in-hospital severe outcomes than those with A H3N2: adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for A H1N1pdm09 versus A H3N2 were 1·42 (95% CI 1·32-1·52) for ICU admission; 1·79 (1·60-2·00) for mechanical ventilation or ECMO use; and 1·25 (1·07-1·46) for death. The adjusted ORs for individuals infected with influenza B versus influenza A H3N2 were 1·06 (95% CI 1·01-1·12) for ICU admission, 1·14 (1·05-1·24) for mechanical ventilation or ECMO use, and 1·18 (1·07-1·31) for death. INTERPRETATION: Despite a higher burden of hospitalisations with influenza A H3N2, we found an increased likelihood of in-hospital severe outcomes in individuals hospitalised with influenza A H1N1pdm09 or influenza B virus. Thus, it is important for individuals to receive an annual influenza vaccine and for health-care providers to provide early antiviral treatment for patients with suspected influenza who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, not only when there is high influenza A H3N2 virus circulation but also when influenza A H1N1pdm09 and influenza B viruses are circulating. FUNDING: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence among primary care providers in Kazakhstan, March-April 2021
Nabirova D , Horth R , Kassabekova L , Henderson A , Yesmagambetova A , Alaverdyan S , Nuorti JP , Smagul M . Front Public Health 2023 11 1245750 INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is a critical public health intervention, and vaccine hesitancy is a major threat. Globally, confidence in COVID-19 vaccines has been low, and rates of routine immunizations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because healthcare providers are a trusted source of information on vaccination in Kazakhstan, it was vital to understand their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to both routine and COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: From March to April 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among the healthcare providers responsible for vaccination in 54 primary care facilities in three cities in Kazakhstan. All consenting providers anonymously completed structured online questionnaires at their place of work. A provider was classified as having COVID-19 vaccine confidence if they planned to get a COVID-19 vaccine, believed that COVID-19 vaccines are important to protect their community and either believed the vaccine was important to protect themselves or believed that getting a vaccine was safer than getting COVID-19. Statistical analysis included chi-square, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of 1,461 providers, 30% had COVID-19 vaccine confidence, 40% did not, and 30% would refuse vaccination. Participants were mostly female (92%) and ≤ 35 years old (57%). Additionally, 65% were nurses, 25% were family physicians, and 10% were pediatricians. Adequate KAP for routine vaccines was low (22, 17, and 32%, respectively). Adequate knowledge was highest among pediatricians (42%) and family physicians (28%) and lowest among nurses (17%). Misconceptions about vaccines were high; 54% believed that influenza vaccines cause flu, and 57% believed that there is a scientifically proven association between vaccination and autism and multiple sclerosis. About half (45%) of the practitioners felt confident answering patient vaccine-related concerns. In adjusted models, COVID-19 vaccine confidence was positively associated with adequate knowledge of vaccines (prevalence ratio: 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.4) and adequate attitudes related to routine vaccines (3.1, 2.7-3.6). CONCLUSION: Our study uncovers critical areas for interventions to improve KAP related to routine immunizations and COVID-19 vaccine confidence among providers in Kazakhstan. The complex relationship between KAP of routine vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine confidence underscores the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy more broadly and not focusing solely on COVID-19. |
Notes from the field: Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 emergences linked to novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 use - six African countries, 2021-2023
Davlantes E , Jorba J , Henderson E , Bullard K , Deka MA , Kfutwah A , Martin J , Bessaud M , Shulman LM , Hawes K , Diop OM , Bandyopadhyay AS , Zipursky S , Burns CC . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (38) 1041-1042 Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks can occur when oral poliovirus vaccine strains (most often, Sabin monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 [mOPV2]) undergo prolonged circulation in undervaccinated populations, resulting in genetic reversion to neurovirulence. A novel type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine (nOPV2) has been developed, which has been shown in clinical trials to be less likely than mOPV2 to revert to paralytic variants and to have limited genetic modifications in initial field use (1–4). Approximately 700 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered worldwide in response to outbreaks of cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2). cVDPV2 detections originating from nOPV2 use from initial rollout during March 2021–September 7, 2023, are described in this report. |
Invasive nontypeable haemophilus influenzae disease outbreak at an elementary school - Michigan, May 2023
Weinberg MM , Akel K , Akinyemi O , Balasubramanian T , Blankenship HM , Collins JP , Collins J , Henderson T , Johnson S , Lai J , McNamara LA , Richardson C , Sharma S , Sheth D . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 73 (32) 691-695 In May 2023, the Detroit Health Department was notified of four cases of invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) disease among students attending the same elementary school and grade, all with illness onsets within 7 days. Three patients were hospitalized, and one died. Most U.S. cases of invasive Hi disease are caused by nontypeable strains. No vaccines against nontypeable or non-type b Hi strains are currently available. Chemoprophylaxis is not typically recommended in response to nontypeable Hi cases; however, because of the high attack rate (four cases among 46 students; 8.7%), rifampin prophylaxis was recommended for household contacts of patients with confirmed cases and for all students and staff members in the school wing where confirmed cases occurred. Only 10.8% of students for whom chemoprophylaxis was recommended took it, highlighting gaps in understanding among caregivers and health care providers about persons for whom chemoprophylaxis was recommended. Public health authorities subsequently enhanced communication and education to the school community, improved coordination with health care partners, and established mass prophylaxis clinics at the school. This outbreak highlights the potential for nontypeable Hi to cause serious illness and outbreaks and the need for chemoprophylaxis guidance for nontypeable Hi disease. Achieving high chemoprophylaxis coverage requires education, communication, and coordination with community and health care partners. |
Risk Factors for COVID-19-associated hospitalization: COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (preprint)
Ko JY , Danielson ML , Town M , Derado G , Greenlund KJ , Daily Kirley P , Alden NB , Yousey-Hindes K , Anderson EJ , Ryan PA , Kim S , Lynfield R , Torres SM , Barney GR , Bennett NM , Sutton M , Talbot HK , Hill M , Hall AJ , Fry AM , Garg S , Kim L . medRxiv 2020 2020.07.27.20161810 Background Identification of risk factors for COVID-19-associated hospitalization is needed to guide prevention and clinical care.Objective To examine if age, sex, race/ethnicity, and underlying medical conditions is independently associated with COVID-19-associated hospitalizations.Design Cross-sectional.Setting 70 counties within 12 states participating in the Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET) and a population-based sample of non-hospitalized adults residing in the COVID-NET catchment area from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.Participants U.S. community-dwelling adults (≥18 years) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, March 1- June 23, 2020.Measurements Adjusted rate ratios (aRR) of hospitalization by age, sex, race/ethnicity and underlying medical conditions (hypertension, coronary artery disease, history of stroke, diabetes, obesity [BMI ≥30 kg/m2], severe obesity [BMI≥40 kg/m2], chronic kidney disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).Results Our sample included 5,416 adults with COVID-19-associated hospitalizations. Adults with (versus without) severe obesity (aRR:4.4; 95%CI: 3.4, 5.7), chronic kidney disease (aRR:4.0; 95%CI: 3.0, 5.2), diabetes (aRR:3.2; 95%CI: 2.5, 4.1), obesity (aRR:2.9; 95%CI: 2.3, 3.5), hypertension (aRR:2.8; 95%CI: 2.3, 3.4), and asthma (aRR:1.4; 95%CI: 1.1, 1.7) had higher rates of hospitalization, after adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. In models adjusting for the presence of an individual underlying medical condition, higher hospitalization rates were observed for adults ≥65 years, 45-64 years (versus 18-44 years), males (versus females), and non-Hispanic black and other race/ethnicities (versus non-Hispanic whites).Limitations Interim analysis limited to hospitalizations with underlying medical condition data.Conclusion Our findings elucidate groups with higher hospitalization risk that may benefit from targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions.Competing Interest StatementDr. Anderson reports personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Pfizer, grants from Pfizer, grants from Merck, grants from Micron, grants from Paxvax, grants from Sanofi Pasteur, grants from Novavax, grants from MedImmune, grants from Regeneron, grants from GSK, outside the submitted work. Mr. Henderson, Ms. Kim, Ms. George, and Ms. Hill report grants from Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), during the conduct of the study. Dr. Lynfield reports grants from CDC- Emerging Infections Program, during the conduct of the study; and Royalties from a book on infectious disease surveillance and compensation for AAP Red Book (Report from Committee on Infectious Disease) donated to Minnesota Dept of Health. Dr. Schaffner reports grants from CDC, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from VBI Vaccines, outside the submitted work. Dr. Talbot reports other from Seqirus, outside the submitted work.Funding StatementThis work was supported by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention through an Emerging Infections Program cooperative agreement (grant CK17-1701) and through a Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists cooperative agreement (grant NU38OT000297-02-00).Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:This analysis was exempt from CDC's Institutional Review Board, as it was considered part of public health surveillance and emergency response. Participating sites obtained approval for the COVID-NET surveillance protocol from their respective state and local IRBs, as required.All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved regi try, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.YesData is not publically available at this time. |
Oral cholera vaccine coverage evaluation survey: Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals and host community in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Qayum MO , Billah MM , Sarker MFR , Alamgir ASM , Nurunnahar M , Khan MH , Salim Uzzaman M , Henderson A , Shirin T , Flora MS . Front Public Health 2023 11 1147563 INTRODUCTION: Cholera remains a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Bangladesh and other impoverished nations have been severely affected by cholera outbreaks, especially in areas with a high population density. In order to mitigate the spread of cholera, oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) are recommended as a prophylactic measure. In May 2018, 775,666 of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) in the registered and makeshift camps and 103,605 of the residents in the host community received two doses of OCV Shanchol(TM) in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, because the conditions in the area favored the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases. This study aimed to assess the coverage of OCV among the FDMN and the host community in Cox's Bazar. METHODS: In August 2018, we enrolled 4,240 respondents for this study following the "World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccination Coverage Cluster Surveys: Reference Manual (2018)." The coverage survey was conducted with three strata of the population: the host community from the Teknaf Upazila, the registered camp, and the makeshift camp from the Ukhia Upazila. We collected information regarding OCV coverage, demographic characteristics, and knowledge and behaviors of people toward the vaccine. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: According to our study, the overall OCV coverage was 85%, with 68% in the host community, 91% in the registered camp, and 98% in the makeshift camp. The lower coverage in the host community was due to residents unaware of the vaccination campaign, the unavailability of vaccines, and unaware where to go for vaccination. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that the OCV campaign in the FDMN camps was successful, reaching over 90% coverage, while coverage in the host community was much lower. In order to make sure that OCV vaccination efforts are reaching the target population and having the desired impact, our study emphasizes the need to inform the target population of when and where to get vaccinated. |
Self-Reported Mask Use among Persons with or without SARS CoV-2 Vaccination -United States, December 2020-August 2021 (preprint)
Calamari LE , Weintraub WS , Santos R , Gibbs M , Bertoni AG , Ward LM , Saydah S , Plumb ID , Runyon MS , Wierzba TF , Sanders JW , Herrington D , Espeland MA , Williamson J , Mongraw-Chaffin M , Bertoni A , Alexander-Miller MA , Castri P , Mathews A , Munawar I , Seals AL , Ostasiewski B , Ballard CAP , Gurcan M , Ivanov A , Zapata GM , Westcott M , Blinson K , Blinson L , Mistysyn M , Davis D , Doomy L , Henderson P , Jessup A , Lane K , Levine B , McCanless J , McDaniel S , Melius K , O'Neill C , Pack A , Rathee R , Rushing S , Sheets J , Soots S , Wall M , Wheeler S , White J , Wilkerson L , Wilson R , Wilson K , Burcombe D , Saylor G , Lunn M , Ordonez K , O'Steen A , Wagner L , McCurdy LH , Gibbs MA , Taylor YJ , Calamari L , Tapp H , Ahmed A , Brennan M , Munn L , Dantuluri KL , Hetherington T , Lu LC , Dunn C , Hogg M , Price A , Leonidas M , Manning M , Rossman W , Gohs FX , Harris A , Priem JS , Tochiki P , Wellinsky N , Silva C , Ludden T , Hernandez J , Spencer K , McAlister L , Weintraub W , Miller K , Washington C , Moses A , Dolman S , Zelaya-Portillo J , Erkus J , Blumenthal J , Romero Barrientos RE , Bennett S , Shah S , Mathur S , Boxley C , Kolm P , Franklin E , Ahmed N , Larsen M , Oberhelman R , Keating J , Kissinger P , Schieffelin J , Yukich J , Beron A , Teigen J , Kotloff K , Chen WH , Friedman-Klabanoff D , Berry AA , Powell H , Roane L , Datar R , Correa A , Navalkele B , Min YI , Castillo A , Ward L , Santos RP , Anugu P , Gao Y , Green J , Sandlin R , Moore D , Drake L , Horton D , Johnson KL , Stover M , Lagarde WH , Daniel L , Maguire PD , Hanlon CL , McFayden L , Rigo I , Hines K , Smith L , Harris M , Lissor B , Cook V , Eversole M , Herrin T , Murphy D , Kinney L , Diehl P , Abromitis N , Pierre TSt , Heckman B , Evans D , March J , Whitlock B , Moore W , Arthur S , Conway J , Gallaher TR , Johanson M , Brown S , Dixon T , Reavis M , Henderson S , Zimmer M , Oliver D , Jackson K , Menon M , Bishop B , Roeth R , King-Thiele R , Hamrick TS , Ihmeidan A , Hinkelman A , Okafor C , Bray Brown RB , Brewster A , Bouyi D , Lamont K , Yoshinaga K , Vinod P , Peela AS , Denbel G , Lo J , Mayet-Khan M , Mittal A , Motwani R , Raafat M , Schultz E , Joseph A , Parkeh A , Patel D , Afridi B , Uschner D , Edelstein SL , Santacatterina M , Strylewicz G , Burke B , Gunaratne M , Turney M , Zhou SQ , Tjaden AH , Fette L , Buahin A , Bott M , Graziani S , Soni A , Mores C , Porzucek A , Laborde R , Acharya P , Guill L , Lamphier D , Schaefer A , Satterwhite WM , McKeague A , Ward J , Naranjo DP , Darko N , Castellon K , Brink R , Shehzad H , Kuprianov D , McGlasson D , Hayes D , Edwards S , Daphnis S , Todd B , Goodwin A , Berkelman R , Hanson K , Zeger S , Hopkins J , Reilly C , Edwards K , Gayle H , Redd S . medRxiv 2022 10 Wearing a facemask can help to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. We investigated self-reported mask use among subjects aged 18 years and older participating in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership (CRP), a prospective longitudinal COVID-19 surveillance study in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. We included those participants who completed >=5 daily surveys each month from December 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021. Mask use was defined as self-reported use of a face mask or face covering on every interaction with others outside the household within a distance of less than 6 feet. Participants were considered vaccinated if they reported receiving >=1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Participants (n=17,522) were 91% non-Hispanic White, 68% female, median age 57 years, 26% healthcare workers, with 95% self-reported receiving >=1 COVID-19 vaccine dose through August; mean daily survey response was 85%. Mask use was higher among vaccinated than unvaccinated participants across the study period, regardless of the month of the first dose. Mask use remained relatively stable from December 2020 through April (range 71-80% unvaccinated; 86-93% vaccinated) and declined in both groups beginning in mid-May 2021 to 34% and 42% respectively in June 2021; mask use has increased again since July 2021. Mask use by all was lower during weekends and on Christmas and Easter, regardless of vaccination status. Independent predictors of higher mask use were vaccination, age >=65 years, female sex, racial or ethnic minority group, and healthcare worker occupation, whereas a history of self-reported prior COVID-19 illness was associated with lower use. Copyright The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license. |
Effectiveness of Four Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Kazakhstan (preprint)
Nabirova D , Horth R , Smagul M , Nukenova G , Yesmagambetova A , Singer D , Henderson A , Tsoy A . medRxiv 2022 18 BACKGROUND In February 2021 Kazakhstan began offering COVID-19 vaccines to adults. Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections raised concerns about real-world vaccine effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of four vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis among adults in Almaty using aggregated vaccination data and individual-level breakthrough COVID-19 cases (>=14 days from 2nd dose) using national surveillance data. We ran time-adjusted Cox-proportional-hazards model with sensitivity analysis accounting for varying entry into vaccinated cohort to assess vaccine effectiveness for each vaccine (measured as 1-adjusted hazard ratios) using the unvaccinated population as reference (N=565,390). We separately calculated daily cumulative hazards for COVID-19 breakthrough among vaccinated persons by age and vaccine month. RESULTS From February 22 to Sept 1, 2021 in Almaty, 747,558 (57%) adults were fully vaccinated (received 2 doses) and 108,324 COVID-19 cases (11,472 breakthrough) were registered. Vaccine effectiveness against infection was 78% (sensitivity estimates: 74-82%) for QazVac, 77% (72-81%) for Sputnik V, 71% (69-72%) for Hayat-Vax, and 69% (64-72%) for CoronaVac. Among vaccinated persons, the 90-day follow-up cumulative hazard for breakthrough infection was 2.2%. Cumulative hazard was 2.9% among people aged >=60 years versus 1.9% among persons aged 18-39 years (p<0.001), and 1.2% for people vaccinated in February-May versus 3.3% in June-August (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Our analysis demonstrates high effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against infection in Almaty similar to other observational studies. Higher cumulative hazard of breakthrough among people >60 years of age and during variant surges warrants targeted booster vaccination campaigns. Copyright The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license. |
Incidence Rates of Medically Attended COVID-19 in Infants Less than 6 Months of Age (preprint)
Griffin I , Irving SA , Arriola CS , Campbell AP , Li DK , Dawood FS , Doughty-Skierski C , Ferber JR , Ferguson N , Hadden L , Henderson JT , Juergens M , Kancharla V , Naleway AL , Newes-Adeyi G , Nicholson E , Odouli R , Reichle L , Sanyang M , Woodworth K , Munoz FM . medRxiv 2022 30 Objective Studies suggest infants may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 relative to older children, but few data exist regarding the incidence of COVID-19 episodes and associated risk factors. We estimate incidence rates and describe characteristics associated with medically attended COVID-19 episodes among infants younger than 6 months of age. Methods We analyzed electronic medical record data from a cohort of infants born March 1, 2020-February 28, 2021. Data from three health care delivery systems included demographic characteristics, maternal and infant outpatient visit and hospitalization diagnoses, and SARSCoV-2 test results. Medically attended COVID-19 episodes were defined by positive SARSCoV-2 clinical tests and/or COVID-19 diagnosis codes during medical care visits. Unadjusted and site-adjusted incidence rates by infant month of age, low and high SARS-CoV-2 circulation periods and maternal COVID-19 diagnosis were calculated. Results Among 18,192 infants aged <6 months whose mothers received prenatal care within the three systems, 173 (1.0%) had medically attended COVID-19 episodes. Incidence rates were highest among infants aged under 1 month (2.0 per 1,000 person-weeks) and 1 month (2.0 per 1,000 person-weeks) compared with older infants. Incidence rates were also higher for infants born to women with postpartum COVID-19 compared with women without known COVID-19 and women diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy. Conclusion Most medically attended COVID-19 episodes in infants aged <6 months were outpatient care encounters. Infants of women with postpartum COVID-19 had a higher risk of medically attended COVID-19 than infants born to mothers who were diagnosed during pregnancy or never diagnosed underscoring the importance of COVID-19 prevention measures for their household members and caregivers to prevent infections in infants. Copyright The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license. |
Effectiveness of four vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2021: retrospective population-based cohort study
Nabirova D , Horth R , Smagul M , Nukenova G , Yesmagambetova A , Singer D , Henderson A , Tsoy A . Front Public Health 2023 11 1205159 BACKGROUND: In February 2021 Kazakhstan began offering COVID-19 vaccines to adults. Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections raised concerns about real-world vaccine effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of four vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis among adults in Almaty using aggregated vaccination data and individual-level breakthrough COVID-19 cases (≥14 days from 2nd dose) using national surveillance data. We ran time-adjusted Cox-proportional-hazards model with sensitivity analysis accounting for varying entry into vaccinated cohort to assess vaccine effectiveness for each vaccine (measured as 1-adjusted hazard ratios) using the unvaccinated population as reference (N = 565,390). We separately calculated daily cumulative hazards for COVID-19 breakthrough among vaccinated persons by age and vaccination month. RESULTS: From February 22 to September 1, 2021, in Almaty, 747,558 (57%) adults were fully vaccinated (received 2 doses), and 108,324 COVID-19 cases (11,472 breakthrough) were registered. Vaccine effectiveness against infection was 79% [sensitivity estimates (SE): 74%-82%] for QazVac, 77% (SE: 71%-81%) for Sputnik V, 71% (SE: 69%-72%) for Hayat-Vax, and 70% (SE: 65%-72%) for CoronaVac. Among vaccinated persons, the 90-day follow-up cumulative hazard for breakthrough infection was 2.2%. Cumulative hazard was 2.9% among people aged ≥60 years versus 1.9% among persons aged 18-39 years (p < 0.001), and 1.2% for people vaccinated in February-May versus 3.3% in June-August (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrates high effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against infection in Almaty similar to other observational studies. Higher cumulative hazard of breakthrough among people ≥60 years of age and during variant surges warrants targeted booster vaccination campaigns. |
Voices of Black talent in chemistry: Retention strategies and personal success stories
Scott T , Adderley D , Ali Y , Amanuel M , Blake A , Callender M , Carter C , Fokwa HD , Gooden RO , Granger A , Gunn K , Henderson A , Kitimet M , Modeste E , Stewart Z , Teah J , Wairegi S , Ward LW , Parish CA . J Am Chem Soc 2023 145 (23) 12426-12428 Juneteenth, a federal holiday officially recognized in 2021, is celebrated annually in the United States to honor the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. As a symbol of racial justice, equality, and equity, Juneteenth represents an opportunity to pay tribute to the achievements of a wide range of Black chemistry students and the initiatives taken to promote the success of every student within an environment that has historically not been inclusive. | | While the U.S. STEM workforce has become more diverse in the past 10 years, Black people continue to be underrepresented in science, and in chemistry, in particular. The recent National Science Foundation report Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities 2023 shows that only 9% of the STEM workforce identifies as Black, 3 percentage points (roughly 7.7M people (1)) lower than their overall representation in the adult U.S. population. (2) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a similar picture─in 2022 only 10% of the chemical manufacturing workforce was Black. (3) Chemical & Engineering News culled the chemistry data from the 2023 NSF report revealing even bleaker figures─in 2021, Black people comprised only 4.4% of employed chemists, (4) and were more likely to occupy lower paying STEM jobs that do not require a college degree. (2) | | Recent publications have emphasized the importance of scientists and scientific institutions welcoming and supporting the development of individuals from groups historically marginalized in fields such as chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, and physics. (5) Not only is such intentional support a moral imperative, but numerous reports have demonstrated that increasing diversity and inclusion in these fields leads to a more innovative and productive scientific community. (6) | | Marginalized groups often face systemic barriers to accessing education and career opportunities, resulting in a chemical workforce that lacks diversity. To address this, chemists and chemistry organizations have taken steps to actively support and mentor individuals from historically excluded groups, providing access to resources and opportunities, and promoting a culture of inclusivity in academia and the workplace. For instance, since 1965, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Project Seed program has provided summer research experiences for more than 11,000 high school students, while the ACS Scholars program has provided renewable scholarships for more than 3,500 undergraduates interested in chemistry-related careers. |
Factors associated with hospitalization with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 among pregnant individuals: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Arriola CS , Li DK , Munoz F , Daugherty M , Doughty-Skierski C , Ellington S , Ferber J , Ferguson N , Greenberg M , Hadden L , Henderson JT , Irving SA , Juergens M , Kancharla V , Naleway AL , Newes-Adeyi G , Nicholson E , Odouli R , Reichle L , Sanyang M , Dawood FS . Open Forum Infect Dis 2022 9(7) (no pagination) Background: Pregnant individuals are at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization and death, and primary and booster COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for this population. Method(s): Among a cohort of pregnant individuals who received prenatal care at 3 healthcare systems in the United States, we estimated the cumulative incidence of hospitalization with symptomatic COVID-19 illness. We also identified factors associated with COVID-19 hospitalization using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model with pregnancy weeks as the timescale and a time-varying adjustor that accounted for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 circulation; model covariates included site, age, race, ethnicity, insurance status, prepregnancy weight status, and selected underlying medical conditions. Data were collected primarily through medical record extraction. Result(s): Among 19 456 pregnant individuals with an estimated due date during 1 March 2020-28 February 2021, 75 (0.4%) were hospitalized with symptomatic COVID-19. Factors associated with hospitalization for symptomatic COVID-19 were Hispanic ethnicity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.7 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.3-5.5]), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander race (aHR, 12 [95% CI, 3.2-45.5]), age <25 years (aHR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.3-7.6]), prepregnancy obesity (aHR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-3.9]), diagnosis of a metabolic disorder (aHR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.2-3.8]), lung disease excluding asthma (aHR, 49 [95% CI, 28-84]), and cardiovascular disease (aHR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.5-4.7]). Conclusion(s): Although hospitalization with symptomatic COVID-19 was uncommon, pregnant individuals should be aware of risk factors associated with severe illness when considering COVID-19 vaccination. Copyright © 2022 Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US. |
Notes from the Field: Legionnaires disease in a U.S. traveler after staying in a private vacation rental house in the U.S. Virgin Islands - United States, February 2022
Mac VV , Labgold K , Moline HL , Smith JC , Carroll J , Clemmons N , Edens C , Ellis B , Harrison C , Henderson KC , Ishaq MK , Kozak-Muiznieks NA , Kunz J , Lawrence M , Lucas CE , Walker HL , Willby MJ , Ellis EM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (20) 564-565 On February 1, 2022, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Health (VIDOH) was notified of a confirmed case of Legionnaires disease in an adult U.S. resident (Figure). The patient, a man aged 55 years, returned to his U.S. state of residence from leisure travel in USVI on January 22 and developed a cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue on January 23. On January 29, he was hospitalized for shortness of breath and received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result at admission. The combination of the patient’s symptoms and recent travel history prompted administration of a urinary antigen test (UAT) for Legionnaires disease specific to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1); a positive result was returned on January 31. Inpatient treatment administered for COVID-19 pneumonia and Legionnaires disease included remdesivir, oral levofloxacin, oral and intravenous steroid therapy, and as-needed use of a bronchodilator inhaler and an expectorant. Remdesivir was discontinued during inpatient treatment because of elevated liver enzymes. The patient recovered and was discharged on February 2. |
Severity of Disease Among Adults Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Before and During the Period of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Predominance - COVID-NET, 14 States, January-August 2021.
Taylor CA , Patel K , Pham H , Whitaker M , Anglin O , Kambhampati AK , Milucky J , Chai SJ , Kirley PD , Alden NB , Armistead I , Meek J , Yousey-Hindes K , Anderson EJ , Openo KP , Teno K , Weigel A , Monroe ML , Ryan PA , Henderson J , Nunez VT , Bye E , Lynfield R , Poblete M , Smelser C , Barney GR , Spina NL , Bennett NM , Popham K , Billing LM , Shiltz E , Abdullah N , Sutton M , Schaffner W , Talbot HK , Ortega J , Price A , Garg S , Havers FP , COVID-NET Surveillance Team . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (43) 1513-1519 In mid-June 2021, B.1.671.2 (Delta) became the predominant variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, circulating in the United States. As of July 2021, the Delta variant was responsible for nearly all new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the United States.* The Delta variant is more transmissible than previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants (1); however, whether it causes more severe disease in adults has been uncertain. Data from the CDC COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), a population-based surveillance system for COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, were used to examine trends in severe outcomes in adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 during periods before (January-June 2021) and during (July-August 2021) Delta variant predominance. COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates among all adults declined during January-June 2021 (pre-Delta period), before increasing during July-August 2021 (Delta period). Among sampled nonpregnant hospitalized COVID-19 patients with completed medical record abstraction and a discharge disposition during the pre-Delta period, the proportion of patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), or died while hospitalized did not significantly change from the pre-Delta period to the Delta period. The proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were aged 18-49 years significantly increased, from 24.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.2%-26.3%) of all hospitalizations in the pre-Delta period, to 35.8% (95% CI = 32.1%-39.5%, p<0.01) during the Delta period. When examined by vaccination status, 71.8% of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in the Delta period were in unvaccinated adults. Adults aged 18-49 years accounted for 43.6% (95% CI = 39.1%-48.2%) of all hospitalizations among unvaccinated adults during the Delta period. No difference was observed in ICU admission, receipt of IMV, or in-hospital death among nonpregnant hospitalized adults between the pre-Delta and Delta periods. However, the proportion of unvaccinated adults aged 18-49 years hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased as the Delta variant has become more predominant. Lower vaccination coverage in this age group likely contributed to the increase in hospitalized patients during the Delta period. COVID-19 vaccination is critical for all eligible adults, including those aged <50 years who have relatively low vaccination rates compared with older adults. |
Update on Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Outbreaks - Worldwide, January 2021-December 2022.
Bigouette JP , Henderson E , Traoré MA , Wassilak SGF , Jorba J , Mahoney F , Bolu O , Diop OM , Burns CC . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (14) 366-371 Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks* can occur when oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV, containing one or more Sabin-strain serotypes 1, 2, and 3) strains undergo prolonged circulation in under-vaccinated populations, resulting in genetically reverted neurovirulent virus (1,2). Following declaration of the eradication of wild poliovirus type 2 in 2015 and the global synchronized switch from trivalent OPV (tOPV, containing Sabin-strain types 1, 2, and 3) to bivalent OPV (bOPV, containing types 1 and 3 only) for routine immunization activities(†) in April 2016 (3), cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks have been reported worldwide (4). During 2016-2020, immunization responses to cVDPV2 outbreaks required use of Sabin-strain monovalent OPV2, but new VDPV2 emergences could occur if campaigns did not reach a sufficiently high proportion of children. Novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a more genetically stable vaccine than Sabin OPV2, was developed to address the risk for reversion to neurovirulence and became available in 2021. Because of the predominant use of nOPV2 during the reporting period, supply replenishment has frequently been insufficient for prompt response campaigns (5). This report describes global cVDPV outbreaks during January 2021-December 2022 (as of February 14, 2023) and updates previous reports (4). During 2021-2022, there were 88 active cVDPV outbreaks, including 76 (86%) caused by cVDPV2. cVDPV outbreaks affected 46 countries, 17 (37%) of which reported their first post-switch cVDPV2 outbreak. The total number of paralytic cVDPV cases during 2020-2022 decreased by 36%, from 1,117 to 715; however, the proportion of all cVDPV cases that were caused by cVDPV type 1 (cVDPV1) increased from 3% in 2020 to 18% in 2022, including the occurrence of cocirculating cVDPV1 and cVDPV2 outbreaks in two countries. The increased proportion of cVDPV1 cases follows a substantial decrease in global routine immunization coverage and suspension of preventive immunization campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) (6); outbreak responses in some countries were also suboptimal. Improving routine immunization coverage, strengthening poliovirus surveillance, and conducting timely and high-quality supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in response to cVDPV outbreaks are needed to interrupt cVDPV transmission and reach the goal of no cVDPV isolations in 2024. |
Travel history among persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United States, December 2020-February 2021.
Dunajcik A , Haire K , Thomas JD , Moriarty LF , Springer Y , Villanueva JM , MacNeil A , Silk B , Nemhauser JB , Byrkit R , Taylor M , Queen K , Tong S , Lee J , Batra D , Paden C , Henderson T , Kunkes A , Ojo M , Firestone M , Martin Webb L , Freeland M , Brown CM , Williams T , Allen K , Kauerauf J , Wilson E , Jain S , McDonald E , Silver E , Stous S , Wadford D , Radcliffe R , Marriott C , Owes JP , Bart SM , Sosa LE , Oakeson K , Wodniak N , Shaffner J , Brown Q , Westergaard R , Salinas A , Hallyburton S , Ogale Y , Offutt-Powell T , Bonner K , Tubach S , Van Houten C , Hughes V , Reeb V , Galeazzi C , Khuntia S , McGee S , Hicks JT , Dinesh Patel D , Krueger A , Hughes S , Jeanty F , Wang JC , Lee EH , Assanah-Deane T , Tompkins M , Dougherty K , Naqvi O , Donahue M , Frederick J , Abdalhamid B , Powers AM , Anderson M . PLOS Glob Public Health 2023 3 (3) e0001252 The first three SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic lineages classified as variants of concern (VOCs) in the United States (U.S.) from December 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1) lineages, were initially detected internationally. This investigation examined available travel history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported in the U.S. in whom laboratory testing showed one of these initial VOCs. Travel history, demographics, and health outcomes for a convenience sample of persons infected with a SARS-CoV-2 VOC from December 15, 2020 through February 28, 2021 were provided by 35 state and city health departments, and proportion reporting travel was calculated. Of 1,761 confirmed VOC cases analyzed, 1,368 had available data on travel history. Of those with data on travel history, 1,168 (85%) reported no travel preceding laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and only 105 (8%) reported international travel during the 30 days preceding a positive SARS-CoV-2 test or symptom onset. International travel was reported by 92/1,304 (7%) of persons infected with the Alpha variant, 7/55 (22%) with Beta, and 5/9 (56%) with Gamma. Of the first three SARS-CoV-2 lineages designated as VOCs in the U.S., international travel was common only among the few Gamma cases. Most persons infected with Alpha and Beta variant reported no travel history, therefore, community transmission of these VOCs was likely common in the U.S. by March 2021. These findings underscore the importance of global surveillance using whole genome sequencing to detect and inform mitigation strategies for emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. |
Vaccine-derived poliovirus serotype 2 outbreaks and response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017-2021.
Alleman MM , Jorba J , Riziki Y , Henderson E , Mwehu A , Seakamela L , Howard W , Kadiobo Mbule A , Nsamba RN , Djawe K , Yapi MD , Mengouo MN , Gumede N , Ndoutabe M , Kfutwah AKW , Senouci K , Burns CC . Vaccine 2023 41 Suppl 1 A35-A47 Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) can emerge from Sabin strain poliovirus serotypes 1, 2, and 3 contained in oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) after prolonged person-to-person transmission where population vaccination immunity against polioviruses is suboptimal. VDPVs can cause paralysis indistinguishable from wild polioviruses and outbreaks when community circulation ensues. VDPV serotype 2 outbreaks (cVDPV2) have been documented in The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 2005. The nine cVDPV2 outbreaks detected during 2005-2012 were geographically-limited and resulted in 73 paralysis cases. No outbreaks were detected during 2013-2016. During January 1, 2017-December 31, 2021, 19 cVDPV2 outbreaks were detected in DRC. Seventeen of the 19 (including two first detected in Angola) resulted in 235 paralysis cases notified in 84 health zones in 18 of DRC's 26 provinces; no notified paralysis cases were associated with the remaining two outbreaks. The DRC-KAS-3 cVDPV2 outbreak that circulated during 2019-2021, and resulted in 101 paralysis cases in 10 provinces, was the largest recorded in DRC during the reporting period in terms of numbers of paralysis cases and geographic expanse. The 15 outbreaks occurring during 2017-early 2021 were successfully controlled with numerous supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) using monovalent OPV Sabin-strain serotype 2 (mOPV2); however, suboptimal mOPV2 vaccination coverage appears to have seeded the cVDPV2 emergences detected during semester 2, 2018 through 2021. Use of the novel OPV serotype 2 (nOPV2), designed to have greater genetic stability than mOPV2, should help DRC's efforts in controlling the more recent cVDPV2 outbreaks with a much lower risk of further seeding VDPV2 emergence. Improving nOPV2 SIA coverage should decrease the number of SIAs needed to interrupt transmission. DRC needs the support of polio eradication and Essential Immunization (EI) partners to accelerate the country's ongoing initiatives for EI strengthening, introduction of a second dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) to increase protection against paralysis, and improving nOPV2 SIA coverage. |
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