Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-3 (of 3 Records) |
Query Trace: Slaten DD[original query] |
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Influenza surveillance on cruise ships
Bell TR , Kornylo Duong K , Finelli L , Slaten DD . Am J Prev Med 2014 46 (3) 327-329 Acute respiratory illness, ranging from the common cold to the influenza virus, affects people worldwide. In the U.S., roughly 3000–49,000 people die annually because of complications from influenza.1 Acute respiratory illness is common among international travelers. Respiratory illness is specifically problematic on cruise ships, estimated at approximately 27% of all recorded illnesses.2 The spread of influenza on cruise ships is a particular problem for several reasons. First, the grouping of several thousand people on board for a week or more allows considerable mixing of infected and susceptible individuals. Second, itineraries often involve travel to tropical or semitropical destinations,3 where influenza may circulate year round.4 Third, crew members can be a source of continuing infection for new passenger cohorts as infections may remain on board from one cruise to the next. The popularity of cruise ship travel has been growing over the last decade. The Cruise Lines International Association reports that the average annual passenger growth from 1990 to 2010 was 7.6%.3 With passengers and crew coming together from all over the world, the potential for influenza transmission, with significant morbidity, is substantial. However, little attention has been given to routine influenza surveillance on cruise ships. |
Preventing maritime transfer of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae
Cohen NJ , Slaten DD , Marano N , Tappero JW , Wellman M , Albert RJ , Hill VR , Espey D , Handzel T , Henry A , Tauxe RV . Emerg Infect Dis 2012 18 (10) 1680-2 Organisms, including Vibrio cholerae, can be transferred between harbors in the ballast water of ships. Zones in the Caribbean region where distance from shore and water depth meet International Maritime Organization guidelines for ballast water exchange are extremely limited. Use of ballast water treatment systems could mitigate the risk for organism transfer. |
Management and control of varicella on cruise ships: a collaborative approach to promoting public health
Cramer EH , Slaten DD , Guerreiro A , Robbins D , Ganzon A . J Travel Med 2012 19 (4) 226-32 BACKGROUND: In most years varicella is the vaccine-preventable disease most frequently reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by cruise ships. Since 2005, CDC has received numerous isolated case reports of varicella among crew members and has investigated varicella outbreaks aboard vessels sailing into and from US seaports. METHODS: CDC investigators reviewed electronic varicella case reports from 2005 to 2009 and outbreak reports from 2009 to characterize the response and control efforts implemented by cruise ships in accordance with CDC protocols. Outbreak reports from 2009 were manually reviewed for details of case identification, contact investigations, isolation and restriction of cases and contacts, respectively, and number of contacts administered varicella vaccine post-exposure by cruise lines. RESULTS: During 2005 to 2009, cruise ships reported 278 cases of varicella to CDC among predominantly male (80%) crew members, three-quarters of whom were residents of Caribbean countries, Indonesia, the Philippines, or India, and whose median age was 29 years. Cases were more commonly reported during spring and winter months. During 2009, cruise ships reported 94 varicella cases among crew members of which 66 (70%) were associated with 18 reported varicella outbreaks. Outbreak response included isolation of 66 (100%) of 66 cases, restriction of 66 (26%) of 255 crew-contacts, and administration of post-exposure vaccine to 522 close contacts and other susceptible crew members per standard CDC recommendations. DISCUSSION: Most cases reported to CDC during 2005 to 2009 were among non-US resident crew members. Overall, cruise lines sailing into North America have the onboard capability to manage varicella cases and outbreaks and appear responsive to CDC recommendations. Cruise lines should continue to implement CDC-recommended response protocols to curtail outbreaks rapidly and should consider whether pre-placement varicella immunity screening and vaccination of crew members is a cost-effective option for their respective fleet operations. |
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