CDC Warnings & Updates: March 3-10, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
JC Jones MA RN
Food Safety:
- Gourmet Boutique of N.Y. is voluntarily recalling almost 7000 lbs. of meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were released February 26 & 27, 2008 bearing the production code "GBD 08058" on the package. The products shipped to retail vendors in:
- Connecticut, Massachusetts
- Florida, South Carolina, Georgia
- New Jersey,New York, Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin, Minnesota
- Costco Wholesale (Issaquah, WA) is voluntarily recalling over 10,000 lbs. of frozen chicken entrees (4-pack 12 oz. packages of Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice) that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The food products were produced on October 18, 2007, bearing the item number "2880" on the UPC sticker and were shipped to retail vendors in:
- Alaska
- Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington State
A shortage of Hib vaccine has been reported and clinicians are being asked to not give the vaccine booster to healthy children 12-15 months of age, while continuing regular vaccination schedule for children under 12 months of age and for high-risk children (HIV, asplenia, sickle cell disease, immune system syndromes or Alaskan and Native American children). Keep track of children who miss the vaccination and vaccinate them when the supply of the Hib vaccine improves.
Ricin
The Ricin incident in Las Vegas on 2/29/08 has prompted renewed concern about the substance and how to handle it. The CDC has a comprehensive website dedicated to Ricin. Most relevant for clinicians is an 88 page manual, Response to a Ricin Incident: Guidelines for Federal, State and Local Public Health and Medical Officials.
Seasonal Flu
The good news is that influenza activity is decreasing in the US. The bad news is that deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza continues to be above the epidemic threshold for the eighth consecutive week.
- Tamiflu: Roche and the FDA have informed of neuropsychiatric events associated with the use of Tamiflu in patients with influenza. These events were noted primarily in pediatric patients and had an abrupt onset with rapid resolution. Monitor flu patients receiving Tamiflu carefully for signs of abnormal behavior. There have been some reports of delirium and death, but the relationship to Tamiflu is unclear.
Egypt reported a new case of an 11 year old with H5N1 virus infection. In 2008, 3 cases have been confirmed in Egypt resulting in 1 death. Indonesia has reported 12 cases in 2008 with 10 deaths, and Vietnam has had 4 reported cases, with 4 deaths.
Travelers' Health
- Paraguay: Yellow fever vaccination is now recommended for all travelers older than 9 months who travel to Paraguay, due to a resurgence identified yellow fever outbreak. A total of 22 cases resulting in 6 deaths have been confirmed by the Paraguay Ministry of Health.
- Brazil: the Brazilian Ministry of Health has issued a yellow fever disease alert due to 35 confirmed cases resulting in 19 deaths. Most of Brazil is considered an area of risk and a vaccination is recommended. See the CDC website for further guidance.
- Argentina: has reported the first human case of yellow fever. One of 17 monkeys found to be infected with the virus. Argentinian health officials are increasing yellow fever vaccination in humans living in the area.
- The CDC reminds all travelers to these areas to use mosquito repellent with DEET and to wear long sleeved shirts and pants when out of doors.
Labels: CDC, flu, travelers health, vaccines
