Mask-wearing and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Face masks have become commonplace across the USA because of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic. Although evidence suggests that masks help to curb the spread of the disease, there is little empirical research at the population level. We investigate the association between self-reported mask-wearing, physical distancing, and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA, along with the effect of statewide mandates on mask uptake.

Mask Wearing and Control of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in the United States.

Introduction: Cloth face coverings and surgical masks have become commonplace across the United States in response to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. While evidence suggests masks help curb the spread of respiratory pathogens, population level, empirical research remains limited. Face masks have quickly become a topic of public debate as government mandates have started requiring their use.

Surveillance in eradication and elimination of infectious diseases: a progression through the years.

During the years since certification of smallpox eradication, the power of infectious disease surveillance has been greatly increased by new biotechnical and electronic technologies. These technologies have transformed the way that surveillance can be used to contribute to public health, and to infectious disease eradication and elimination. In addition to permitting precise geographical placement of infections by incorporating the most up to date geographical positioning systems, infectious disease surveillance can now also provide more comprehensive understanding of the spread and risks of infections because of genomic sequencing that leads to more meaningful epidemiological analysis.

Detecting influenza epidemics using search engine query data.

Seasonal influenza epidemics are a major public health concern, causing tens of millions of respiratory illnesses and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. In addition to seasonal influenza, a new strain of influenza virus against which no previous immunity exists and that demonstrates human-to-human transmission could result in a pandemic with millions of fatalities. Early detection of disease activity, when followed by a rapid response, can reduce the impact of both seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Expert judgments of pandemic influenza risks.

Structured surveys were conducted with 19 medical experts, and 17 non-medical experts in related fields, attending a meeting about pandemic influenza. Respondents gave quantitative judgments for key variables potentially affecting the extent of a possible H5N1 pandemic. The medical experts saw about a 15% (median) chance of efficient human-to-human transmission, in the next 3 years.

Perianal streptococcal dermatitis.

Perianal streptococcal dermatitis is a bright red, sharply demarcated rash that is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Symptoms include perianal rash, itching and rectal pain; blood-streaked stools may also be seen in one third of patients. It primarily occurs in children between six months and 10 years of age and is often misdiagnosed and treated inappropriately.

Successful resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest following deliberate inhalation of Freon refrigerant gas.

Presented is a case of successful resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest following inhalation of a fluorinated hydrocarbon. Fluorinated hydrocarbons have a direct cardiotoxic effect. We found no previous reports describing resuscitation with good neurologic outcome of a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest subsequent to inhalation of a fluorinated hydrocarbon.

Epidemiology of blindness in Nepal.

This report presents the major findings of the Nepal Blindness Survey, the first nationwide epidemiological survey of blindness, which was conducted in 1979-80. The survey was designed to gather data that could be used to estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in the country. Ancillary studies were conducted to obtain information on socioeconomic correlates and other risk factors of blinding conditions and patterns of health care utilization.

Reliability of ophthalmic diagnoses in an epidemiologic survey.

In the Nepal Blindness Survey, 39,887 people in 105 sites were examined by 10 ophthalmologists from Nepal and four other countries during 1981. Ophthalmic protocols were pretested on approximately 3000 subjects; however, interobserver variability was inevitable. To quantify the amount of variability and assess the reliability of important ophthalmic measures, a study of interobserver agreement was conducted.

Associations among cataract prevalence, sunlight hours, and altitude in the Himalayas.

The relationship between cataract prevalence, altitude, and sunlight hours was investigated in a large national probability sample survey of 105 sites in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, December 1980 through April 1981. Cataract of senile or unknown etiology was diagnosed by ophthalmologists in 873 of 30,565 full-time life-long residents of survey sites. Simultaneously, the altitude of sites was measured using a standard mountain altimeter.

Testing for polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk.

Reports of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination of human milk have raised questions about the possible risks of breast-feeding and whether nursing mothers ought to have their breast milk tested. Current data on contamination of human milk are needed so that pediatricians can make informed recommendations about breast milk testing and breast-feeding. With consideration of recent findings of PCB contamination of human milk in Michigan, recommendations concerning breast milk testing and breast-feeding are made.

Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of nursing mothers' milk in Michigan.

The problem of environmental contamination by toxic substances and human exposure to these substances has attracted increased attention in recent years. Particular concern has centered on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have become widespread environmental pollutants as well as contaminants of the human population. This paper reports data from a study of PCB contamination of nursing mothers' breast milk in Michigan.

Is the diagnosis of "mass hysteria" an excuse for incomplete investigation of low-level environmental contamination?

"Mass hysteria" is an epidemic diagnostic term used to characterize unexplained outbreaks of syncope among women. A syncope outbreak among women in a meeting in a rural area of Michigan prompted an intense investigation for etiology. Low levels of ozone; carbon monoxide, and pentane were found associated with the outbreak.

Occupationally-acquired smallpox in an IgM-deficient health worker.

A 21-year-old Indian who worked as a vaccinator in the smallpox programme developed an atypical case of variola major despite several previous, successful vaccinations. The clinical course of the disease was unusual, as there were two distinctly separate "crops" of smallpox. The disease began less than one month after a successful vaccination, which therefore gave the briefest period of protection recorded for this reliable immunization.

Breast-milk monitoring to measure Michigan's contamination with polybrominated biphenyls.

In 1973 and 1974, several thousand Michigan dairy farms were contaminated by polybrominated biphenyls (P.B.B.

Certification of smallpox eradication.

The world's last known case of smallpox resulting from human-to-human transmission in an endemic focus occurred in Somalia in October 1977, and there remains the task of documenting the global eradication of the disease and establishing the safety of vaccination. Those countries as yet uncertified have been grouped into four categories according to the procedures recommended for their certification. An important criterion for deciding the type of procedure is how recently smallpox was endemic in a particular country.