Pediatric influenza-associated deaths in new york state: death certificate coding and comparison to laboratory-confirmed deaths.

Introduction. Surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths in children is used to monitor the severity of influenza at the population level and to inform influenza prevention and control policies. The goal of this study was to better estimate pediatric influenza mortality in New York state (NYS).

Rabid foxes, rabid raccoons, and the odds of a human bite exposure, New York State, 1999-2007.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that rabid foxes are more likely to attack humans than are other rabid terrestrial animals. To examine this issue, we analyzed rabies surveillance data (1999-2007) maintained by the New York State Department of Health. Compared to rabid raccoons (Procyon lotor), foxes infected with raccoon variant rabies were more likely to bite during a human exposure incident (P<0.

Two distinct surveillance methods to track hospitalized influenza patients in New York State during the 2009-2010 influenza season.

Objective: To better understand the severity of 2009 H1N1 influenza disease, enhanced surveillance of patients hospitalized with influenza was conducted during the 2009-2010 influenza season in New York State through existing Emerging Infections Program surveillance and a newly established sentinel hospital surveillance program. The 2 surveillance systems were compared to determine consistency across surveillance modalities and reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each to accomplish comprehensive influenza surveillance.

Design: Similar variables from the aggregate data collected from each system were compared and differences were analyzed in detail.

A process evaluation of an active surveillance system for hospitalized 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza cases.

Objectives: A process evaluation was conducted to evaluate a newly established active influenza surveillance program that utilized 6 sentinel hospitals to collect epidemiologic information for influenza-like illness admissions. Objectives were to determine whether the new system was implemented successfully and met surveillance objectives, including determination of the proportion of patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza, extent of disease severity, and identifying high-risk groups.

Methods: Timeliness and data quality were assessed through analysis of electronic case report form completion and timing of specimen collection and submission to public health laboratories for influenza testing.

Factors associated with endemic raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in terrestrial mammals in New York State, USA.

This study evaluated characteristics associated with raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in New York State (NYS), USA, where this disease has been endemic for the last 15 years. The study included 4448 cases of raccoon rabies in terrestrial mammals reported across 1639 census tracts of NYS during 1997-2003. A Poisson-regression model with census tract-year as the unit of analysis revealed a higher number of raccoon-variant rabies cases per square kilometer in census tracts with each percent increase in the proportion of low-intensity residential areas (those with a lower concentration of housing units) (RR=7.

ORF virus infection in children: clinical characteristics, transmission, diagnostic methods, and future therapeutics.

Orf virus leads to self-limited, subacute cutaneous infections in children who have occupational or recreational contact with infected small ruminants. Breaches in the integument and contact with animals recently vaccinated for orf may be important risk factors in transmission. Common childhood behaviors are likely important factors in the provocation of significant contact (ie, bites) or in unusual lesion location (eg, facial lesions).

Spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon rabies adjusted for multiple covariates.

Background: With the objective of identifying spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon variant rabies, a spatial scan statistic was utilized to search for significant terrestrial rabies clusters by year in New York State in 1997-2003. Cluster analyses were unadjusted for other factors, adjusted for covariates, and adjusted for covariates and large scale geographic variation (LSGV). Adjustments were intended to identify the unusual aggregations of cases given the expected distribution based on the observed locations.

Potential cost savings with terrestrial rabies control.

Background: The cost-benefit of raccoon rabies control strategies such as oral rabies vaccination (ORV) are under evaluation. As an initial quantification of the potential cost savings for a control program, the collection of selected rabies cost data was pilot tested for five counties in New York State (NYS) in a three-year period.

Methods: Rabies costs reported to NYS from the study counties were computerized and linked to a human rabies exposure database.

Rabies virus infection in a pet guinea pig and seven pet rabbits.

Raccoon-variant rabies was confirmed in 7 pet rabbits and 1 pet guinea pig in New York State, and postexposure treatment was required in several adults and children. To prevent rabies virus infection, domestic rabbits and pet rodents should be protected from contact with wild animals, including double-cage housing when housed outside. Pet rabbits or rodents with any possible contact with a wild animal, particularly if the rabbit or rodent had wounds of unknown origin, should be quarantined for 6 months for observation, to prevent escape, and to avoid contact with humans, who will require treatment if the rabbit or rodent develops rabies.

Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak associated with veterinary clinic.

A Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium outbreak was associated with a veterinary clinic. Confirmed cases were in one cat, two veterinary technicians, four persons associated with clinic patients, and a nurse not linked to the clinic. This outbreak emphasizes the importance of strong public health ties to the animal health community.

Rickettsialpox in New York City: a persistent urban zoonosis.

Rickettsialpox, a spotted fever rickettsiosis, was first identified in New York City (NYC) in 1946. During the next five years, approximately 540 additional cases were identified in NYC. However, during the subsequent five decades, rickettsialpox received relatively little attention from clinicians and public health professionals, and reporting of the disease diminished markedly.