Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infections in Humans.

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses have caused widespread infections in dairy cows and poultry in the United States, with sporadic human cases. We describe characteristics of human A(H5N1) cases identified from March through October 2024 in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed data from persons with laboratory-confirmed A(H5N1) virus infection using a standardized case-report form linked to laboratory results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention influenza A/H5 subtyping kit.

Interim Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Against Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza - California, October 2023-January 2024.

Surveillance data can provide rapid, within-season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates to guide public health recommendations. Mandatory reporting of influenza vaccine administration to California's immunization information registry began January 1, 2023, and mandatory reporting of all influenza laboratory test results, including negative results, was instituted in California on June 15, 2023. These data, collected by the California Department of Public Health during October 1, 2023-January 31, 2024, were used to calculate interim influenza VE against laboratory-confirmed influenza by comparing the odds of vaccination among case-patients (persons who received a positive influenza laboratory test result) and control patients (those who received a negative influenza laboratory test result).

Evaluation of FluSight influenza forecasting in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with a new target laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations.

Accurate forecasts can enable more effective public health responses during seasonal influenza epidemics. Forecasting teams were asked to provide national and jurisdiction-specific probabilistic predictions of weekly confirmed influenza hospital admissions for one through four weeks ahead for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 influenza seasons. Across both seasons, 26 teams submitted forecasts, with the submitting teams varying between seasons.

Receipt of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines in California (USA) during the 2021-2022 influenza season.

Background: Despite lower circulation of influenza virus throughout 2020-2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal influenza vaccination has remained a primary tool to reduce influenza-associated illness and death. The relationship between the decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and/or an influenza vaccine is not well understood.

Methods: We assessed predictors of receipt of 2021-2022 influenza vaccine in a secondary analysis of data from a case-control study enrolling individuals who received SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Disparities in COVID-19 fatalities among working Californians.

Background: Information on U.S. COVID-19 mortality rates by occupation is limited.

Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 Co-infections in California, USA, September 2020-April 2021.

During September 1, 2020-April 30, 2021, the California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA, received 255 positive influenza molecular test results that matched with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 molecular test results; 58 (23%) persons were co-infected. Influenza activity was minimal in California, and co-infections were sporadic.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In COVID-19 Exposure Risk, Testing, And Cases At The Subcounty Level In California.

With a population of forty million and substantial geographic variation in sociodemographics and health services, California is an important setting in which to study disparities. Its population (37.5 percent White, 39.

Characteristics Associated With Delivery of an Infant With Congenital Syphilis and Missed Opportunities for Prevention-California, 2012 to 2014.

Background: Congenital syphilis (CS), the transmission of Treponema pallidum from mother to fetus during pregnancy, can cause adverse birth outcomes. In 2012 to 2014, the CS rate in California increased more than 200% from 6.6 to 20.

Risk Factors Associated With Infant Deaths From Pertussis: A Case-Control Study.

Background: In the current era, most pertussis deaths occur in infants <3 months of age. Leukocytosis with lymphocytosis and pneumonia are commonly observed among cases of severe pertussis.

Methods: Risk factors associated with fatal pertussis were identified by comparing fatal pertussis cases among patients <120 days of age occurring from 1 January 1998 through 26 December 2014, matched by age (<120 days), county of residence, and closest symptom onset date with 1-4 nonfatal hospitalized cases.

Pregnancy and severe influenza infection in the 2013-2014 influenza season.

Objective: To describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of critically ill pregnant and postpartum women with influenza infection reported in the 2013-2014 season.

Methods: The California Department of Public Health conducts surveillance for patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza who die or require hospitalization in intensive care units. For this case series, we reviewed data on pregnant and postpartum (6 weeks or less from delivery) women reported in the 2013-2014 influenza season.

Notes from the field: measles - California, January 1-April 18, 2014.

Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that can lead to severe complications and death. Even patients who experience uncomplicated acute measles have a small risk for developing a devastating neurologic illness, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, years after their infection. Measles was documented as eliminated (defined as interruption of continuous transmission lasting ≥12 months) in the United States in 2000; however, importation of measles cases and limited local transmission continue to occur.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae outbreak: unintended consequences of electronic medical records and using an out-of-state laboratory-California, July 2009-February 2010.

Twenty of 37 gonorrhea cases identified during an outbreak were diagnosed at one health care organization that used an out-of-state laboratory. The results were transmitted into electronic medical records without provider notification. Delays in treatment and reporting were identified.

Characteristics of Severe Bordetella pertussis Infection Among Infants ≤90 Days of Age Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units - Southern California, September 2009-June 2011.

Background: Bordetella pertussis infection can cause severe illness and death among young infants.

Methods: We collected demographic and clinical information from the medical records of infants who were ≤90 days of age and hospitalized for pertussis in 5 Southern California pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) from September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. Infants who died or were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension were considered to have more severe pertussis.

Exchange blood transfusion in the management of severe pertussis in young infants.

We analyzed data from 10 young infants who received exchange blood transfusions for management of severe pertussis. Our data are insufficient to address efficacy of the procedure, but our data, as well as previous reports in the literature, indicate that if the procedure is to be successful, it should be done before organ failure has occurred and immediately if shock/hypotension occur.

Internet-based morbidity and mortality surveillance among Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Georgia.

Introduction: The Internet has revolutionized the way public health surveillance is conducted. Georgia has used it for notifiable disease reporting, electronic outbreak management, and early event detection. We used it in our public health response to the 125,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who came to Georgia.

Influenza-associated deaths among children in the United States, 2003-2004.

Background: Although influenza is common among children, pediatric mortality related to laboratory-confirmed influenza has not been assessed nationally.

Methods: During the 2003-2004 influenza season, we requested that state health departments report any death associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza in a U.S.

Surveillance for influenza--United States, 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00 seasons.

Problem/condition: In the United States, influenza epidemics occur nearly every winter and are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality, including an average of approximately 114,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths/year.

Reporting Period: This report summarizes both actively and passively collected U.S.