Outbreak of lower respiratory tract illness associated with human enterovirus 68 among American Indian children.

Human enterovirus 68 (EV68) infections are rarely reported. We describe a respiratory outbreak associated with EV68 among 18 children admitted to a remote Indian Health Service facility during August 11, 2010 through September 14, 2010. Clinical illness was characterized by pneumonia and wheezing.

The effect of age on transmission of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in a camp and associated households.

Background: A major portion of influenza disease burden during the 2009 pandemic was observed among young people.

Methods: We examined the effect of age on the transmission of influenza-like illness associated with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (pH1N1) for an April-May 2009 outbreak among youth-camp participants and household contacts in Washington State.

Results: An influenza-like illness attack rate of 51% was found among 96 camp participants.

Hepatitis C virus infections from unsafe injection practices at an endoscopy clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2007-2008.

Background: In January 2008, 3 persons with acute hepatitis C who all underwent endoscopy at a single facility in Nevada were identified.

Method: We reviewed clinical and laboratory data from initially detected cases of acute hepatitis C and reviewed infection control practices at the clinic where case patients underwent endoscopy. Persons who underwent procedures on days when the case patients underwent endoscopy were tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and other bloodborne pathogens.

Outbreak of pneumonia associated with emergent human adenovirus serotype 14--Southeast Alaska, 2008.

Background: In September 2008, an outbreak of pneumonia associated with an emerging human adenovirus (human adenovirus serotype 14 [HAdV-14]) occurred on a rural Southeast Alaska island. Nine patients required hospitalization, and 1 patient died.

Methods: To investigate the outbreak, pneumonia case patients were matched to control participants on the basis of age, sex, and community of residence.

Impact of routine hepatitis B immunization on the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the marshall islands and the federated States of micronesia.

Background: To evaluate the impact of routine hepatitis B (HB) vaccination on the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among children in Pacific Island countries where HBV infection was highly endemic, we conducted HB serosurveys during 2000 to 2007 among women of childbearing age born before implementation of HB vaccination and among children born after its implementation.

Methods: Serum specimens were collected from children aged 2 to 6 years and their mothers in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia in 2000, children aged 2 to 9 years and their mothers in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia in 2005, and 5- to 9-year-old children and prenatal clinic patients in 2007 in Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Specimens were tested for HB surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HB core antigen (total anti-HBc).

The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus infections in four Pacific Island nations, 1995-2008.

Historically, hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been highly prevalent in developing countries, with most infections occurring during childhood, when they are likely to be asymptomatic. Shifts in the acquisition of infection from childhood to adulthood, when clinical hepatitis is more likely, may leave populations vulnerable to large outbreaks. We conducted cross-sectional serosurveys from 1995 to 2008 in four Pacific Island nations to determine the proportion of people previously infected with HAV by measuring antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV).

Hepatitis A among international adoptees and their contacts.

We identified 27 cases of hepatitis A among international adoptees (5 persons), their direct or indirect contacts (20 persons), and unvaccinated travelers to the adoptees' countries (2 persons). Most cases occurred among nontraveling contacts of adoptees, suggesting the need to extend prevention guidelines to include hepatitis A vaccination for at-risk nontravelers.