Timeliness of enteric disease surveillance in 6 US states.

We reviewed timeline information for a sample of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp.

Common ground for the control of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in ground beef.

A strategy to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella in ground beef is urgently needed. A national multi-disciplinary meeting reviewed the epidemiology of MDR Salmonella infection and contamination in humans, animals, and retail meat. In spite of a recent overall decrease in human MDR Salmonella isolates, certain types, such as Salmonella enterica serotype Newport multidrug-resistant-AmpC strain and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type (DT) 104, have persisted, and several recent large outbreaks of human infection have occurred.

Assessment of perinatal hepatitis B and rubella prevention in New Hampshire delivery hospitals.

Objective: To evaluate current performance on recommended perinatal hepatitis B and rubella prevention practices in New Hampshire.

Methods: Data were extracted from 2021 paired mother-infant records for the year 2000 birth cohort in New Hampshire's 25 delivery hospitals. Assessment was done on the following: prenatal screening for hepatitis B and rubella, administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose to all infants, administration of hepatitis B immune globulin to infants who were born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive mothers, rubella immunity, and administration of in-hospital postpartum rubella vaccine to rubella nonimmune women.

Capacity of state and territorial health agencies to prevent foodborne illness.

The capacity of state and territorial health departments to investigate foodborne diseases was assessed by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists from 2001 to 2002 with a self-administered, Web-based survey. Forty-eight health departments responded (47 states and 1 territory). The primary reason for not conducting more active case surveillance of enteric disease is lack of staff, while the primary reasons for not investigating foodborne disease outbreaks are limited staff and delayed notification of the outbreak.

Lyme disease knowledge, beliefs, and practices of New Hampshire primary care physicians.

Background: Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States and is endemic in many counties in the Northeast, including counties in New Hampshire. Previous studies conducted elsewhere on Lyme disease have indicated substantial differences between physician practices and published consensus guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: During 1999, we mailed a 21-item questionnaire to 600 randomly selected family practice physicians, internists, and pediatricians in New Hampshire.