Intensity of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Deaths: A Correlation Study in Louisiana, 2000-2012.

Influenza infection has been linked to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with chronic disease, such as congestive heart failure (CHF). This correlation analysis used influenza surveillance data and vital statistics mortality data to assess the correlation between influenza-like illness (ILI) and CHF deaths in Louisiana from 2000-2012 on a weekly level and at the seasonal level. The correlation between ILI proportion and mean number of deaths for the entire study period was 0.

Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) Surveillance in Louisiana, 2013-2014.

The objectives of this article are to describe the severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) surveillance implemented in Louisiana during the 2013-2014 influenza season, present the epidemiology of reported SARI cases, and identify ways to improve this system by incorporating formal SARI surveillance into the influenza surveillance program. Of the 212 SARI cases, 181 (85%) had at least one underlying medical condition, 54 (25.7%) had two conditions, 43 (20.

Parkinson Disease Hospitalizations and Mortality in Louisiana, 1999-2012.

This study describes Parkinson Disease hospitalizations and deaths in the Louisiana population during the years 1999-2012. Data from the Louisiana Hospitalization Discharge Database (LAHIDD) were collected and analyzed by age, race, and gender and also compared to length of hospital stay and daily hospitalization cost.

The first association of a primary amebic meningoencephalitis death with culturable Naegleria fowleri in tap water from a US treated public drinking water system.

Background: Naegleria fowleri is a climate-sensitive, thermophilic ameba found in warm, freshwater lakes and rivers. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is almost universally fatal, occurs when N. fowleri-containing water enters the nose, typically during swimming, and migrates to the brain via the olfactory nerve.

Outbreak of Francisella novicida bacteremia among inmates at a louisiana correctional facility.

Background: Francisella novicida is a rare cause of human illness despite its close genetic relationship to Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia. During April-July 2011, 3 inmates at a Louisiana correctional facility developed F. novicida bacteremia; 1 inmate died acutely.

Investigating cancer clusters in Louisiana and interpreting results.

Physicians are often asked questions related to cancer frequency in their communities, particularly in Louisiana because of the perception of high cancer rates in this region. When individuals perceive a higher than normal rate of cancer in their geographic area, time frame, or group of people, questions about the potential role of environmental contamination are often raised. The purpose of this article is to educate clinicians about the concept of cancer clusters so they can further disseminate this knowledge to patients concerned about increased cancer frequency in their communities.

Respiratory syncytial virus-associated hospitalizations in Louisiana.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age worldwide. Records indicative of RSV cases were pulled from The Louisiana Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data based on RSV diagnosis codes to describe the burden of RSV infections in Louisiana from 1999 to 2010. Two thousand to three thousand hospitalized RSV cases occurred each year, with rates ranging from 37.

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis deaths associated with sinus irrigation using contaminated tap water.

Background: Naegleria fowleri is a climate-sensitive, thermophilic ameba found in the environment, including warm, freshwater lakes and rivers. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is almost universally fatal, occurs when N. fowleri-containing water enters the nose, typically during swimming, and N.

Adverse respiratory symptoms and environmental exposures among children and adolescents following Hurricane Katrina.

Objectives: Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to environmental exposures and their respiratory effects. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, residents experienced multiple adverse environmental exposures. We characterized the association between upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and lower respiratory symptoms (LRS) and environmental exposures among children and adolescents affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Clostridium difficile hospitalizations in Louisiana: a 10 year review.

Clostridium difficile (CD) is a common cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients and can cause more serious intestinal conditions such as pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, perforations of the colon, sepsis, and even death. Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) is mainly a health care associated illness. Known risk factors for CDAD are antibiotics, gastrointestinal surgery/manipulation, long length of stay in health care settings, serious underlying illness, a compromised immune system, and advanced age (>65+).

Geostatistical model-based estimates of Schistosomiasis prevalence among individuals aged ≤ 20 years in West Africa.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a water-based disease that is believed to affect over 200 million people with an estimated 97% of the infections concentrated in Africa. However, these statistics are largely based on population re-adjusted data originally published by Utroska and colleagues more than 20 years ago. Hence, these estimates are outdated due to large-scale preventive chemotherapy programs, improved sanitation, water resources development and management, among other reasons.

Louisiana death certificate accuracy: a concern for the public's health.

Introduction: The accuracy of death certificates is essential for public health prevention and research in the State of Louisiana. This article analyzes the accuracy of cause of death stated on Louisiana death certificates.

Methods: Discharge diagnoses from 2007 Louisiana Hospital Inpatient Discharge Diagnosis (LAHIDD) data were compared with the diagnoses in the cause of death section in the corresponding death certificates.

Characteristics of pesticide-related hospitalizations, Louisiana, 1998-2007.

Objective: Pesticides are widely used on agricultural crops and in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. Exposure to pesticides can cause acute and chronic health effects. We analyzed data from the Louisiana Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database from 1998 through 2007 to characterize hospitalizations involving pesticides.

Swine-origin influenza virus (SOIV) in Louisiana, 2009.

Since the new flu strain--named A(H1N1) or Swine Origin Influenza Virus (SOIV) to differentiate it from the seasonal H1N1--first emerged in Mexico and the United States in April, it has spread to 74 countries around the globe. The objectives of this article are to describe the initial stages of the epidemic in Louisiana and to draw some epidemiologic lessons for the future, which could be particularly useful if the pandemic continues during the winter season 2009-2010. Between April 22, 2009 (date when the first specimen was collected) to May 31, 2009, a six week period, there were 133 cases of SOIV infection detected in Louisiana.

The epidemiology of animal bite, scratch, and other potential rabies exposures, Louisiana.

The authors conducted a review of 318 investigative reports of animal exposures recorded from November 2004 through April 2008. These reports were gathered as components of the rabies surveillance program in Louisiana. The reports were recorded by employees of the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

Louisiana autopsy patterns 1999-2006.

This report presents autopsy trends in Louisiana for 1999-2006 data and provides some comparison with national data for 2003. Mortality data for Louisiana was collected from the field 'autopsy' on the Certificate of Death from 1999-2006 and compared with national data for the year 2003. The overall autopsy rate was 9.

Epidemiology of animal rabies and its practical application to pre- and postexposure prophylaxis, louisiana, 1988 to 2007.

The incidence of human rabies in the United States has decreased significantly over the past century. This analysis examines the ecological status of rabies in Louisiana with the intent of identifying differences in risk of rabies transmission from exposures to different species of animals. Louisiana presently harbors one terrestrial variant of rabies, a skunk variant, and several bat variants.

Prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization outside the healthcare environment.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are increasingly recognized in persons without established risk factors. Population-based prevalence studies of CA-MRSA colonization in persons without risk factors are relatively limited. Subjects aged 2-65 years were enrolled from a student recreation centre, public office building, and out-patient clinics.

Post-Katrina mortality in the greater New Orleans area, Louisiana.

Objectives: Death rates in the Greater New Orleans area were examined by month from 2002 to 2006 to assess whether mortality increased after Hurricane Katrina.

Methods: Finalized death data from the Louisiana Office of Vital Statistics and the most recent population estimates were used to calculate annual mortality rates in the Greater New Orleans area by month for 2002-2006. Causes of death were also examined for changes.

Hurricane Katrina deaths, Louisiana, 2005.

Objective: Hurricane Katrina struck the US Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, causing unprecedented damage to numerous communities in Louisiana and Mississippi. Our objectives were to verify, document, and characterize Katrina-related mortality in Louisiana and help identify strategies to reduce mortality in future disasters.

Methods: We assessed Hurricane Katrina mortality data sources received in 2007, including Louisiana and out-of-state death certificates for deaths occurring from August 27 to October 31, 2005, and the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team's confirmed victims' database.