2008 outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections associated with raw produce.

Background: Raw produce is an increasingly recognized vehicle for salmonellosis. We investigated a nationwide outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2008.

Methods: We defined a case as diarrhea in a person with laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Saintpaul.

An outbreak of varicella in elementary school children with two-dose varicella vaccine recipients--Arkansas, 2006.

Background: In June 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its June 2005 recommendation for a second dose of varicella vaccine during outbreaks to a recommendation for routine school entry second dose varicella vaccination. In October 2006, the Arkansas Department of Health was notified of a varicella outbreak among students where some received a second dose during an outbreak-related vaccination campaign in February 2006.

Methods: The outbreak was investigated using a school-wide parental survey with a follow-up survey of identified case patients.

One dose of varicella vaccine does not prevent school outbreaks: is it time for a second dose?

Objectives: The implementation of a routine childhood varicella vaccination program in the United States in 1995 has resulted in a dramatic decline in varicella morbidity and mortality. Although disease incidence has decreased, outbreaks of varicella continue to be reported, increasingly in highly vaccinated populations. In 2000, a varicella vaccination requirement was introduced for kindergarten entry in Arkansas.

Barriers to public health management of a pertussis outbreak in Arkansas.

Background: During the 2001-2002 respiratory season, Arkansas experienced one of its worst pertussis outbreaks. This crisis occurred shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Objective: To determine whether vulnerabilities in the public health infrastructure existed in the context of emerging infectious diseases or possible bioterrorist attacks.

The West Nile virus epidemic in Arkansas, 2002: the Arkansas Department of Health response.

In June 2002, the Arkansas Department of Health anticipated a West Nile virus epidemic based on diagnoses in birds and increasing reports of human disease cases in neighboring states. Department officials activated an emergency operations center (EOC) dedicated to human West Nile virus surveillance. As a result, 43 cases (33 West Nile meningoencephalitis and 10 West Nile fever) and five (12%) deaths were confirmed from 16 counties.