{"title":"Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths - United States, 2024-25 Influenza Season.","authors":"Katie Reinhart,Stacy Huang,Krista Kniss,Carrie Reed,Alicia Budd","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a2","url":null,"abstract":"Influenza-associated deaths among children aged <18 years have been nationally notifiable since 2004. The highest number of pediatric deaths reported during a single season since reporting of influenza-associated pediatric deaths began (excluding the 2009-10 influenza A[H1N1]pmd09 pandemic) occurred during the 2024-25 season. Through September 13, 2025, a total of 280 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, representing a national rate of 3.8 deaths per 1 million children. The median age at death was 7 years, and 56% of children who died had at least one underlying medical condition. Influenza A viruses were associated with 240 (86%) of the deaths. Forty percent of children who died were treated with influenza antiviral medications. Among the 208 pediatric decedents with available data who were eligible for influenza vaccine, 89% were not fully vaccinated. CDC recommends that all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications receive the influenza vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"93 1","pages":"565-569"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145140339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Savanah Russ,Francisco Nogareda,Annette K Regan,Estefanía Benedetti,Marina Pasinovich,Carla Voto,Monique Chilver,Nigel Stocks,Sheena G Sullivan,Allen C Cheng,Christopher C Blyth,Jenna Hassall,Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira de Almeida,Francisco José de Paula Júnior,Ana Catarina de Melo Araújo,Natalia Vergara,Paula Camila Rodríguez Ferrari,Rodrigo A Fasce,Christian Saavedra,Elena Penayo,Silvia Gómez,Chavely Domínguez,Andrew Anglemyer,Tim Wood,Q Sue Huang,Sibongile Walaza,Phindi Zwane,Nicole Wolter,Natalia Goñi,Jeremy Tairovich,Eduardo Silvera,Paula Couto,Jorge Jara,Rebecca J Kondor,Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner,Anna N Chard
{"title":"Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2025 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-Associated Outpatient and Hospitalized Illness - Eight Southern Hemisphere Countries, March-September 2025.","authors":"Savanah Russ,Francisco Nogareda,Annette K Regan,Estefanía Benedetti,Marina Pasinovich,Carla Voto,Monique Chilver,Nigel Stocks,Sheena G Sullivan,Allen C Cheng,Christopher C Blyth,Jenna Hassall,Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira de Almeida,Francisco José de Paula Júnior,Ana Catarina de Melo Araújo,Natalia Vergara,Paula Camila Rodríguez Ferrari,Rodrigo A Fasce,Christian Saavedra,Elena Penayo,Silvia Gómez,Chavely Domínguez,Andrew Anglemyer,Tim Wood,Q Sue Huang,Sibongile Walaza,Phindi Zwane,Nicole Wolter,Natalia Goñi,Jeremy Tairovich,Eduardo Silvera,Paula Couto,Jorge Jara,Rebecca J Kondor,Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner,Anna N Chard","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a3","url":null,"abstract":"Seasonal influenza vaccination provides important protection from influenza illness and associated potential complications. Monitoring seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Southern Hemisphere countries can apprise health authorities in Northern Hemisphere countries about the potential protection provided from vaccination. Using data from influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) sentinel surveillance networks in eight Southern Hemisphere countries, investigators estimated interim VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalization using a test-negative case-control study design. During March-September 2025, Australia and South Africa identified 2,122 patients with ILI; Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Paraguay, and Uruguay identified 42,752 patients with SARI. Overall, 21.3% of patients with ILI and 15.9% of patients with SARI were vaccinated against influenza. Adjusted VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalization was 50.4% and 49.7%, respectively, for any influenza virus, and 45.4% and 46.1%, respectively, for influenza A viruses. Adjusted VE against hospitalization with the predominant influenza subtype, A(H1N1)pdm09, was 41.6%. These interim estimates suggest that vaccination reduced medically attended influenza-associated illness by approximately one half in eight Southern Hemisphere countries. Health authorities should prioritize vaccination of all eligible persons ≥6 months to reduce incidence of influenza disease.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"14 1","pages":"570-578"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145140338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amara Fazal,Elizabeth J Harker,Varsha Neelam,Samantha M Olson,Melissa A Rolfes,Katie Reinhart,Krista Kniss,Aaron Frutos,Jerome Leonard,Carrie Reed,Vivien G Dugan,Haytham Safi,Theresa M Dulski,Adrianna Stanley-Downs,Aaliya Bhatti,Isaac Armistead,Suchitra Rao,Carola Torres-Diaz,Ashlin Thomas,Andy Weigel,Michael Patten,Mallory Sinner,Dawn Nims,Crystal Mattingly,Valerie Gosack,Amy Voris,Jaime Redkey,Felicia A Scaggs Huang,Danielle DeCesaris,Carrie Tuggle,Kristina A Betters,Julie Hand,Anna Krueger,Dina Z Potter,Curi Kim,Rachel Park,Sue Hong,Hannah E Edelman,Sue Kim,Justin Henderson,Melissa McMahon,Jeffrey Sanders,David A Hunstad,Emma L Doran,Khalil Harbi,Derek Julian,Hannah Ball,John Dreisig,Deepam Thomas,Justin Faybusovich,Yomei P Shaw,Nancy Eisenberg,Richa Chaturvedi,Ashleigh Faulstich,Rachel E Wester,Donna L Gowie,Nicholas Fisher,Melissa Sutton,Sameh W Boktor,Jonah M Long,Patricia Marshall,Abby L Berns,Lindsey McAda,Sarah Winders,Pamela Gomez Pinedo,Jade Murray,Ta'Kindra Westbrook,Anna Unutzer,Scott Lindquist,Thomas E Haupt,Kaylyn Baum,Molly Wilson-Murphy,Carol Glaser,Kathleen Harriman,James W Antoon,Keith P Van Haren,Adrienne G Randolph,Andrew Silverman,Annabelle de St Maurice,Sascha Ellington,Timothy M Uyeki,Shikha Garg,
{"title":"Pediatric Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy and Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy - United States, 2024-25 Influenza Season.","authors":"Amara Fazal,Elizabeth J Harker,Varsha Neelam,Samantha M Olson,Melissa A Rolfes,Katie Reinhart,Krista Kniss,Aaron Frutos,Jerome Leonard,Carrie Reed,Vivien G Dugan,Haytham Safi,Theresa M Dulski,Adrianna Stanley-Downs,Aaliya Bhatti,Isaac Armistead,Suchitra Rao,Carola Torres-Diaz,Ashlin Thomas,Andy Weigel,Michael Patten,Mallory Sinner,Dawn Nims,Crystal Mattingly,Valerie Gosack,Amy Voris,Jaime Redkey,Felicia A Scaggs Huang,Danielle DeCesaris,Carrie Tuggle,Kristina A Betters,Julie Hand,Anna Krueger,Dina Z Potter,Curi Kim,Rachel Park,Sue Hong,Hannah E Edelman,Sue Kim,Justin Henderson,Melissa McMahon,Jeffrey Sanders,David A Hunstad,Emma L Doran,Khalil Harbi,Derek Julian,Hannah Ball,John Dreisig,Deepam Thomas,Justin Faybusovich,Yomei P Shaw,Nancy Eisenberg,Richa Chaturvedi,Ashleigh Faulstich,Rachel E Wester,Donna L Gowie,Nicholas Fisher,Melissa Sutton,Sameh W Boktor,Jonah M Long,Patricia Marshall,Abby L Berns,Lindsey McAda,Sarah Winders,Pamela Gomez Pinedo,Jade Murray,Ta'Kindra Westbrook,Anna Unutzer,Scott Lindquist,Thomas E Haupt,Kaylyn Baum,Molly Wilson-Murphy,Carol Glaser,Kathleen Harriman,James W Antoon,Keith P Van Haren,Adrienne G Randolph,Andrew Silverman,Annabelle de St Maurice,Sascha Ellington,Timothy M Uyeki,Shikha Garg, ","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7436a1","url":null,"abstract":"In January 2025, CDC received several reports of deaths among children aged <18 years with a severe form of influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) termed acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). Because no national surveillance for IAE currently exists, CDC requested notification of U.S. pediatric IAE cases from clinicians and health departments during the 2024-25 influenza season, a high-severity season with a record number of pediatric influenza-associated deaths. Among 192 reports of suspected IAE submitted to CDC, 109 (57%) were categorized as IAE, 37 (34%) of which were subcategorized as ANE, and 72 (66%) as other IAE; 82 reports did not meet IAE criteria and were categorized as other influenza-associated neurologic disease. The median age of children with IAE was 5 years and 55% were previously healthy, 74% were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 19% died; 41% of children with ANE died. Only 16% of children with IAE who were vaccination-eligible had received the 2024-25 influenza vaccine. Health care providers should consider IAE in children with encephalopathy or altered level of consciousness and a recent or current febrile illness when influenza viruses are circulating. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged ≥6 months to prevent influenza and associated complications, potentially including severe neurologic disease such as IAE and ANE.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"41 1","pages":"556-564"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145140340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rupa R Patel,Karen W Hoover,Allison Lale,Janet Cabrales,Katrina M Byrd,Athena P Kourtis
{"title":"Clinical Recommendation for the Use of Injectable Lenacapavir as HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis - United States, 2025.","authors":"Rupa R Patel,Karen W Hoover,Allison Lale,Janet Cabrales,Katrina M Byrd,Athena P Kourtis","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7435a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7435a1","url":null,"abstract":"In 2023, approximately 39,000 persons received a diagnosis of HIV in the United States. Although HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV infection, acceptance of, adherence to, and persistence taking the available oral and injectable PrEP regimens have been suboptimal. CDC PrEP guidelines published in 2021 include two oral tenofovir-based regimens and cabotegravir, the only injectable PrEP regimen approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at that time. In June 2025, FDA approved injectable lenacapavir (LEN), administered every 6 months, as HIV PrEP based on results from two randomized controlled trials (PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2). The CDC PrEP Guidelines Work Group assessed evidence for the efficacy and safety of LEN PrEP using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The two trials reported LEN efficacy at reducing HIV infection as 100% among females and 96% among a primarily male trial population, compared with the estimated background HIV incidence (or no use of PrEP) over a follow-up of 52 weeks. No significant safety concerns were identified in the trials. The most common adverse events were mild (grade 1) to moderate (grade 2) injection site reactions. Based on a high certainty of evidence for the efficacy and safety of LEN as assessed by the GRADE analysis, subcutaneous injection of LEN every 6 months is strongly recommended as a PrEP option in persons weighing ≥77 lbs (≥35 kg) who would benefit from PrEP. LEN has the potential to improve PrEP adherence and thus enhance HIV prevention in the United States.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"4 6 1","pages":"541-549"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145083395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Notes from the Field: Differences in Suicide Rates, by Race and Ethnicity and Age Group - United States, 2018-2023.","authors":"Deborah M Stone,Alison L Cammack,Eric G Carbone","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7435a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7435a2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"6 1","pages":"550-553"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145083420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Notes from the Field: Invasive Group G β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Outbreak at a Long-Term Care Facility - Pennsylvania, 2024.","authors":"Monica Giacomucci,Laxmi Modali,Cara Bicking Kinsey,Kim Warren,Sopio Chochua,Christopher J Gregory,Allison Longenberger","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7434a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7434a2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"60 1","pages":"538-539"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145036105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alissa O'Halloran,Jennifer Whitmill Habeck,Matthew Gilmer,Ryan Threlkel,Shua J Chai,Brenna Hall,Isaac Armistead,Nisha B Alden,James Meek,Kimberly Yousey-Hindes,Kyle P Openo,Lucy S Witt,Maya L Monroe,Patricia A Ryan,Lauren Leegwater,Sue Kim,Melissa McMahon,Ruth Lynfield,Khalil Harbi,Murtada Khalifa,Caroline McCahon,Grant Barney,Bridget J Anderson,Christina B Felsen,Brenda L Tesini,Nancy E Moran,Denise Ingabire-Smith,Melissa Sutton,M Andraya Hendrick,William Schaffner,H Keipp Talbot,Andrea George,Hafsa Zahid,Shikha Garg,Catherine H Bozio
{"title":"Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During a High Severity Season - Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2024-25 Influenza Season.","authors":"Alissa O'Halloran,Jennifer Whitmill Habeck,Matthew Gilmer,Ryan Threlkel,Shua J Chai,Brenna Hall,Isaac Armistead,Nisha B Alden,James Meek,Kimberly Yousey-Hindes,Kyle P Openo,Lucy S Witt,Maya L Monroe,Patricia A Ryan,Lauren Leegwater,Sue Kim,Melissa McMahon,Ruth Lynfield,Khalil Harbi,Murtada Khalifa,Caroline McCahon,Grant Barney,Bridget J Anderson,Christina B Felsen,Brenda L Tesini,Nancy E Moran,Denise Ingabire-Smith,Melissa Sutton,M Andraya Hendrick,William Schaffner,H Keipp Talbot,Andrea George,Hafsa Zahid,Shikha Garg,Catherine H Bozio","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7434a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7434a1","url":null,"abstract":"The U.S. 2024-25 influenza season was a high-severity season characterized by co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses. Data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network covering 9% of the U.S. population, were analyzed to compare laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization rates and patient clinical characteristics from the 2024-25 season with data from past seasons. Based on preliminary data from influenza-associated hospital admissions from October 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, the cumulative influenza-associated hospitalization rate (127.1 influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population) had surpassed all end-of-season rates during the period beginning with the 2010-11 season. Cumulative 2024-25 season rates were highest among persons aged ≥75 years (598.8). Across age groups, hospitalization rates during the 2024-25 season were 1.8 to 2.8 times higher than median historical rates during the period beginning with the 2010-11 season. Among hospitalized patients, 32.4% had received an influenza vaccine, and 84.8% received antiviral treatment, though children and adolescents aged 5-17 years had the lowest proportion of antiviral receipt (61.6%). Similar to past seasons, most patients hospitalized with influenza during the 2024-25 season (89.1%) had one or more underlying medical conditions, 16.8% were admitted to an intensive care unit, 6.1% received invasive mechanical ventilation, and 3.0% died in hospital. Seasonal influenza viruses can cause severe disease, particularly among persons who are at higher risk for complications. CDC recommends that all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications receive an annual influenza vaccine and that all hospitalized patients with influenza receive timely antiviral treatment to reduce the risk for complications.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"35 1","pages":"529-537"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145036106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan J Ching,Ga On Jung,Angela Osuna,Theresa Casey,Hui Xia,Karina Bostwick,Amol H Patadia,Lauren M Sweet,Oscar Gallardo-Huizar,Thomas F Gibbons,Joseph E Marcus
{"title":"Outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis Conjunctivitis in Military Trainees - Texas, February-May 2025.","authors":"Susan J Ching,Ga On Jung,Angela Osuna,Theresa Casey,Hui Xia,Karina Bostwick,Amol H Patadia,Lauren M Sweet,Oscar Gallardo-Huizar,Thomas F Gibbons,Joseph E Marcus","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7433a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7433a1","url":null,"abstract":"Viral and allergic conjunctivitis are more common than bacterial conjunctivitis in healthy immunocompetent adults. Neisseria meningitidis is an uncommon cause of bacterial conjunctivitis. During February-May 2025, an outbreak of 41 meningococcal conjunctivitis cases occurred among healthy, communally housed, military trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas; all had received the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. One patient was hospitalized with periorbital cellulitis and received intravenous antibiotics; all other patients were treated successfully with topical antibiotics. Whole genome sequencing of isolates from the first two cases suggested that the organism was unencapsulated (nongroupable) and that the cases were related. After the identification of two cases of N. meningitidis conjunctivitis among military trainees within a 3-week period in February 2025, an investigation was initiated by the base health surveillance team. Investigation of basic trainee hygiene and cleaning practices found that all protocols were followed; no source for the outbreak was found. When outbreaks of mucopurulent conjunctivitis occur in congregate living settings, culturing exudate can identify outbreak etiology, and whole genome sequencing can help guide treatment and response. Previous studies indicated that systemic antimicrobial therapy might be needed to prevent invasive infections of N. meningitidis cases; findings from this investigation suggest that nongroupable N. meningitidis conjunctivitis in otherwise healthy persons might be successfully treated with topical antimicrobials.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"39 1","pages":"516-521"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144995772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farrell A Tobolowsky,Eric Morris,Lina Castro,Tina Schaff,Monica Jacinto,Joseph P Clement,Min Z Levine,Julia C Frederick,Feng Liu,Crystal Holiday,Marie K Kirby,C Todd Davis,Krista Kniss,Sonja J Olsen,Rahil Ryder,Debra A Wadford,Godfred Masinde,George Han,A Danielle Iuliano,Seema Jain
{"title":"Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in a Child with No Known Exposure - San Francisco, California, December 2024-January 2025.","authors":"Farrell A Tobolowsky,Eric Morris,Lina Castro,Tina Schaff,Monica Jacinto,Joseph P Clement,Min Z Levine,Julia C Frederick,Feng Liu,Crystal Holiday,Marie K Kirby,C Todd Davis,Krista Kniss,Sonja J Olsen,Rahil Ryder,Debra A Wadford,Godfred Masinde,George Han,A Danielle Iuliano,Seema Jain","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7433a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7433a2","url":null,"abstract":"In response to a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) outbreak in U.S. dairy cows detected in March 2024, with subsequent identification of human cases, the San Francisco Department of Public Health instituted enhanced influenza surveillance (influenza A virus subtyping of a sample of specimens weekly) in June 2024. As of January 1, 2025, 37 human cases of influenza A(H5N1) had been detected in California, none of which occurred in San Francisco. On January 9, 2025, enhanced surveillance detected a human influenza A(H5N1) virus genotype B3.13 infection in a school-aged child in San Francisco with mild illness. Case investigation and contact tracing were conducted to ascertain exposures and detect possible human-to-human transmission. Activities comprised a household visit that included an environmental assessment, close contact interviews and surveys, and molecular and serologic testing. Sixty-seven close contacts (household, school, and health care) were identified. Upper respiratory tract specimens collected from seven asymptomatic household contacts and four symptomatic school contacts all tested negative for influenza virus by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Although antibodies against influenza A(H5N1) were detected in the index patient, serologic testing of a convenience sample of nine close contacts identified no detectable A(H5)-specific antibodies. Despite an extensive investigation, the infection source remains unknown; no human-to-human transmission was identified among close contacts by rRT-PCR and serologic testing. Continued enhanced surveillance and timely subtyping of a subset of influenza A-positive specimens are essential components of a comprehensive strategy to detect human novel influenza A virus infections, including among persons without known exposures to A(H5N1) viruses.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"22 1","pages":"522-527"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144995770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert M Rodriguez,Jesus R Torres,Brian Chinnock,Efrat Kean,Kristin L Rising,Christopher Conn,Michael Gottlieb,Shwetha Sekar,Perla Gomez,Lorenia Olivera,Stephanie A Eucker,Sofia DiFulvio,Christopher Alvarez,Melanie F Molina,Shaokui Ge,Vijaya Arun Kumar
{"title":"Emergency Department Survey of Vaccination Knowledge, Vaccination Coverage, and Willingness to Receive Vaccines in an Emergency Department Among Underserved Populations - Eight U.S. Cities, April-December, 2024.","authors":"Robert M Rodriguez,Jesus R Torres,Brian Chinnock,Efrat Kean,Kristin L Rising,Christopher Conn,Michael Gottlieb,Shwetha Sekar,Perla Gomez,Lorenia Olivera,Stephanie A Eucker,Sofia DiFulvio,Christopher Alvarez,Melanie F Molina,Shaokui Ge,Vijaya Arun Kumar","doi":"10.15585/mmwr.mm7429a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7429a1","url":null,"abstract":"Current models of vaccination coverage screening and surveillance might miss underserved populations whose only health care access occurs in emergency departments (EDs). During April-December 2024, a survey of non-critically ill adult patients evaluated in 10 EDs in eight U.S. cities across five states was conducted to ascertain patients' vaccination knowledge, self-reported vaccination coverage, and willingness to receive vaccines in an ED. Among 4,326 patients approached by the research team, 3,285 (75.9%) agreed to participate. Non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) persons each accounted for approximately 30% of participants; 17.9% spoke Spanish as their primary language; 7.8% had unstable or marginal housing; and 21.0% lacked a source of primary health care. Approximately one half (49.4%) had not heard of one or more CDC-recommended vaccines for their age group, and 85.9% had not received one or more of the recommended vaccines. Factors associated with not being up to date with recommended vaccinations included non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.32-2.85), lack of primary health care (aOR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.74-5.13), and lack of health insurance (aOR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.27-8.82). Among 2,821 participants who were not up to date with recommended vaccines, 46.4% said that they would accept one or more missing vaccines if they could be provided during their ED visit, and 86.7% of these persons said they would accept all missing vaccines. The primary reasons for missed vaccine doses were that the participant was unaware of or had not been offered the vaccines. EDs could be explored as additional sites to offer vaccination screening, recommendations, counseling, and referrals to increase vaccination coverage among underserved populations.","PeriodicalId":18931,"journal":{"name":"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report","volume":"17 1","pages":"456-462"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144796994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}