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Data on the detailed clinical progression of COVID-19 in conjunction with epidemiological and virological characteristics are limited. In this case series, we describe the first 12 US patients confirmed to have COVID-19 from 20 January to 5 February 2020, including 4 patients described previously 1 – 3 . Respiratory, stool, serum and urine specimens were submitted for SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing, viral culture and whole genome sequencing. Median age was 53 years (range: 21–68); 8 patients were male. Common symptoms at illness onset were cough ( n  = 8) and fever ( n  = 7). Patients had mild to moderately severe illness; seven were hospitalized and demonstrated clinical or laboratory signs of worsening during the second week of illness. No patients required mechanical ventilation and all recovered. All had SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in respiratory specimens, typically for 2–3 weeks after illness onset. Lowest real-time PCR with reverse transcription cycle threshold values in the upper respiratory tract were often detected in the first week and SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from early respiratory specimens. These data provide insight into the natural history of SARS-CoV-2. Although infectiousness is unclear, highest viral RNA levels were identified in the first week of illness. Clinicians should anticipate that some patients may worsen in the second week of illness. Detailed clinical and virologic characteristics of the first 12 individuals with COVID-19 in the United States from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba that can cause granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). We report a case in an individual with a history of alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and ditch water exposure. This is the first reported case of GAE due to B mandrillaris in New Mexico.

•CDC funded 110 primary partners to reduce COVID-19 vaccination disparities.•CDC-funded partners trained > 295,000 community spokespersons as trusted messengers.•More than 535,035 healthcare personnel were reached through outreach strategies.•Vaccination policies were updated in medical societies and in clinical settings. During the COVID-19 vaccination rollout from March 2021- December 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded 110 primary and 1051 subrecipient partners at the national, state, local, and community-based level to improve COVID-19 vaccination access, confidence, demand, delivery, and equity in the United States. The partners implemented evidence-based strategies among racial and ethnic minority populations, rural populations, older adults, people with disabilities, people with chronic illness, people experiencing homelessness, and other groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. CDC also expanded existing partnerships with healthcare professional societies and other core public health partners, as well as developed innovative partnerships with organizations new to vaccination, including museums and libraries. Partners brought COVID-19 vaccine education into farm fields, local fairs, churches, community centers, barber and beauty shops, and, when possible, partnered with local healthcare providers to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Inclusive, hyper-localized outreach through partnerships with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, vaccination providers, and local health departments was critical to increasing COVID-19 vaccine access and building a broad network of trusted messengers that promoted vaccine confidence. Data from monthly and quarterly REDCap reports and monthly partner calls showed that through these partnerships, more than 295,000 community-level spokespersons were trained as trusted messengers and more than 2.1 million COVID-19 vaccinations were administered at new or existing vaccination sites. More than 535,035 healthcare personnel were reached through outreach strategies. Quality improvement interventions were implemented in healthcare systems, long-term care settings, and community health centers resulting in changes to the clinical workflow to incorporate COVID-19 vaccine assessments, recommendations, and administration or referrals into routine office visits. Funded partners’ activities improved COVID-19 vaccine access and addressed community concerns among racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as among people with barriers to vaccination due to chronic illness or disability, older age, lower income, or other factors.

Although non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons account for 0.7% of the U.S. population,* a recent analysis reported that 1.3% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported to CDC with known race and ethnicity were among AI/AN persons (1). To assess the impact of COVID-19 among the AI/AN population, reports of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases during January 22 -July 3, 2020 were analyzed. The analysis was limited to 23 states with >70% complete race/ethnicity information and five or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases among both AI/AN persons (alone or in combination with other races and ethnicities) and non-Hispanic white (white) persons. Among 424,899 COVID-19 cases reported by these states, 340,059 (80%) had complete race/ethnicity information; among these 340,059 cases, 9,072 (2.7%) occurred among AI/AN persons, and 138,960 (40.9%) among white persons. Among 340,059 cases with complete patient race/ethnicity data, the cumulative incidence among AI/AN persons in these 23 states was 594 per 100,000 AI/AN population (95% confidence interval [CI] = 203-1,740), compared with 169 per 100,000 white population (95% CI = 137-209) (rate ratio [RR] = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.2-10.1). AI/AN persons with COVID-19 were younger (median age = 40 years; interquartile range [IQR] = 26-56 years) than were white persons (median age = 51 years; IQR = 32-67 years). More complete case report data and timely, culturally responsive, and evidence-based public health efforts that leverage the strengths of AI/AN communities are needed to decrease COVID-19 transmission and improve patient outcomes.

During January 1, 2020-May 18, 2020, approximately 1.3 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 83,000 COVID-19-associated deaths were reported in the United States (1). Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of decedents could inform medical and public health interventions focused on preventing COVID-19-associated mortality. This report describes decedents with laboratory-confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using data from 1) the standardized CDC case-report form (case-based surveillance) (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/reporting-pui.html) and 2) supplementary data (supplemental surveillance), such as underlying medical conditions and location of death, obtained through collaboration between CDC and 16 public health jurisdictions (15 states and New York City).

The majority of countries with the highest rotavirus-associated death rates are in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended routine vaccination against rotavirus worldwide, with unique age recommendations to administer the first dose before 15 weeks of age and last dose by 32 weeks of age. These age restrictions were relaxed in January 2013, but they may still lead to lower rotavirus vaccine coverage. Children age-eligible to have received rotavirus vaccine that were enrolled in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda or Burkina Faso′s active rotavirus surveillance platforms from 2013 to 2017 and had a stool specimen that tested rotavirus-negative were included in the analysis. Proportion vaccinated and timeliness of rotavirus vaccine versus DTPw-HepB-Hib (pentavalent) first dose and last dose were compared at weeks 15 and 32, respectively, using Chi-square analyses. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. Among children who received rotavirus vaccine dose 1, 96–99% received this dose by 15 weeks of age and among children who received the last dose, 98–99% received it by 32 weeks of age. In all four countries, there was no significant difference in the proportion of children who received first dose rotavirus versus pentavalent vaccine by week 15, or last dose rotavirus versus concordant pentavalent vaccine by week 32. Delayed administration of first dose pentavalent vaccine was significantly associated with missing first dose of rotavirus vaccine in 3 of the 4 countries studied, although delays in administration were rare (1–4%). Rotavirus vaccination was timely among sentinel sites in these four early rotavirus vaccine-introducing countries in Africa. Late presentation for vaccination may have resulted in some children with access to care missing first dose of rotavirus vaccine; however, vaccination delays were infrequent and therefore the potential impact of the age restrictions on overall proportion vaccinated was minimal.

Diarrheal illness is a leading cause of hospitalizations among children <5 years. We estimated the costs of inpatient care for rotavirus and all-cause acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in two Burkina Faso hospitals. We conducted a cross-sectional study among children <5 years from December 2017 to June 2018 in one urban and one rural pediatric hospital. Costs were ascertained through caregiver interview and chart abstraction. Direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs per child incurred are reported. Costs were stratified by rotavirus results. 211 children <5 years were included. AGE hospitalizations cost 161USD (IQR 117–239); 180USD (IQR 121–242) at the urban and 154USD (IQR 116–235) at the rural site. Direct medical costs were higher in the urban compared to the rural site (140USD (IQR 102–182) vs. 90USD (IQR 71–108), respectively). Direct non-medical costs were higher at the rural versus urban site (15USD (IQR 10, 15) vs. 11USD (IQR 5–20), respectively). Indirect costs were higher at the rural versus urban site (35USD (IQR 8–91) vs. 0USD (IQR 0–26), respectively). Rotavirus hospitalizations incurred less direct medical costs as compared to non-rotavirus hospitalizations at the rural site (79USD (IQR 64–103) vs. 95USD (IQR 80–118)). No other differences by rotavirus testing status were observed. The total median cost of a hospitalization incurred by households was 24USD (IQR 12–49) compared to 75USD for government (IQR 59–97). Direct medical costs for households were higher in the urban site (median 49USD (IQR 31–81) versus rural (median 14USD (IQR 8–25)). Households in the lowest wealth quintiles at the urban site expended 149% of their monthly income on the child’s hospitalization, compared to 96% at the rural site. AGE hospitalization costs differed between the urban and rural hospitals and were most burdensome to the lowest income households. Rotavirus positivity was not associated with greater household costs.

Since February 12, 2020, approximately 6.5 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and 190,000 SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths have been reported in the United States (1,2). Symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are milder in children compared with adults (3). Persons aged <21 years constitute 26% of the U.S. population (4), and this report describes characteristics of U.S. persons in that population who died in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as reported by public health jurisdictions. Among 121 SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths reported to CDC among persons aged <21 years in the United States during February 12-July 31, 2020, 63% occurred in males, 10% of decedents were aged <1 year, 20% were aged 1-9 years, 70% were aged 10-20 years, 45% were Hispanic persons, 29% were non-Hispanic Black (Black) persons, and 4% were non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons. Among these 121 decedents, 91 (75%) had an underlying medical condition,* 79 (65%) died after admission to a hospital, and 39 (32%) died at home or in the emergency department (ED). These data show that nearly three quarters of SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths among infants, children, adolescents, and young adults have occurred in persons aged 10-20 years, with a disproportionate percentage among young adults aged 18-20 years and among Hispanics, Blacks, AI/ANs, and persons with underlying medical conditions. Careful monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections, deaths, and other severe outcomes among persons aged <21 years remains particularly important as schools reopen in the United States. Ongoing evaluation of effectiveness of prevention and control strategies will also be important to inform public health guidance for schools and parents and other caregivers.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a liquid, gel, or foam that contains ethanol or isopropanol used to disinfect hands. Hand hygiene is an important component of the U.S. response to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). If soap and water are not readily available, CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products that contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or 70% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) in community settings (1); in health care settings, CDC recommendations specify that alcohol-based hand sanitizer products should contain 60%-95% alcohol (≥60% ethanol or ≥70% isopropanol) (2). According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates alcohol-based hand sanitizers as an over-the-counter drug, methanol (methyl alcohol) is not an acceptable ingredient. Cases of ethanol toxicity following ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products have been reported in persons with alcohol use disorder (3,4). On June 30, 2020, CDC received notification from public health partners in Arizona and New Mexico of cases of methanol poisoning associated with ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The case reports followed an FDA consumer alert issued on June 19, 2020, warning about specific hand sanitizers that contain methanol. Whereas early clinical effects of methanol and ethanol poisoning are similar (e.g., headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of coordination, and decreased level of consciousness), persons with methanol poisoning might develop severe anion-gap metabolic acidosis, seizures, and blindness. If left untreated methanol poisoning can be fatal (5). Survivors of methanol poisoning might have permanent visual impairment, including complete vision loss; data suggest that vision loss results from the direct toxic effect of formate, a toxic anion metabolite of methanol, on the optic nerve (6). CDC and state partners established a case definition of alcohol-based hand sanitizer-associated methanol poisoning and reviewed 62 poison center call records from May 1 through June 30, 2020, to characterize reported cases. Medical records were reviewed to abstract details missing from poison center call records. During this period, 15 adult patients met the case definition, including persons who were American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN). All had ingested an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and were subsequently admitted to a hospital. Four patients died and three were discharged with vision impairment. Persons should never ingest alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoid use of specific imported products found to contain methanol, and continue to monitor FDA guidance (7). Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for methanol poisoning when evaluating adult or pediatric patients with reported swallowing of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer product or with symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings (e.g., elevated anion-gap metabolic acidosis) compatible with methanol poisoning. Treatment of methanol poisoning includes supportive care, correction of acidosis, administration of an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor (e.g., fomepizole), and frequently, hemodialysis.Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a liquid, gel, or foam that contains ethanol or isopropanol used to disinfect hands. Hand hygiene is an important component of the U.S. response to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). If soap and water are not readily available, CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products that contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or 70% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) in community settings (1); in health care settings, CDC recommendations specify that alcohol-based hand sanitizer products should contain 60%-95% alcohol (≥60% ethanol or ≥70% isopropanol) (2). According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates alcohol-based hand sanitizers as an over-the-counter drug, methanol (methyl alcohol) is not an acceptable ingredient. Cases of ethanol toxicity following ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products have been reported in persons with alcohol use disorder (3,4). On June 30, 2020, CDC received notification from public health partners in Arizona and New Mexico of cases of methanol poisoning associated with ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The case reports followed an FDA consumer alert issued on June 19, 2020, warning about specific hand sanitizers that contain methanol. Whereas early clinical effects of methanol and ethanol poisoning are similar (e.g., headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of coordination, and decreased level of consciousness), persons with methanol poisoning might develop severe anion-gap metabolic acidosis, seizures, and blindness. If left untreated methanol poisoning can be fatal (5). Survivors of methanol poisoning might have permanent visual impairment, including complete vision loss; data suggest that vision loss results from the direct toxic effect of formate, a toxic anion metabolite of methanol, on the optic nerve (6). CDC and state partners established a case definition of alcohol-based hand sanitizer-associated methanol poisoning and reviewed 62 poison center call records from May 1 through June 30, 2020, to characterize reported cases. Medical records were reviewed to abstract details missing from poison center call records. During this period, 15 adult patients met the case definition, including persons who were American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN). All had ingested an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and were subsequently admitted to a hospital. Four patients died and three were discharged with vision impairment. Persons should never ingest alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoid use of specific imported products found to contain methanol, and continue to monitor FDA guidance (7). Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for methanol poisoning when evaluating adult or pediatric patients with reported swallowing of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer product or with symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings (e.g., elevated anion-gap metabolic acidosis) compatible with methanol poisoning. Treatment of methanol poisoning includes supportive care, correction of acidosis, administration of an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor (e.g., fomepizole), and frequently, hemodialysis.

Background International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnostic codes from acute gastroenteritis (AGE)-associated medical encounters are used for AGE disease burden estimates, yet the validity of AGE-related ICD codes in both pediatric and adult populations is unknown. We estimated the validity of AGE-related diagnostic codes in these populations using two different multi-regional AGE active surveillance platforms. Methods Diagnostic codes, demographic and clinical characteristics, and stool pathogen results from AGE-associated medical encounters were obtained for enrolled children <5 years old from seven sites in NVSN from December 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016, and for adult Veterans in four sites from SUPERNOVA from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2018. SUPERNOVA also enrolled age- and time-matched non-AGE controls. Using AGE cases from the active surveillance networks, sensitivity and specificity of AGE ICD codes were estimated overall and stratified by age and health care setting using exact binomial tests. Results ICD codes were collected from 14,952 enrolled children <5 years old with AGE, and 625 enrolled adults (525 AGE cases and 100 controls). The sensitivity of all-cause AGE codes in children was 54% (9,127/14,952, 95% confidence interval [CI] 54–55%), and in adults was 54% (283/525; 95% CI 50–58%), with a specificity of 100% (100/100; 95% CI 97–100%). Stratified analyses demonstrated higher sensitivity of all-cause AGE codes in children in the inpatient as compared with outpatient setting: 59% (417/675; 95% CI 57–61%) vs. 53% (934/1827; 95% CI 52–54%). In adults, this trend was reversed; all-cause AGE codes had a higher sensitivity in the outpatient as compared with the inpatient setting: 72% (50/69; 95% CI 60–83%), vs. 51% (233/456; 95% CI 46–56%), respectively. Conclusion Across two different AGE active surveillance platforms, one enrolling only children and one enrolling only adults, the estimated sensitivity of all-cause AGE ICD codes were similarly low. This suggests that current national estimates for AGE disease burden may be underestimating the true burden of AGE pathogens in the United States, and emphasizes the importance of active, prospective surveillance. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.