Project description:BackgroundBlastomycosis is an environmentally acquired fungal disease that can cause severe illness, with approximately 65% of reported cases requiring hospitalization. Recent trends in blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations in the United States have not been described.MethodsWe analyzed hospital discharge data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. We calculated hospitalization rates per 100,000 population using U.S. census data and examined factors associated with in-hospital mortality.ResultsAn estimated 11,776 blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations occurred during 2010-2020 (average yearly rate 0.3 per 100,000 persons), with no apparent temporal trend. Rates were consistently highest among persons ≥65 years old and males. In-hospital death occurred in 7.9% and approximately doubled from 3.9% in 2010 to 8.5% in 2020. Older age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and malignancy were associated with mortality.ConclusionsBlastomycosis-associated hospitalizations can result in poor outcomes, underscoring the continued need for attention to early detection and treatment of blastomycosis and monitoring of disease trends.
Project description:Foodborne outbreaks reported to national surveillance systems represent a subset of all outbreaks in the United States; not all outbreaks are detected, investigated, and reported. We described the structural factors and outbreak characteristics of outbreaks reported during 2009-2018. We categorized states (plus DC) as high (highest quintile), middle (middle 3 quintiles), or low (lowest quintile) reporters on the basis of the number of reported outbreaks per 10 million population. Analysis revealed considerable variation across states in the number and types of foodborne outbreaks reported. High-reporting states reported 4 times more outbreaks than low reporters. Low reporters were more likely than high reporters to report larger outbreaks and less likely to implicate a setting or food vehicle; however, we did not observe a significant difference in the types of food vehicles identified. Per capita funding was strongly associated with increased reporting. Investments in public health programming have a measurable effect on outbreak reporting.
Project description:ObjectiveThis study describes characteristics of large tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in the United States detected using novel molecular surveillance methods during 2014-2016 and followed for 2 years through 2018.MethodsWe developed 4 genotype-based detection algorithms to identify large TB outbreaks of ≥10 cases related by recent transmission during a 3-year period. We used whole-genome sequencing and epidemiologic data to assess evidence of recent transmission among cases.ResultsThere were 24 large outbreaks involving 518 cases; patients were primarily U.S.-born (85.1%) racial/ethnic minorities (84.1%). Compared with all other TB patients, patients associated with large outbreaks were more likely to report substance use, homelessness, and having been diagnosed while incarcerated. Most large outbreaks primarily occurred within residences among families and nonfamilial social contacts. A source case with a prolonged infectious period and difficulties in eliciting contacts were commonly reported contributors to transmission.ConclusionLarge outbreak surveillance can inform targeted interventions to decrease outbreak-associated TB morbidity.
Project description:Suicide is a growing public health problem in the United States, claiming approximately 47,000 lives in 2017 (1). However, deaths from suicide represent only a small part of a larger problem because each year millions of persons experience suicidal ideation and engage in suicidal and nonsuicidal self-directed violence, both risk factors for suicide (2). Emergency departments (EDs) are an important setting for monitoring these events in near real time (3-5). From 2001 to 2016, ED visit rates for nonfatal self-harm increased 42% among persons aged ?10 years (1). Using data from CDC's National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP), ED visits for suicidal ideation, self-directed violence, or both among persons aged ?10 years during January 2017-December 2018 were examined by sex, age group, and U.S. region. During the 24-month period, the rate of ED visits for suicidal ideation, self-directed violence, or both increased 25.5% overall, with an average increase of 1.2% per month. Suicide prevention requires comprehensive and multisectoral approaches to addressing risk at personal, relationship, community, and societal levels. ED syndromic surveillance data can provide timely trend information and can support more targeted and prompt public health investigation and response. CDC's Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices includes tailored suicide prevention strategies for health care settings (6).
Project description:BackgroundAn evaluation of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) surveillance has not been conducted in over 10 years in the United States. An accurate assessment would be important to understand current rabies trends and inform public health preparedness and response to human rabies.Methodology/principle findingsTo understand PEP surveillance, we sent a survey to public health leads for rabies in 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City. Of leads from 54 jurisdictions, 39 (72%) responded to the survey; 12 reported having PEP-specific surveillance, five had animal bite surveillance that included data about PEP, four had animal bite surveillance without data about PEP, and 18 (46%) had neither. Although 12 jurisdictions provided data about PEP use, poor data quality and lack of national representativeness prevented use of this data to derive a national-level PEP estimate. We used national-level and state specific data from the Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project (HCUP) to estimate the number of people who received PEP based on emergency department (ED) visits. The estimated annual average of initial ED visits for PEP administration during 2012-2017 in the United States was 46,814 (SE: 1,697), costing upwards of 165 million USD. State-level ED data for initial visits for administration of PEP for rabies exposure using HCUP data was compared to state-level surveillance data from Maryland, Vermont, and Georgia between 2012-2017. In all states, state-level surveillance data was consistently lower than estimates of initial ED visits, suggesting even states with robust PEP surveillance may not adequately capture individuals who receive PEP.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that making PEP a nationally reportable condition may not be feasible. Other methods of tracking administration of PEP such as syndromic surveillance or identification of sentinel states should be considered to obtain an accurate assessment.
Project description:BackgroundBlastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis are environmentally acquired fungal diseases that clinically resemble bacterial and viral community-acquired pneumonia and require laboratory testing for diagnosis. Patients frequently present to primary care and experience diagnostic delays when a fungal etiology is not initially suspected. Current national-level public health surveillance for these diseases is limited and does not include laboratory data, so nationwide testing practices are unknown.MethodsWe identified laboratory tests for blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis ordered during 1 March 2019-29 February 2024 and performed within a major national commercial laboratory system. We analyzed test results, patient and healthcare provider features, reasons for testing, and temporal trends.ResultsResults included 5693 Blastomyces complement fixation tests (of those, 12% were positive), 71 858 immunodiffusion tests (0.1% positive), and 1186 serum enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests (11% positive); 154 989 Coccidioides EIA immunoglobulin M results (5% positive) and 154 968 immunoglobulin G results (8% positive); and 46 346 Histoplasma complement fixation tests (30% positive), 49 062 immunodiffusion tests (1% positive), 35 506 serum EIA tests (4% positive), and 82 489 urine EIA tests (2% positive). Most histoplasmosis (58%-74%) and blastomycosis (42%-68%) tests were ordered from hospitals, whereas coccidioidomycosis tests were most frequently ordered by primary care providers (40%). A yearly average of 2727 positive tests were ordered by healthcare providers in states without public health surveillance for these diseases.ConclusionsBlastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis are likely underdetected in primary care settings or by public health surveillance. Increased testing by primary care providers and expanded surveillance are needed to reduce disease burden.
Project description:BackgroundIn the United States, norovirus is the leading cause of healthcare-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks. To inform prevention efforts, we describe the epidemiology of norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).MethodsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collect epidemiologic and laboratory data on norovirus outbreaks from US health departments through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) and CaliciNet. Reports from both systems were merged, and norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes, assisted living, and other LTCFs occurring in 2009-2018 were analyzed. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Center for Health Statistics were used to estimate state LTCF counts.ResultsDuring 2009-2018, 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico reported 13 092 norovirus outbreaks and 416 284 outbreak-associated cases in LTCFs. Participation in NORS and CaliciNet increased from 2009 to 2014 and median reporting of LTCF norovirus outbreaks stabilized at 4.1 outbreaks per 100 LTCFs (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.0-7.1) annually since 2014. Most outbreaks were spread via person-to-person transmission (90.4%), and 75% occurred during December-March. Genogroup was reported for 7292 outbreaks with 862 (11.8%) positive for GI and 6370 (87.3%) for GII. Among 4425 GII outbreaks with typing data, 3618 (81.8%) were GII.4. LTCF residents had higher attack rates than staff (median 29.0% vs 10.9%; P < .001). For every 1000 cases, there were 21.6 hospitalizations and 2.3 deaths.ConclusionsLTCFs have a high burden of norovirus outbreaks. Most LTCF norovirus outbreaks occurred during winter months and were spread person-to-person. Outbreak surveillance can inform development of interventions for this vulnerable population, such as vaccines targeting GII.4 norovirus strains.
Project description:This report updates surveillance results for COPD in the United States. For 1999 to 2011, data from national data systems for adults aged?25 years were analyzed. In 2011, 6.5% of adults (approximately 13.7 million) reported having been diagnosed with COPD. From 1999 to 2011, the overall age-adjusted prevalence of having been diagnosed with COPD declined (P=.019). In 2010, there were 10.3 million (494.8 per 10,000) physician office visits, 1.5 million (72.0 per 10,000) ED visits, and 699,000 (32.2 per 10,000) hospital discharges for COPD. From 1999 to 2010, no significant overall trends were noted for physician office visits and ED visits; however, the age-adjusted hospital discharge rate for COPD declined significantly (P=.001). In 2010 there were 312,654 (11.2 per 1,000) Medicare hospital discharge claims submitted for COPD. Medicare claims (1999-2010) declined overall (P=.045), among men (P=.022) and among enrollees aged 65 to 74 years (P=.033). There were 133,575 deaths (63.1 per 100,000) from COPD in 2010. The overall age-adjusted death rate for COPD did not change during 1999 to 2010 (P=.163). Death rates (1999-2010) increased among adults aged 45 to 54 years (P<.001) and among American Indian/Alaska Natives (P=.008) but declined among those aged 55 to 64 years (P=.002) and 65 to 74 years (P<.001), Hispanics (P=.038), Asian/Pacific Islanders (P<.001), and men (P=.001). Geographic clustering of prevalence, Medicare hospitalizations, and deaths were observed. Declines in the age-adjusted prevalence, death rate in men, and hospitalizations for COPD since 1999 suggest progress in the prevention of COPD in the United States.
Project description:Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an uncommon but progressive condition, and much of what we know about it comes from specialized disease registries. With expanding research into the diagnosis and treatment of PH, it is important to provide updated surveillance on the impact of this disease on hospitalizations and mortality. This study, which builds on previous PH surveillance of mortality and hospitalization, analyzed mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System and data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey between 2001 and 2010. PH deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes I27.0, I27.2, I27.8, or I27.9 as any contributing cause of death on the death certificate. Hospital discharges associated with PH were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 416.0, 416.8, or 416.9 as one of up to seven listed medical diagnoses. The decline in death rates associated with PH among men from 1980 to 2005 has reversed and now shows a significant increasing trend. Similarly, the death rates for women with PH have continued to increase significantly during the past decade. PH-associated mortality rates for those aged 85 years and older have accelerated compared with rates for younger age groups. There have been significant declines in PH-associated mortality rates for those with pulmonary embolism and emphysema. Rates of hospitalization for PH have increased significantly for both men and women during the past decade; for those aged 85 years and older, hospitalization rates have nearly doubled. Continued surveillance helps us understand and address the evolving trends in hospitalization and mortality associated with PH and PH-associated conditions, especially regarding sex, age, and race/ethnicity disparities.
Project description:BackgroundHistoplasmosis is often described as the most common endemic mycosis in the United States, but much remains unknown about its epidemiology among the general population.MethodsWe conducted enhanced surveillance in 9 states during 2018-2019 by identifying cases through routine surveillance and interviewing 301 patients about their clinical features and exposures.ResultsBefore being tested for histoplasmosis, 60% saw a health care provider ≥3 times, and 53% received antibacterial medication. The median time from seeking health care to diagnosis (range) was 23 (0-269) days. Forty-nine percent were hospitalized, and 69% said that histoplasmosis interfered with their daily activities (median [range], 56 [2-3960] days). Possible exposures included handling plants (48%) and bird or bat droppings (24%); 22% reported no specific exposures. Only 15% had heard of histoplasmosis before their illness.ConclusionsHistoplasmosis can be severe and prolonged. Additional educational efforts to increase public and provider awareness and reduce delays in diagnosis are needed.