MMWR News Synopsis for March 2, 2017

Cancer Screening Test Use — United States, 2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Screening can reduce deaths from cancers but breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening test use remains below national targets. More adults are getting screened for colorectal cancer, but too many remain untested. Screening can find cancers in their early stages, when treatment is more effective. While many adults were up-to-date with cancer screening tests in 2015, use was below national targets. Sixty-two percent of adults reported getting colorectal cancer screening as recommended (Healthy People 2020 target 70.5 percent). Among women of screening age, 71.5 percent reported having a mammogram within two years (target 81.1 percent) and 83 percent reported having a Pap test within three years or a Pap with an HPV test within five years (target 93.0 percent). People should talk with their health care providers about which screening tests are best for them, the age to start screening, and how often they should receive these tests.

Short Sleep Duration by Occupation Group — 29 States, 2013–2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

There are significant differences in short sleep duration among occupational groups even after adjusting for relevant sociodemographic characteristics. Occupation is an important factor to consider in sleep research and interventions. Short sleep duration (<7 hours per day) is linked to numerous health outcomes and safety issues such as cardiovascular disease, depression, and injuries. Among the U.S. working population, short sleep duration accounts for an estimated $411 billion annual cost to the economy, including 1.2 million lost work days each year. CDC examined the association between occupation and short sleep duration among currently employed workers and found that out of the 22 major occupation groups evaluated, production (42.9%) had the highest prevalence of short sleep duration even after adjustment for certain sociodemographic characteristics. Out of the 93 detailed occupation groups evaluated, communications equipment operators (58.2%), other transportation workers (54.0%), and rail transportation workers (52.7%) had the highest prevalence of short sleep duration. This research suggests that there are occupational differences in sleep duration, and the workplace may be an important place for needed interventions.

Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality — United States, 1999–2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Despite regulatory actions and decline in asbestos use, the annual number of malignant mesothelioma deaths remains substantial. The continuing occurrence of mesothelioma deaths, particularly among younger populations, underscores the need to continue efforts to prevent exposure and to monitor temporal trends. Contrary to past projections, the annual number of malignant mesothelioma deaths in the United States is increasing (from 2,483 deaths in 1999 to 2,785 in 2014). The increase was observed among older age groups, most likely representing exposure many years ago. However, although mesothelioma deaths significantly decreased in people age 35–55 years, the continuing occurrence of mesothelioma deaths in this younger population indicates an ongoing exposure to asbestiform minerals, despite regulatory actions. Occupational exposure has occurred in industrial operations including mining and milling, manufacturing, shipbuilding and repair, and construction. Current exposure occurs predominantly during maintenance and remediation of asbestos-containing buildings.

Prevalence of Microcephaly and Other Birth Defects Associated with Congenital Zika Virus Infection — Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, 2013–2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

CDC scientists evaluated information on birth defects that have been observed with Zika virus infection to see how common they were in the years before the Zika outbreak in the Americas. Using data from three birth defects surveillance programs in the United States, CDC found that about 3 out of every 1,000 births had one or more of these conditions during 2013–2014. Previously published data from the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry estimated that these conditions occurred in about 58 out of every 1,000 infants born after Zika infection during pregnancy, or about 20 times more often than in pregnancies in the pre-Zika years. The largest difference was for brain abnormalities and/or microcephaly, which occurred about 30 times more often in pregnancies with Zika infections than in the pre-Zika years. This new report provides a reference to help interpret the impact of Zika on the occurrence of these birth defects in the United States.

Reported Adverse Health Effects in Children from Ingestion of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers — United States, 2011–2014

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Health care providers and caregivers need to be aware of the risks associated with improper use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products among children and the need to use proper safety precautions. Increased parental or teacher supervision may be needed while using alcohol hand sanitizer products, especially for older children who may be abusing these products during the school year. In this study of hand sanitizer exposures in children less than 12, more than 90% of all exposures occurred among children aged 0–5 years. Children aged 6–12 years had more intentional exposures, suggesting this might be a potential drug of abuse among older children. Older children also reported more symptoms and had worse outcomes than did younger children. Major (life-threatening) outcomes were rare. Seasonal trends in data might correlate with increased use during the school year or flu season.

Response to a Large Polio Outbreak in a Setting of Conflict — Middle East, 2013‒2015

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Countries experiencing active conflict and chronic insecurity are at increased risk for polio outbreaks, owing to the negative impact of political instability and population displacement on the delivery of immunization services. Adoption of a concerted approach to planning and implementing response activities with involvement of more stable neighboring countries — as exemplified by the Middle East polio outbreak response – could serve as a useful model for responding to other polio outbreaks in settings of conflict.. This report describes the response to a wild poliovirus outbreak, which occurred in Syria and Iraq during 2013‒2014 following importation of a poliovirus strain circulating in Pakistan. The outbreak represented the first occurrence of polio cases in both countries in over a decade and resulted in 38 polio cases, including 36 in Syria and two in Iraq. The civil war in Syria led to significant disruption in the delivery of immunization services, leaving many children born during the crisis vulnerable to poliovirus infection. Nonetheless, development and implementation of an integrated response plan for strengthening acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and synchronized mass vaccination campaigns by eight national governments in the Middle East facilitated interruption of the outbreak within six months of its identification.

Notes from the Field:

• None

Quick Stats:

• Number of Deaths Resulting from Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, by Month and Year — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2010–2015

###

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety, and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, stem from human error or deliberate attack, CDC is committed to respond to America’s most pressing health challenges.