MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, August 16, 2019
- Healthy Contact Lens Behaviors Communicated by Eye Care Providers and Recalled by Patients — United States, 2018
- Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Adults
- Updated CDC Recommendation for Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
- Notes from the Field
- QuickStats
- Contact Lens Health Week
Healthy Contact Lens Behaviors Communicated by Eye Care Providers and Recalled by Patients — United States, 2018
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Findings from surveys of contact lens wearers and eye care providers show a gap in provider-patient communication. Improving patient education can help reduce lens-related eye infections. An estimated 45 million Americans benefit from wearing contact lenses and nearly all practice at least one behavior that puts them at risk for serious eye infections. Two surveys were conducted to better understand and assess contact lens recommendations: one assessing adult contact lens wearer experiences regarding recommendations received from eye care providers (ECPs), and the other assessing ECP practices communicating contact lens care recommendations to their patients. Findings show one-third of contact lens wearers recalled never hearing any lens-care recommendations while most ECPs reported mentioning key recommendations to patients always or most of the time. ECPs play an important role in securing the health of their contact lens-wearing patients and can share health communication materials to help educate them about healthy wear and care habits.
Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Adults
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
CDC recommends vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) at age 11 to 12 years, and now also recommends catch-up vaccination through age 26 years for all genders. Although CDC does not recommend catch-up vaccination for all adults ages 27 through 45 years, some people in this age range who are at risk for new HPV infection might benefit from vaccination. HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections that can cause cancers and other health problems. Because vaccination provides the most benefit when given before exposure to any HPV, it is recommended for all 11- to 12-year-olds. Catch-up recommendations apply to people not vaccinated as preteens. This report updates CDC recommendations for adults in the United States.I It harmonizes the catch-up age through age 26 years for all genders and adds guidance about HPV vaccination for adults ages 27 through 45 years who are at risk for new HPV infection and might benefit from vaccination. Although 9-valent HPV vaccine is licensed for use through age 45 years, CDC does not recommend it for all such adults, and clinicians need not discuss HPV vaccination with all adults over the age of 26 years because most people in this age range are unlikely to benefit from vaccination.
Updated CDC Recommendation for Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared new Lyme disease tests that are easier to use and interpret. CDC recognizes these assays as an acceptable alternative to the existing, CDC-recommended 2-tier test. On July 29, 2019, FDA cleared several new tests for the diagnosis of Lyme disease that apply a modified algorithm. The modified algorithm uses two tests, called enzyme immunoassays (EIA), that run concurrently or sequentially in contrast to the previous algorithm in which a Western Blot followed the initial EIA test. Likely benefits of the new testing algorithm include objective interpretation of test results; easier reporting of test results to health care providers and patients; potential reduced cost; and improved sensitivity in early Lyme disease. For details, see https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/.. While these new tests have the potential to make testing faster and less expensive, they do not directly test for the presence of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Rather they detect the body’s immune response to the bacteria.
- A Multi-Partner Response to Prevent a Binational Rabies Outbreak — Anse-à-Pitre, Haiti, 2019
- Rabies Outbreak Investigation — Pedernales, Dominican Republic, 2019
Following an increase in human rabies cases in a province of Dominican Republic bordering Haiti, both countries and international partners launched a robust outbreak response to prevent additional cases, control rabies on both sides of the border, and identify future opportunities to improve rabies prevention in the area. In July 2018, Pedernales Province in Dominican Republic reported its first case of human rabies in more than 30 years. By the end of 2018, two additional cases had been reported, all three occurring in young children. Because Pedernales borders the community of Anse-a-Pitre, Haiti, public health officials in both countries launched a coordinated outbreak response with assistance from CDC and international partners. The investigation and response focused on active surveillance for animal bites and rabies cases, evaluation and expansion of dog vaccination coverage, verification of potency of rabies vaccines used for dogs and people, and evaluation of whether dogs might be crossing the border between the two countries. Due to the close association of the two areas and mixing of dog populations, continued coordination will be necessary for effective rabies prevention and control.
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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, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.
