MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, October 9, 2020
- Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among HIV-Positive Hispanic and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2015–2019
- Characteristics Associated with Adults Remembering to Wash Hands in Multiple Situations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, October 2019 and June 2020
- Case Series of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection — United Kingdom and United States, March–August 2020 (Early release October 2, 2020)
- Adolescent with COVID-19 as the Source of an Outbreak at a 3-Week Family Gathering — Four States, June–July 2020 (Early release October 5, 2020)
- Trends in COVID-19 Incidence After Implementation of Mitigation Measures — Arizona, January 22–August 7, 2020 (Early release October 6, 2020)
- Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Afghanistan, January 2019–July 2020
- QuickStats
Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among HIV-Positive Hispanic and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2015–2019
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
HIV disproportionately affects Hispanic/Latino communities in the United States, with gay and bisexual men being particularly affected – underscoring the need for culturally appropriate interventions aimed at improving treatment adherence. HIV treatment helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and get and keep an undetectable viral load. Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men account for nearly a quarter (24%) of all gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV infection in the United States. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for viral suppression, which improves health outcomes and prevents HIV transmission. However, too few are receiving the HIV care and treatment that will help them live longer, healthier lives. This analysis examined ART adherence and reasons for missing ART doses among HIV-positive Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men during 2015–2019. The analysis found that 77% of Latino gay and bisexual men reported high ART adherence. However, lower ART adherence was reported among individuals of younger age or that reported poverty, recent drug use, depression, and unmet needs for services. The most common reason for missing an ART dose was forgetting, followed by a change in daily routine or travel, and having fallen asleep early or overslept (63%, 42%, and 34%, respectively). These findings support enhancing services that help reduce barriers to ART adherence and emphasizing culturally appropriate interventions aimed at improving adherence.
Characteristics Associated with Adults Remembering to Wash Hands in Multiple Situations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, October 2019 and June 2020
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Findings from this analysis suggest handwashing behaviors may have improved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. adults were more likely to remember handwashing after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their noses, and before eating in a restaurant or at home during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) than before the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2019).. However, progress was uneven among specific groups. Washing hands frequently, staying six feet away from people who don’t live with you, and wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth are critical steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 Despite increases, there is room for improvement, as fewer than 3 out of every 4 survey respondents reported remembering to wash their hands in these three situations in 2020. Additionally, men, young adults, and non-Hispanic White people are less likely to wash hands than other groups.
Case Series of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection — United Kingdom and United States, March–August 2020 (Early release October 2, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Adolescent with COVID-19 as the Source of an Outbreak at a 3-Week Family Gathering — Four States, June–July 2020 (Early release October 5, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Trends in COVID-19 Incidence After Implementation of Mitigation Measures — Arizona, January 22–August 7, 2020 (Early release October 6, 2020)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Afghanistan, January 2019–July 2020
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
The COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts in Afghanistan halted polio vaccination campaigns for months, compounding existing barriers to vaccine access – including campaign bans by the insurgency – further increasing the number of at-risk children. Wild poliovirus circulation increased during 2019–2020 and a new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak was reported in 2020. Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission is ongoing in two remaining countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan reported increasing numbers of WPV1 cases from 2017–2020 after declining from 2013–2016. During January–July 2020, 41 WPV1 cases were reported compared with 15 during the same period in 2019. In addition, a recent outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 has resulted in 69 cases so far in 2020. Since April 2018, insurgent groups have imposed bans on house-to-house vaccination campaigns. Some vaccination campaigns restarted in September of 2019 in health facilities under insurgency control. During March–June 2020, all campaigns were paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To quickly close gaps in protection caused by insecurity and the more recent pauses due to COVID-19, the program must increase community demand for polio vaccination, address additional community health needs, and integrate polio vaccination into humanitarian services.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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