MMWR News Synopsis

Articles

Outbreaks Associated with Treated Recreational Water — United States, 2015–2019

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Even when swimming in properly treated pools, you can get sick from germs in the water. A new report shows there were more than 200 disease outbreaks linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds during 2015–2019. Even in properly treated pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds, germs can potentially spread. For 2015–2019, public health officials in 36 states and the District of Columbia reported 208 outbreaks linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds. These outbreaks resulted in at least 3,646 cases, 286 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths during the five-year period. Most outbreaks linked to pools and water playgrounds were caused by Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), a parasite that can survive in properly chlorinated pools for more than a week. To help prevent these outbreaks, swimmers and caregivers of young swimmers can follow CDC’s healthy swimming steps and local public health officials and pool operators can work together to voluntarily adopt CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC).

Update to U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use: Self-Administration of Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

CDC has updated the U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use with a new recommendation that self-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) should be made available as an additional approach to deliver injectable contraception. DMPA-SC is a progestin-only injectable contraception method that is delivered under the skin rather than into muscle. Self-administered DMPA-SC should be made available as an additional approach to deliver injectable contraception; provider-administered DMPA should remain available. Self-administered DMPA-SC should be offered in a noncoercive, person-centered, and equitable manner, as part of access to the full range of contraceptive methods.

Characteristics of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks at Child Care Facilities — District of Columbia, July–December 2020

Sasha McGee, Senior Infectious Disease Epidemiologist
Office Phone: (202) 442-9065
Cell Phone: (301) 768-8343
Sasha.McGee@dc.gov

Comprehensive prevention measures reduced the spread of COVID-19 at licensed child care facilities in Washington, D.C. A study found that outbreaks in about 6% of licensed D.C. child care facilities accounted for almost half of all cases linked to child care facilities. More than half of people who were infected were teachers or other staff at these facilities. From July 1–December 31, 2020, about 1 out of 4 child care facilities in Washington, D.C. reported at least one COVID-19 case. Less than 6% of the 469 licensed child care facilities in D.C. reported a COVID-19 outbreak, defined as two or more cases, underscoring the importance of implementing a combination of prevention strategies to prevent outbreaks, including quarantine of close contacts. Delay of more than three days in seeking testing for symptomatic people was associated with COVID-19 outbreaks. Symptom monitoring is critical for early detection, diagnosis, and isolation to reduce facility outbreaks. More than 20% of COVID-19 cases were in asymptomatic people and most of these were children. COVID-19 outbreaks were more likely to occur in D.C. child care facilities operating for less than three years, compared with those facilities that had operated for more than a decade. Older, more established facilities might have more resources and experience in using prevention measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Continued implementation of public health recommendations and reporting of cases in a timely manner are essential to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 in child care facilities. Implementing and maintaining multiple prevention strategies, including vaccination, masking, physical distancing, cohorting, screening, and reporting are important to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in child care facilities and to facilitate a timely public health response to prevent outbreaks.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Interim Recommendation for Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Aged 12–15 years — United States, May 2021 (Early Release May 14, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
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Interim Estimates of Vaccine Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Among Health Care Personnel — 33 U.S. Sites, January–March 2021 (Early Release May 14, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
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Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Between Urban and Rural Counties — United States, December 14, 2020–April 10, 2021 (Early Release May 18, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

• Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Four Selected Mechanisms of Injury — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 1979–2019

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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.