MMWR News Synopsis

Friday, July 9, 2021

Articles

Unexpected Hepatitis B Virus Infection After Liver Transplantation — United States, 2014–2019

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

CDC data reinforce current guidelines that health care providers should test liver recipients for hepatitis B at four to six weeks post-transplant. Providers should also consider additional testing again at one year post-transplant or at any time signs or symptoms of viral hepatitis develop, even if previous tests were negative. During 2014–2019, CDC received 20 reports of hepatitis B among recipients of liver transplants from donors who had no evidence of past or current hepatitis B at the time of organ recovery. While hepatitis B infection related to organ transplantation remains rare, these data reinforce the importance of following current U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines. Clinicians caring for recipients of organs from donors who injected nonprescription drugs or who had hepatitis C should be aware of the risk, although low, of unexpected donor-derived hepatitis B virus infection in these patients.

Outcomes Among Patients Referred to Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinics After COVID-19 Diagnosis — United States, January 2020–March 2021

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

People who have had COVID-19 might experience continued poor physical and mental health and need additional support and tailored rehabilitation services. Health care systems and providers should be prepared to recognize and meet the ongoing needs of these patients. Maximizing vaccination for all eligible people will prevent COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 conditions. Using data from the Select Medical network, including 36 states and the District of Columbia during January 2020–March 2021, CDC assessed patient-reported measures of physical and mental health, physical endurance, and use of health care services among people who had COVID-19 (post-COVID-19 patients) and were referred to outpatient rehabilitation. Comparisons were made with patients referred for cancer rehabilitation in the same network and time frame (control patients). Post-COVID-19 patients who were referred to outpatient rehabilitation reported substantially poorer health at intake compared with control patients, including poorer physical health, more pain, and greater difficulty with physical activities. Patients recovering from COVID-19 might need additional clinical support, including tailored physical and mental health rehabilitation services.

Efficacy of Portable Air Cleaners and Masking for Reducing Indoor Exposure to Simulated Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols — United States, 2021 (Early Release July 2, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Myocarditis Among Vaccine Recipients: Update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, June 2021 (Early Release July 6, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

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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.