MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, August 5, 2022
- Outbreaks of Acute Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with a Splash Pad in a Wildlife Park — Kansas, June 2021
- Interim Recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged ≥18 years — United States, July 2022
- Post-COVID Symptoms and Conditions Among Children and Adolescents — United States, March 1, 2020–January 31, 2022
- Notes from the Field
- Quick Stats
Articles
Outbreaks of Acute Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with a Splash Pad in a Wildlife Park — Kansas, June 2021
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
Two outbreaks linked to splash pads in June 2021 highlight the risk of water contamination in splash pads and why it’s important for operators to maintain adequate chlorine levels.Splash pad water contaminated with germs from feces (poop) can make users sick if they swallow the water and operators don’t maintain adequate chlorine levels. In June 2021, CDC assisted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Sedgwick County Health Department with an investigation of two splash pad–associated outbreaks: one caused by Shigella and another by norovirus. Caregivers of young children can take the following steps to help stop the spread of germs: do not use splash pads if sick with diarrhea; do not sit or stand on the jets; and do not swallow the water. Splash pad operators can partner with pool inspectors to
Interim Recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged ≥18 years — United States, July 2022
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for use in people ages 18 and older. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine provides an additional option for unvaccinated adults, increasing flexibility for the public and for vaccine providers.
Post-COVID Symptoms and Conditions Among Children and Adolescents — United States, March 1, 2020–January 31, 2022
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
A new CDC study found an increased risk for post-COVID conditions, also known as Long COVID, among children and teens, many of which were rare or uncommon in pediatric patients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These conditions included blood clots, heart conditions, kidney failure, and type 1 diabetes. COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination for all eligible children older than 6 months of age, are critical to preventing COVID-19 and subsequent illness, reducing post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are new, recurring, or ongoing health problems occurring at least 4 weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Previous studies have estimated the rate of post-COVID conditions among adults; however, data on post-COVID conditions among children younger than 18 years of age are limited. Using a large medical claims database, this study assessed post-COVID symptoms and conditions among 781,419 U.S. children aged 0–17 years with COVID-19 who presented for medical care. During March 1, 2020–January 31, 2022, investigators found an increased risk of four symptoms and eight conditions 31–365 days following COVID-19 among children aged 0–17 years. Children who had COVID-19 were at a higher rate of experiencing certain symptoms or conditions, including blood clots, heart conditions, kidney failure, and type 1 diabetes. Many of these conditions were rare or uncommon among children in this analysis, but even a small increase in these conditions is notable. Caregivers and health care professionals who are in contact with children aged 0–17 years need to be aware of the common symptoms and warning signs of post-COVID conditions.
- Increase in Pediatric Intracranial Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Eight Pediatric Hospitals, March 2020–March 2022
CDC, in collaboration with state and local health departments, academic partners, and health care providers, is investigating a possible increase in intracranial (head) infections in children. It’s too soon to say whether there is an actual increase in cases. CDC is focusing on determining if and why more of these cases might be occurring and what could be done to prevent them.An increase in the average number of intracranial bacterial infections among children was observed across eight children’s hospitals (March 2020—March 2022) that responded to a survey. Intracranial bacterial infections occur as a rare
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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.
