Monkeypox in a Traveler Returning from Nigeria - Dallas, Texas, July 2021.

Monkeypox is a rare, sometimes life-threatening zoonotic infection that occurs in west and central Africa. It is caused by Monkeypox virus, an orthopoxvirus similar to Variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) and Vaccinia virus (the live virus component of orthopoxvirus vaccines) and can spread to humans. After 39 years without detection of human disease in Nigeria, an outbreak involving 118 confirmed cases was identified during 2017-2018 (1); sporadic cases continue to occur. During September 2018-May 2021, six unrelated persons traveling from Nigeria received diagnoses of monkeypox in non-African countries: four in the United Kingdom and one each in Israel and Singapore. In July 2021, a man who traveled from Lagos, Nigeria, to Dallas, Texas, became the seventh traveler to a non-African country with diagnosed monkeypox. Among 194 monitored contacts, 144 (74%) were flight contacts. The patient received tecovirimat, an antiviral for treatment of orthopoxvirus infections, and his home required large-scale decontamination. Whole genome sequencing showed that the virus was consistent with a strain of Monkeypox virus known to circulate in Nigeria, but the specific source of the patient's infection was not identified. No epidemiologically linked cases were reported in Nigeria; no contact received postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the orthopoxvirus vaccine ACAM2000.

Opioid Overdose Outbreak - West Virginia, August 2016.

On August 15, 2016, the Mayor's Office of Drug Control Policy in Huntington, West Virginia, notified the Cabell-Huntington Health Department (CHHD) of multiple calls regarding opioid overdose received by the emergency medical system (EMS) during 3 p.m.-8 p.m. that day. A public health investigation and response conducted by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (BPH) and CHHD identified 20 opioid overdose cases within a 53-hour period in Cabell County; all cases included emergency department (ED) encounters. EMS personnel, other first responders, and ED providers administered the opioid antidote naloxone to 16 (80%) patients, six of whom were administered multiple doses, suggesting exposure to a highly potent opioid. No patients received referral for recovery support services. In addition to the public health investigation, a public safety investigation was conducted; comprehensive opioid toxicology testing of clinical specimens identified the synthetic opioid fentanyl* and novel fentanyl analogs, including carfentanil,† which had been used by patients who overdosed in Huntington. Results of these two investigations highlight the importance of collaboration between public health and public safety agencies to provide in-depth surveillance data from opioid overdose outbreaks that involve high-potency fentanyl analogs. These data facilitated a public health response through increased awareness of powerful opioid substances requiring multiple naloxone doses for reversal, and improved patient linkage to recovery support services and a harm reduction program from the ED after opioid overdose.

Notes from the Field: Health Care-Associated Outbreak of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis--West Virginia, 2015.

On September 4, 2015, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH) was notified by an urban ophthalmology practice of 13 patients with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) diagnosed during the preceding 3 weeks. EKC is an eye infection characterized by severe inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea, and can result in vision loss. Pathogens commonly detected in EKC outbreaks are human adenovirus (HAdV) serotypes 8, 19, and 37, which are spread person-to-person or by fomites; no vaccines or effective antiviral treatments are available. HAdVs that cause EKC are resistant to desiccation and certain common surface disinfectants. Incubation periods of approximately 14 days, prolonged viral shedding, and persistence of live virus on some surfaces for up to 30 days hamper outbreak prevention and control efforts. EKC often occurs simultaneously in health care settings and the community. EKC is not a reportable disease and outbreak reporting is often delayed; the incidence in West Virginia is unknown.

Hospital, Maternal and Birth Factors Associated With Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth: West Virginia, 2015.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus is a bloodborne pathogen typically transmitted through sexual contact, injection drug use or perinatally. A hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) is available; the first dose is recommended at birth. We sought to identify hospital policy, maternal characteristics and birth factors associated with HepB receipt at birth in West Virginia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of West Virginia live births in 2015 using vital records matched to immunization registry records to determine frequency of HepB birth dose receipt (<3 days postdelivery). We surveyed all West Virginia birthing facilities in 2015 (N = 26) about perinatal hepatitis B virus prevention policies. We examined associations of hospital policy, maternal characteristics and birth factors with HepB receipt at birth by using a mixed-effects regression model to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Of 17,458 births, 14,006 (80.2%) infants received a HepB birth dose. Hospital use of preprinted newborn routine admission vaccination orders was associated with HepB birth dose receipt (aPR: 10.60; 95% CI: 2.12-52.72). Not using illicit drugs during pregnancy, maternal age <35 years and weekday births were associated with HepB birth dose receipt (aPR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.54-2.13; aPR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54 and aPR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03-1.28, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals using preprinted admission orders had higher frequencies of HepB birth dose receipt. Additional study is needed to identify HepB birth dose receipt barriers among infants with maternal illicit drug use, maternal age ≥35 years or deliveries during a weekend.