A hospital-associated measles outbreak in health workers in Beijing: Implications for measles elimination in China, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Since the National Action Plan for Measles Elimination 2006-2012 was released in 2006, China has entered into an era of accelerated measles elimination. Despite substantial decline, measles outbreak continued to occur mainly in a non-targeted population, in particular health workers due to occupational exposure. We investigated a measles outbreak in a Chinese medicine hospital, Beijing, in March 2018. METHODS: Descriptive analysis was performed on epidemiology of the outbreak, clinical and laboratory evaluations, vaccination status of cases, and public health response. A case-control study was also conducted to identify the associated risk factors for measles. RESULTS: From March 13, 2018, through March 27, 2018, a total of 11 measles cases in health workers were reported in Hospital X, Beijing. The median age of cases was 26 years (range, 21-53) and 4 (36.4%) were male. Of the 11 cases, ten had not been vaccinated or had unknown vaccination status; two occurred in emergency departments. No inpatients became infected, 141 (83.9%) of whom in affected departments were 55 years of age or older. The outbreak was confirmed by laboratory testing; the virus strain was genotype H1. The response activities included isolation of cases, and enhanced health surveillance of health workers and inpatients, particularly in affected departments. A total of 2234 doses of measles-containing vaccines (MCVs) were administered, covering 93.3% of susceptible health workers, in addition to 973 doses to the susceptible individuals in household and community. Lack of documentation of MCV vaccination before the outbreak was identified as a risk factor for measles (odd ratio: 3.333, 95% confidence interval: 1.295-8.621). CONCLUSIONS: High coverage of outbreak response immunization activities contributed largely to limit the spread of measles and might provide an indirect protection for inpatients. 2-Dose measles-containing vaccination of personnel in healthcare settings is warranted to prevent potential nosocomial transmission of measles.

Effects of restraint stress on iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium whole blood levels in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Study the effects of acute and chronic restraint stress on the whole blood concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single or repeat restraints were applied to mice to induce acute or chronic stress. The levels of elements in whole blood were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The levels of Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg in blood in the acute-stress group were 351, 5.05, 60, and 44 microg/ml, respectively, and those in the corresponding control group were 391, 5.90, 59, and 45 microg/ml, respectively. The levels of blood Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg in the chronic-stress group were 291, 3.62, 59, and 40 microg/ml, respectively, and those in the corresponding control group were 393, 4.82, 48, and 43 microg/ml, respectively. The levels of Fe and Zn in the blood of both the acute-stress and the chronic-stress groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in the control groups. The Ca level in whole blood was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the chronic-stress group than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Acute and chronic restraint stress can cause changes in blood levels of Fe and Zn in mice.

[Determination of Pb, Cd, Hg and As in three sorts of Chinese traditional medicine treating tumor by ICP-MS].

A method was proposed to determine Pb, Cd, Hg and As in three sorts of Chinese traditional medicine treating tumor (Jinkehuaier, Huachansu and Fufangkushen) by ICP-MS. The result shows that the contents of the four elements Pb, Cd, Hg and As in these three sorts of Chinese traditional medicine treating tumor are low, which are all correspond with the import standard in Southeast Asia. The contents of Hg and As in Jinkehuaier are higher than the standard of U.S. FDA about drug and health food. ICP-MS is a quick and accurate method for the determination of Pb, Cd, Hg and As in Chinese traditional medicine.