Large-scale agricultural burning and cardiorespiratory emergency department visits in the U.S. state of Kansas.

BACKGROUND: Prescribed agricultural burning is a common land management practice, but little is known about the health effects from the resulting smoke exposure. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between smoke from prescribed burning and cardiorespiratory outcomes in the U.S. state of Kansas. METHODS: We analyzed a zip code-level, daily time series of primary cardiorespiratory emergency department (ED) visits for February-May (months when prescribed burning is common in Kansas) in the years 2009-2011 (n = 109,220). Given limited monitoring data, we formulated a measure of smoke exposure using non-traditional datasets, including fire radiative power and locational attributes from remote sensing data sources. We then assigned a population-weighted potential smoke impact factor (PSIF) to each zip code, based on fire intensity, smoke transport, and fire proximity. We used Poisson generalized linear models to estimate the association between PSIF on the same day and in the past 3 days and asthma, respiratory including asthma, and cardiovascular ED visits. RESULTS: During the study period, prescribed burning took place on approximately 8 million acres in Kansas. Same-day PSIF was associated with a 7% increase in the rate of asthma ED visits when adjusting for month, year, zip code, meteorology, day of week, holidays, and correlation within zip codes (rate ratio [RR]: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.13). Same-day PSIF was not associated with a combined outcome of respiratory ED visits (RR [95% CI]: 0.99 [0.97, 1.02]), or cardiovascular ED visits (RR [95% CI]: 1.01 [0.98, 1.04]). There was no consistent association between PSIF during the past 3 days and any of the outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest an association between smoke exposure and asthma ED visits on the same day. Elucidating these associations will help guide public health programs that address population-level exposure to smoke from prescribed burning.

Lessons Learned From a Qualitative COVID-19 Investigation Among Essential Workers With Limited English Proficiency in Southwest Kansas.

In this commentary, we briefly describe our methodology in conducting a remote qualitative investigation with essential workers from southwest Kansas, and then describe some key considerations, challenges, and lessons learned in recruiting and conducting interviews remotely. From August 4, 2020 through August 26, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff conducted five phone interviews with culturally and linguistically diverse employees in southwest Kansas to understand COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices and communication preferences. Our experience details the potential challenges of the federal government in recruiting individuals from these communities and highlights the possibilities for more effectively engaging health department and community partners to support investigation efforts. Optimizing recruitment strategies with additional participation from community partners, developing culturally and linguistically appropriate data collection tools, and providing supportive resources and services may augment participation from refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities in similar remote investigations.

Multistate Outbreak of Melioidosis Associated with Imported Aromatherapy Spray.

Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an uncommon infection that is typically associated with exposure to soil and water in tropical and subtropical environments. It is rarely diagnosed in the continental United States. Patients with melioidosis in the United States commonly report travel to regions where melioidosis is endemic. We report a cluster of four non-travel-associated cases of melioidosis in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas. These cases were caused by the same strain of B. pseudomallei that was linked to an aromatherapy spray product imported from a melioidosis-endemic area.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seroprevalence and Reported Coronavirus Disease 2019 Cases in US Children, August 2020-May 2021.

BACKGROUND: Case-based surveillance of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases underestimates the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among children and adolescents. Our objectives were to estimate monthly SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and calculate ratios of SARS-CoV-2 infections to reported COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents in 8 US states. METHODS: Using data from the Nationwide Commercial Laboratory Seroprevalence Survey, we estimated monthly SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among children aged 0-17 years from August 2020 through May 2021. We calculated and compared cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection extrapolated from population-standardized seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, cumulative COVID-19 case reports since March 2020, and infection-to-case ratios among persons of all ages and children aged 0-17 years for each state. RESULTS: Of 41 583 residual serum specimens tested, children aged 0-4, 5-11, and 12-17 years accounted for 1619 (3.9%), 10 507 (25.3%), and 29 457 (70.8%), respectively. Median SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among children increased from 8% (range, 6%-20%) in August 2020 to 37% (range, 26%-44%) in May 2021. Estimated ratios of SARS-CoV-2 infections to reported COVID-19 cases in May 2021 ranged by state from 4.7-8.9 among children and adolescents to 2.2-3.9 for all ages combined. CONCLUSIONS: Through May 2021 in selected states, the majority of children with serum specimens included in serosurveys did not have evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Case-based surveillance underestimated the number of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 more than among all ages. Continued monitoring of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence should inform prevention and vaccination strategies.

Deaths in Children and Adolescents Associated With COVID-19 and MIS-C in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital course among persons <21 years of age with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated death. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of suspected SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths in the United States in persons <21 years of age during February 12 to July 31, 2020. All states and territories were invited to participate. We abstracted demographic and clinical data, including laboratory and treatment details, from medical records. RESULTS: We included 112 SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths from 25 participating jurisdictions. The median age was 17 years (IQR 8.5-19 years). Most decedents were male (71, 63%), 31 (28%) were Black (non-Hispanic) persons, and 52 (46%) were Hispanic persons. Ninety-six decedents (86%) had at least 1 underlying condition; obesity (42%), asthma (29%), and developmental disorders (22%) were most commonly documented. Among 69 hospitalized decedents, common complications included mechanical ventilation (75%) and acute respiratory failure (82%). The sixteen (14%) decedents who met multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) criteria were similar in age, sex, and race and/or ethnicity to decedents without MIS-C; 11 of 16 (69%) had at least 1 underlying condition. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths among persons <21 years of age occurred predominantly among Black (non-Hispanic) and Hispanic persons, male patients, and older adolescents. The most commonly reported underlying conditions were obesity, asthma, and developmental disorders. Decedents with coronavirus disease 2019 were more likely than those with MIS-C to have underlying medical conditions.

Coronavirus Disease among Workers in Food Processing, Food Manufacturing, and Agriculture Workplaces.

We describe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among US food manufacturing and agriculture workers and provide updated information on meat and poultry processing workers. Among 742 food and agriculture workplaces in 30 states, 8,978 workers had confirmed COVID-19; 55 workers died. Racial and ethnic minority workers could be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Rabies in a Dog Imported from Egypt - Kansas, 2019.

Although canine rabies virus variant (CRVV) was successfully eliminated from the United States after approximately 6 decades of vaccination campaigns, licensing requirements, and stray animal control, dogs remain the principal source of human rabies infections worldwide. A rabies vaccination certificate is required for dogs entering the United States from approximately 100 countries with endemic CRVV, including Egypt (1). On February 25, 2019, rabies was diagnosed in a dog imported from Egypt, representing the third canine rabies case imported from Egypt in 4 years (2,3). This dog and 25 others were imported by a pet rescue organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area on January 29. Upon entry into the United States, all 26 dogs had certificates of veterinary inspection, rabies vaccination certificates, and documentation of serologic conversion from a government-affiliated rabies laboratory in Egypt. CDC confirmed that the dog was infected with a CRVV that circulates in Egypt, underscoring the continued risk for CRVV reintroduction and concern regarding the legitimacy of vaccine documentation of dogs imported from countries considered at high risk for CRVV. Vaccination documentation of dogs imported from these countries should be critically evaluated before entry into the United States is permitted, and public health should be consulted upon suspicion of questionable documents.

Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities - United States, April-May 2020.

Meat and poultry processing facilities face distinctive challenges in the control of infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (1). COVID-19 outbreaks among meat and poultry processing facility workers can rapidly affect large numbers of persons. Assessment of COVID-19 cases among workers in 115 meat and poultry processing facilities through April 27, 2020, documented 4,913 cases and 20 deaths reported by 19 states (1). This report provides updated aggregate data from states regarding the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19, the number and demographic characteristics of affected workers, and the number of COVID-19-associated deaths among workers, as well as descriptions of interventions and prevention efforts at these facilities. Aggregate data on confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths among workers identified and reported through May 31, 2020, were obtained from 239 affected facilities (those with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case in one or more workers) in 23 states.* COVID-19 was confirmed in 16,233 workers, including 86 COVID-19-related deaths. Among 14 states reporting the total number of workers in affected meat and poultry processing facilities (112,616), COVID-19 was diagnosed in 9.1% of workers. Among 9,919 (61%) cases in 21 states with reported race/ethnicity, 87% occurred among racial and ethnic minority workers. Commonly reported interventions and prevention efforts at facilities included implementing worker temperature or symptom screening and COVID-19 education, mandating face coverings, adding hand hygiene stations, and adding physical barriers between workers. Targeted workplace interventions and prevention efforts that are appropriately tailored to the groups most affected by COVID-19 are critical to reducing both COVID-19-associated occupational risk and health disparities among vulnerable populations. Implementation of these interventions and prevention efforts† across meat and poultry processing facilities nationally could help protect workers in this critical infrastructure industry.

COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities - 19 States, April 2020.

Congregate work and residential locations are at increased risk for infectious disease transmission including respiratory illness outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is primarily spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Nationwide, the meat and poultry processing industry, an essential component of the U.S. food infrastructure, employs approximately 500,000 persons, many of whom work in proximity to other workers (1). Because of reports of initial cases of COVID-19, in some meat processing facilities, states were asked to provide aggregated data concerning the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19 and the number of workers with COVID-19 in these facilities, including COVID-19-related deaths. Qualitative data gathered by CDC during on-site and remote assessments were analyzed and summarized. During April 9-27, aggregate data on COVID-19 cases among 115 meat or poultry processing facilities in 19 states were reported to CDC. Among these facilities, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 4,913 (approximately 3%) workers, and 20 COVID-19-related deaths were reported. Facility barriers to effective prevention and control of COVID-19 included difficulty distancing workers at least 6 feet (2 meters) from one another (2) and in implementing COVID-19-specific disinfection guidelines.* Among workers, socioeconomic challenges might contribute to working while feeling ill, particularly if there are management practices such as bonuses that incentivize attendance. Methods to decrease transmission within the facility include worker symptom screening programs, policies to discourage working while experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and social distancing by workers. Source control measures (e.g., the use of cloth face covers) as well as increased disinfection of high-touch surfaces are also important means of preventing SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Mitigation efforts to reduce transmission in the community should also be considered. Many of these measures might also reduce asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission (3). Implementation of these public health strategies will help protect workers from COVID-19 in this industry and assist in preserving the critical meat and poultry production infrastructure (4).

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) controls bone formation and cell cycle progression during osteogenesis in mice.

Epigenetic mechanisms control skeletal development and osteoblast differentiation. Pharmacological inhibition of the histone 3 Lys-27 (H3K27) methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in WT mice enhances osteogenesis and stimulates bone formation. However, conditional genetic loss of Ezh2 early in the mesenchymal lineage (i.e. through excision via Prrx1 promoter-driven Cre) causes skeletal abnormalities due to patterning defects. Here, we addressed the key question of whether Ezh2 controls osteoblastogenesis at later developmental stages beyond patterning. We show that Ezh2 loss in committed pre-osteoblasts by Cre expression via the osterix/Sp7 promoter yields phenotypically normal mice. These Ezh2 conditional knock-out mice (Ezh2 cKO) have normal skull bones, clavicles, and long bones but exhibit increased bone marrow adiposity and reduced male body weight. Remarkably, in vivo Ezh2 loss results in a low trabecular bone phenotype in young mice as measured by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. Thus, Ezh2 affects bone formation stage-dependently. We further show that Ezh2 loss in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells suppresses osteogenic differentiation and impedes cell cycle progression as reflected by decreased metabolic activity, reduced cell numbers, and changes in cell cycle distribution and in expression of cell cycle markers. RNA-Seq analysis of Ezh2 cKO calvaria revealed that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Cdkn2a is the most prominent cell cycle target of Ezh2 Hence, genetic loss of Ezh2 in mouse pre-osteoblasts inhibits osteogenesis in part by inducing cell cycle changes. Our results suggest that Ezh2 serves a bifunctional role during bone formation by suppressing osteogenic lineage commitment while simultaneously facilitating proliferative expansion of osteoprogenitor cells.

Profiling of human epigenetic regulators using a semi-automated real-time qPCR platform validated by next generation sequencing.

Epigenetic mechanisms control phenotypic commitment of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) into osteogenic, chondrogenic or adipogenic lineages. To investigate enzymes and chromatin binding proteins controlling the epigenome, we developed a hybrid expression screening strategy that combines semi-automated real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR), next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and a novel data management application (FileMerge). This strategy was used to interrogate expression of a large cohort (n>300) of human epigenetic regulators (EpiRegs) that generate, interpret and/or edit the histone code. We find that EpiRegs with similar enzymatic functions are variably expressed and specific isoforms dominate over others in human MSCs. This principle is exemplified by analysis of key histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs), H3 lysine methyltransferases (e.g., EHMTs) and demethylases (KDMs), as well as bromodomain (BRDs) and chromobox (CBX) proteins. Our results show gender-specific expression of H3 lysine 9 [H3K9] demethylases (e.g., KDM5D and UTY) as expected and upregulation of distinct EpiRegs (n>30) during osteogenic differentiation of MSCs (e.g., HDAC5 and HDAC7). The functional significance of HDACs in osteogenic lineage commitment of MSCs was functionally validated using panobinostat (LBH-589). This pan-deacetylase inhibitor suppresses osteoblastic differentiation as evidenced by reductions in bone-specific mRNA markers (e.g., ALPL), alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition (i.e., Alizarin Red staining). Thus, our RT-qPCR platform identifies candidate EpiRegs by expression screening, predicts biological outcomes of their corresponding inhibitors, and enables manipulation of the human epigenome using molecular or pharmacological approaches to control stem cell differentiation.

Human illnesses and animal deaths associated with freshwater harmful algal blooms-Kansas.

Freshwater harmful algal bloom (FHAB) toxins can cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals, and the incidence of FHABs in the United States and Kansas has increased. In 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) developed a FHAB policy and response plan. We describe the epidemiology of FHAB-associated morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in Kansas. Healthcare providers and veterinarians voluntarily reported FHAB-associated cases to KDHE. An investigation was initiated for each report to determine the source of exposure and to initiate public health mitigation actions. There were 38 water bodies with a confirmed FHAB in 2011. There were 34 reports of human and animal FHAB-associated health events in 2011, which included five dog deaths and hospitalization of two human case patients. Five confirmed human illnesses, two dog illnesses and five dog deaths were associated with one lake. Four human and seven dog cases were exposed to the lake after a public health alert was issued. Public health officials and FHAB partners must ensure continued awareness of the risks to the public, educate healthcare providers and veterinarians on FHAB-related health events and encourage timely reporting to public health authorities.

The impact of obesity on illness absence and productivity in an industrial population of petrochemical workers.

PURPOSE: Examine employee illness absence and the economic impact of overweight and obesity in a petrochemical industry workforce. METHODS: A 10-year follow-up (1994-2003) of 4153 Shell Oil Company employees was conducted. Absence frequency rates and average number of workdays lost were calculated for normal weight, overweight, and obese employees with and without the presence of additional risk factors. The study also assessed the change in overweight and obesity prevalence in the study population and estimated the current and future economic impact of these conditions. RESULTS: Overall, obese employees were 80% more likely to have absences (24.0 vs. 13.3 per 100 employees) and were absent 3.7 more days (7.7 vs. 4.0 days) per year compared with those employees with normal body weights. Among employees with no additional risk factors, overweight employees lost more than 1.5 times more days (4.2 vs. 2.6 days) per year, and obese employees more than 2.5 times more days (7.2 vs. 2.6 days) compared with their normal-weight colleagues. Similarly, absence frequency attributable to cardiovascular disease significantly increased among employees with one or two additional risk factors present, such as smoking, high blood pressure, or hypercholesterolemia. The direct cost of illness absence from overweight and obesity for this study population was $1,873,500. Furthermore, 31% of the total illness absence was attributable to overweight and obesity in 1994, and the percentage had risen to 36% by 2003. CONCLUSIONS: The economic impact to employers is great and will continue to rise unless measures are taken, particularly to reduce the number of employees moving from overweight to obesity with time.

A 56-year mortality follow-up of Texas petroleum refinery and chemical employees, 1948-2003.

OBJECTIVE: To further investigate the mortality risk of employees who worked in the petroleum refinery industry, we updated an earlier investigation by extending the mortality follow-up by an additional 14 years through 2003. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 10,621 employees with an average follow-up of 34 years. We used the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) adjusted for age, race, and calendar years as a measure of risk. RESULTS: Overall mortality (SMR=0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.79), all cancer mortality (SMR=0.87, 95% CI=0.82-0.93), and most cause-specific mortalities for the total study population were lower than or similar to that of the population of Harris County, Texas. This study did not show a significant increase in leukemia in the total population or in any of the subgroups. The only statistically significant excess of mortality found in this study was an increase in mesothelioma among maintenance employees; the SMR was 4.78 (95% CI=2.54-8.17) among employees who worked for a minimum of one year and was 7.51 (95% CI=3.75-13.45) among those with 10 or more years of employment and 20 or more years of latency. CONCLUSIONS: After more than half a century of follow-up, employees at this facility continue to show more favorable mortality outcomes than the general local population. Overall, no statistically significant increase of leukemia or of any of the specific cell types was found. The increased mesothelioma is likely related to past exposure to asbestos.

Age at retirement and long term survival of an industrial population: prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether early retirement is associated with better survival. DESIGN: Long term prospective cohort study. SETTING: Petroleum and petrochemical industry, United States. SUBJECTS: Past employees of Shell Oil who retired at ages 55, 60, and 65 between 1 January 1973 and 31 December 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hazard ratio of death adjusted for sex, year of entry to study, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Subjects who retired early at 55 and who were still alive at 65 had a significantly higher mortality than those who retired at 65 (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.73). Mortality was also significantly higher for subjects in the first 10 years after retirement at 55 compared with those who continued working (1.89, 1.58 to 2.27). After adjustment, mortality was similar between those who retired at 60 and those who retired at 65 (1.06, 0.92 to 1.22). Mortality did not differ for the first five years after retirement at 60 compared with continuing work at 60 (1.04, 0.82 to 1.31). CONCLUSIONS: Retiring early at 55 or 60 was not associated with better survival than retiring at 65 in a cohort of past employees of the petrochemical industry. Mortality was higher in employees who retired at 55 than in those who continued working.

A hematology surveillance study of petrochemical workers exposed to 1,3 butadiene.

Complete blood counts (CBC) have been recognized as an easy and readily available screen for hematotoxicity following occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene. This study evaluated hematology data from employees who have ever participated in the Shell Butadiene Medical Surveillance Program (BMSP), compared with employees who have not participated. This study examined potential hematopoietic toxicity in relation to the occupational exposures at two Shell facilities. This study included 404 employees who participated in the BMSP, with mean butadiene exposure (TWA-8, TWA-10, and TWA-12 together) of 4.55 ppm from 1979-1996 and 0.25 ppm from 1997-2003, and 773 comparison employees. The comparison group included employees not participating in either the benzene or butadiene surveillance programs. Abnormality of six CBC parameters, including white blood cell count, red blood cell count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume and platelet count, and the adjusted mean values of these parameters in the exposed group were compared with those of the comparison group. We found no significantly increased abnormality for any hematology parameter among exposed employees. The adjusted mean values (adjusted for age, sex, race, length of time between first and last exam, current smoking status, and first exam value) of the exposed employees were similar to those in the comparison group. At current occupational exposure levels for 1,3-butadiene, there is no evidence of adverse hematological effects observed in this study. These findings are consistent with results of three similar studies in the literature.

Illness absence patterns among employees in a petrochemical facility: impact of selected health risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Illness absence in a working population is a complex phenomenon and can be influenced by many factors, such as age, gender, and personal health risk factors. The current study used prospectively collected employee health risk and morbidity data to examine illness absence patterns for a working population and to quantify the impact of selected health risk factors on employee illness absence. METHODS: The study population consisted of 2550 regular employees working at a Texas petrochemical facility. Morbidity data were extracted from the company's Health Surveillance System, and records of absences were derived from personnel and payroll systems. The morbidity frequency rate and average duration of absence per employee per year were calculated by age, gender, and selected health risk factors, including smoking, body mass index, cholesterol, triglycerides, hypertension, and fasting glucose. RESULTS: Morbidity frequency rates and average duration of absence increased with age and with the presence of health risk factors. The absence frequency rate increased with an increase in the number of risk factors present from no risk factors (11.8 per 100 employees) to four or more risk factors (32.3 per 100 employees). The number of workdays lost also increased with the number of risk factors present, with the least number of workdays lost by employees with zero risk factors (4.1 day), followed by one (6.4 days), two (8.8 days), three (9.3 days), and four or more risk factors (12.6 days). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of employee health risk factors has been shown in this study to be associated with absence frequency and duration of absence. Reduction in employee health risk factors can be an effective means of improving employees' health and increasing a company's productivity.