Travel history among persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United States, December 2020-February 2021.

The first three SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic lineages classified as variants of concern (VOCs) in the United States (U.S.) from December 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1) lineages, were initially detected internationally. This investigation examined available travel history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported in the U.S. in whom laboratory testing showed one of these initial VOCs. Travel history, demographics, and health outcomes for a convenience sample of persons infected with a SARS-CoV-2 VOC from December 15, 2020 through February 28, 2021 were provided by 35 state and city health departments, and proportion reporting travel was calculated. Of 1,761 confirmed VOC cases analyzed, 1,368 had available data on travel history. Of those with data on travel history, 1,168 (85%) reported no travel preceding laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and only 105 (8%) reported international travel during the 30 days preceding a positive SARS-CoV-2 test or symptom onset. International travel was reported by 92/1,304 (7%) of persons infected with the Alpha variant, 7/55 (22%) with Beta, and 5/9 (56%) with Gamma. Of the first three SARS-CoV-2 lineages designated as VOCs in the U.S., international travel was common only among the few Gamma cases. Most persons infected with Alpha and Beta variant reported no travel history, therefore, community transmission of these VOCs was likely common in the U.S. by March 2021. These findings underscore the importance of global surveillance using whole genome sequencing to detect and inform mitigation strategies for emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Outbreak at a College With High Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination Coverage-Connecticut, August 2021-September 2021.

BACKGROUND: During August 2021-September 2021, a Connecticut college experienced a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant outbreak despite high (99%) vaccination coverage, indoor masking policies, and twice-weekly testing. The Connecticut Department of Public Health investigated characteristics associated with infection and phylogenetic relationships among cases. METHODS: A case was a SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed by a viral test during August 2021-September 2021 in a student. College staff provided enrollment and case information. An anonymous online student survey collected demographics, SARS-CoV-2 case and vaccination history, and activities preceding the outbreak. Multivariate logistic regression identified characteristics associated with infection. Phylogenetic analyses compared 115 student viral genome sequences with contemporaneous community genomes. RESULTS: Overall, 199 of 1788 students (11%) had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; most were fully vaccinated (194 of 199, 97%). Attack rates were highest among sophomores (72 of 414, 17%) and unvaccinated students (5 of 18, 28%). Attending in-person classes with an infectious student was not associated with infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], .5-2.2). Compared with uninfected students, infected students were more likely to be sophomores (aOR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-10.7), attend social gatherings before the outbreak (aOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4), and complete a vaccine series ≥180 days prior (aOR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.8-16.2). Phylogenetic analyses suggested a common viral source for most cases. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection in this highly vaccinated college population was associated with unmasked off-campus social gatherings, not in-person classes. Students should stay up to date on vaccination to reduce infection.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Transmission Within Households - Four U.S. Jurisdictions, November 2021-February 2022.

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, first detected in November 2021, was responsible for a surge in U.S. infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during December 2021-January 2022 (1). To investigate the effectiveness of prevention strategies in household settings, CDC partnered with four U.S. jurisdictions to describe Omicron household transmission during November 2021-February 2022. Persons with sequence-confirmed Omicron infection and their household contacts were interviewed. Omicron transmission occurred in 124 (67.8%) of 183 households. Among 431 household contacts, 227 were classified as having a case of COVID-19 (attack rate [AR] = 52.7%).† The ARs among household contacts of index patients who had received a COVID-19 booster dose, of fully vaccinated index patients who completed their COVID-19 primary series within the previous 5 months, and of unvaccinated index patients were 42.7% (47 of 110), 43.6% (17 of 39), and 63.9% (69 of 108), respectively. The AR was lower among household contacts of index patients who isolated (41.2%, 99 of 240) compared with those of index patients who did not isolate (67.5%, 112 of 166) (p-value <0.01). Similarly, the AR was lower among household contacts of index patients who ever wore a mask at home during their potentially infectious period (39.5%, 88 of 223) compared with those of index patients who never wore a mask at home (68.9%, 124 of 180) (p-value <0.01). Multicomponent COVID-19 prevention strategies, including up-to-date vaccination, isolation of infected persons, and mask use at home, are critical to reducing Omicron transmission in household settings.

Multiple Transmission Chains within COVID-19 Cluster, Connecticut, USA, 20201.

In fall 2020, a coronavirus disease cluster comprising 16 cases occurred in Connecticut, USA. Epidemiologic and genomic evidence supported transmission among persons at a school and fitness center but not a workplace. The multiple transmission chains identified within this cluster highlight the necessity of a combined investigatory approach.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Infants <12 months of Age, United States, May 2020-January 2021.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been identified in infants <12 months old. Clinical characteristics and follow-up data of MIS-C in infants have not been well described. We sought to describe the clinical course, laboratory findings, therapeutics and outcomes among infants diagnosed with MIS-C. METHODS: Infants of age <12 months with MIS-C were identified by reports to the CDC's MIS-C national surveillance system. Data were obtained on clinical signs and symptoms, complications, treatment, laboratory and imaging findings, and diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 testing. Jurisdictions that reported 2 or more infants were approached to participate in evaluation of outcomes of MIS-C. RESULTS: Eighty-five infants with MIS-C were identified and 83 (97.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; median age was 7.7 months. Rash (62.4%), diarrhea (55.3%) and vomiting (55.3%) were the most common signs and symptoms reported. Other clinical findings included hypotension (21.2%), pneumonia (21.2%) and coronary artery dilatation or aneurysm (13.9%). Laboratory abnormalities included elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, d-dimer and fibrinogen. Twenty-three infants had follow-up data; 3 of the 14 patients who received a follow-up echocardiogram had cardiac abnormalities during or after hospitalization. Nine infants had elevated inflammatory markers up to 98 days postdischarge. One infant (1.2%) died after experiencing multisystem organ failure secondary to MIS-C. CONCLUSIONS: Infants appear to have a milder course of MIS-C than older children with resolution of their illness after hospital discharge. The full clinical picture of MIS-C across the pediatric age spectrum is evolving.

Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of U.S. Health Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC, 2019.

The 2005 CDC guidelines for preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in health care settings include recommendations for baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening of all U.S. health care personnel and annual testing for health care personnel working in medium-risk settings or settings with potential for ongoing transmission (1). Using evidence from a systematic review conducted by a National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA)-CDC work group, and following methods adapted from the Guide to Community Preventive Services (2,3), the 2005 CDC recommendations for testing U.S. health care personnel have been updated and now include 1) TB screening with an individual risk assessment and symptom evaluation at baseline (preplacement); 2) TB testing with an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) or a tuberculin skin test (TST) for persons without documented prior TB disease or latent TB infection (LTBI); 3) no routine serial TB testing at any interval after baseline in the absence of a known exposure or ongoing transmission; 4) encouragement of treatment for all health care personnel with untreated LTBI, unless treatment is contraindicated; 5) annual symptom screening for health care personnel with untreated LTBI; and 6) annual TB education of all health care personnel.

Declines in Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Associated High-Grade Cervical Lesions After Introduction of HPV Vaccines in Connecticut, United States, 2008-2015.

BACKGROUND: Trends in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical lesions can provide an indication of vaccine impact. Our purpose was to measure trends in cervical lesions during 2008-2015 and to consider possible explanations including vaccination coverage, changes in screening for cervical cancer, and risk behaviors for acquiring HPV. METHODS: Connecticut (CT) implemented mandatory reporting of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2/3 and adenocarcinoma in situ (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher [CIN2+]) in 2008. Trends by age and birth cohort were modeled using negative binomial regression and change-point methods. To evaluate possible explanations for changes, these trends were compared to changes in HPV vaccination coverage, cervical cancer screening, an antecedent event to detection of a high-grade lesion, and changes in sexual behaviors and Chlamydia trachomatis, an infection with similar epidemiology to and shared risk factors for HPV. RESULTS: A significant decline in CIN2+ was first evident among women aged 21 years in 2010, followed by successive declines in women aged 22-26 years during 2011-2012. During 2008-2015, the rates of CIN2+ declined by 30%-74% among women aged 21-26 years, with greater declines observed in the younger women. Birth cohorts between 1985 and 1994 all experienced significant declines during the surveillance period, ranging from 25% to 82%. Ecological comparisons revealed substantial increases in HPV vaccination during this time period, and more modest reductions in cervical cancer screening and sexual risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The age and cohort patterns in our data suggest that declines in CIN2+ during 2008-2015 are more likely driven by HPV vaccination, introduced in 2006, than by changes in screening or risk behavior.

Civil Surgeon Tuberculosis Evaluations for Foreign-Born Persons Seeking Permanent U.S. Residence.

Foreign-born persons in the United States seeking to adjust their status to permanent resident must undergo screening for tuberculosis (TB) disease. Screening is performed by civil surgeons (CS) following technical instructions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2011 to 2012, 1,369 practicing CS in California, Texas, and New England were surveyed to investigate adherence to the instructions. A descriptive analysis was conducted on 907 (66%) respondents. Of 907 respondents, 739 (83%) had read the instructions and 565 (63%) understood that a chest radiograph is required for status adjustors with TB symptoms; however, only 326 (36%) knew that a chest radiograph is required for immunosuppressed status adjustors. When suspecting TB disease, 105 (12%) would neither report nor refer status adjustors to the health department; 91 (10%) would neither start treatment nor refer for TB infection. Most CS followed aspects of the technical instructions; however, educational opportunities are warranted to ensure positive patient outcomes.

Declining rates of high-grade cervical lesions in young women in Connecticut, 2008-2011.

Vaccines that prevent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 that are known to cause cervical cancer have been available in the United States since 2006. High-grade cervical lesions are important for monitoring early vaccine impact because they are strong surrogates for cancer yet can develop within years after infection as opposed to decades. Trends in high-grade cervical lesions including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2, 2/3, and 3 and adenocarcinoma in situ among women ages 21 to 39 years old were examined using a statewide surveillance registry in Connecticut from 2008 to 2011. During this time period, HPV vaccine initiation increased among adolescent females from 45% to 61%. Analyses were stratified by age, according to census tract measures of proportion of population Black, Hispanic, living in poverty, and by urban/nonurban counties. The annual rate per 100,000 females ages 21 to 24 years declined from 834 in 2008 to 688 in 2011 (P(trend) < 0.001). No significant declines were observed among women ages 25 to 39 years. Significant declining trends also occurred in census tracts with lower proportions of the population being Black, Hispanic, or living below the federal poverty level. Declines in high-grade cervical lesions have occurred among young women during 2008 to 2011. This is the first report of declines in cervical neoplasia in the United States since HPV vaccines became available. Continued surveillance is needed to measure vaccine impact and monitor health disparities.

Individual and geographic disparities in human papillomavirus types 16/18 in high-grade cervical lesions: Associations with race, ethnicity, and poverty.

BACKGROUND: Current vaccines protect against 2 human papillomavirus (HPV) types, HPV 16 and 18, which are associated with 70% of cervical cancers and 50% of high-grade cervical lesions. HPV type distribution was examined among women with high-grade lesions by individual and area-based measures of race, ethnicity, and poverty. METHODS: This analysis included 832 women aged 18 to 39 years reported to a surveillance registry in Connecticut during 2008 to 2010. Diagnostic specimens were obtained for HPV DNA testing. Individual measures were obtained from surveillance reports, medical records, and patient interviews. Cases were geocoded to census tracts and linked to area-based measures of race, ethnicity, and poverty. Statistical analysis included use of generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Overall, 44.8% of women had HPV 16/18. In a multivariate model controlled for confounding by age and diagnosis grade, black race (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.88), Hispanic ethnicity (aPR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.40-0.88), and higher area-based poverty (aPR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.40-0.87) were associated with a lower likelihood of HPV 16/18 positivity. Black and Hispanic women were less likely to have HPV 16/18 than white women across all levels of area-based measures. CONCLUSIONS: Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and higher area-based poverty are salient predictors of lower HPV 16/18 positivity among women with high-grade cervical lesions. These data suggest that HPV vaccines might have lower impact among black and Hispanic women and those living in high poverty areas. These findings have implications for vaccine impact monitoring, vaccination programs, and new vaccine development.

HIV status among patients with tuberculosis and HIV testing practices by Connecticut health care providers.

Knowing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important for individual treatment and preventing transmission. This evaluation analyzed surveillance data and surveyed health care providers who care for patients with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) to understand the factors contributing to suboptimal levels of Connecticut patients with TB having a known HIV status. During 2008 to 2010, 208 (76.2%) of 273 patients had a known HIV status; 12 (5.8%) were HIV-positive. Patients who were more likely to have a known HIV status were younger (40.5 vs 54.6 years, P < .001) or received care in a TB clinic (risk ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.42). Among 77 providers, 48 (62.3%) completed the survey, 42 (87.5%) reported routinely offering HIV testing to patients with TB, and 26 (54.2%) reported routinely offering HIV testing to patients with latent TB infection (LTBI). We conclude that interventions for improving HIV testing should focus on non-TB clinic providers and patients with LTBI.

Human papillomavirus vaccination history among women with precancerous cervical lesions: disparities and barriers.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination history among women aged 18-27 years with precancerous cervical lesions diagnosed, barriers to vaccination, and timing of vaccination in relation to the abnormal cytology result that preceded the diagnosis of the cervical lesion. METHODS: High-grade cervical lesions are reportable conditions in Connecticut for public health surveillance. Telephone interviews and medical record reviews were conducted during 2008-2010 for women (n=269) identified through the surveillance registry. RESULTS: Overall, 43% of women reported history of one or more doses of HPV vaccine. The mean age at vaccination was 22 years. Publicly insured (77%) and uninsured (85%) women were more likely than privately insured women (48%) to report no history of vaccination (P<.05). Among unvaccinated women, being unaware of HPV vaccine was reported significantly more often among Hispanics than non-Hispanics (31% compared with 13%, P=.02) and among those with public or no insurance compared with those with private insurance (26% and 36% compared with 6%, P<.05 for both). The most commonly reported barrier was lack of provider recommendation (25%). Not having talked to a provider about vaccine was reported significantly more often among those with public compared with private insurance (41% compared with 18%, P<.001). Approximately 35% of women received vaccine after an abnormal cytology result; this occurred more frequently among African American women compared with white women (80% compared with 30%, P<.01). CONCLUSION: Catch-up vaccination strategies should focus on provider efforts to increase timely coverage among low-income and minority women.

Predictors for a positive QuantiFERON-TB-Gold test in BCG-vaccinated adults with a positive tuberculin skin test.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States usually involves testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with a tuberculin skin test (TST), followed by offering therapy to those who have a positive test result. QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay (QFT-G) is more specific for infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis than the TST, especially among persons vaccinated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin, thereby reducing the number of false positive tests. METHODS: Adults referred to a pulmonary clinic for a positive TST result were tested with QFT-G. We assessed factors for having a positive QFT-G. RESULTS: Among 100 adults who were BCG-vaccinated and had a positive TST result, 30 (30%) had a positive result using QFT-G. Persons from high-incidence countries were 8.2 times more likely to have a positive QFT-G result compared with persons from low-incidence countries (46% versus 9%). Using logistic regression to assess QFT-G positivity, strong predictors included having an abnormal chest radiograph consistent with healed TB, a TST induration of ≥16mm, and birth in a high-incidence country. CONCLUSION: Use of QFT-G assay following a positive TST result further identifies persons who would most benefit from treatment for LTBI.

Impact of 2-dose vaccination on varicella epidemiology: Connecticut--2005-2008.

In 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that children routinely receive 2 varicella vaccine doses in place of the 1 dose previously recommended. This recommendation's initial impact on varicella epidemiology in Connecticut was assessed. Reported incidence and case-specific data were compared for 2005 and 2008. Varicella incidence decreased from 48.7 cases/100,000 persons in 2005 to 24.5 in 2008. Age-specific incidence decreased significantly (P < .05) among children aged 1-14 years. Reported varicella incidence has declined in Connecticut after implementation of routine 2-dose varicella vaccination for children. Continued surveillance is needed to determine the recommendation's full impact.

Meningitis in a college student in Connecticut, 2007.

The authors describe a case of aseptic meningitis in a college student that was ultimately attributed to infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The authors also provide a review of LCMV infection, epidemiology, and public health implications. Providers should be aware of LCMV as a cause of meningitis in college students, especially those with a history of rodent exposure.

Two tuberculosis genotyping clusters, one preventable outbreak.

In 2006, eight community tuberculosis (TB) cases and a ninth incarceration-related case were identified during an outbreak investigation, which included genotyping of all Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. In 1996, the source patient had pulmonary TB but completed only two weeks of treatment. From February 2005 to May 2006, the source patient lived in four different locations while contagious. The outbreak cases had matching isolate spoligotypes; however, the mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) patterns from isolates from two secondary cases differed by one tandem repeat at a single MIRU locus. The source patient's isolates showed a mixed mycobacterial population with both MIRU patterns. Traditional and molecular epidemiologic methods linked eight secondary TB cases to a single source patient whose incomplete initial treatment, incarceration, delayed diagnosis, and housing instability resulted in extensive transmission. Adequate treatment of the source patient's initial TB or early diagnosis of recurrent TB could have prevented this outbreak.

Epidemiology of varicella in Connecticut, 2001-2005.

We analyzed varicella surveillance data in Connecticut for 2001-2005, to describe the epidemiology of varicella in a highly vaccinated population after the introduction of varicella vaccine and to determine the number of preventable cases that had occurred during school-related outbreaks. Overall, the incidence of varicella did not change during the surveillance period. Vaccination rates among reported case patients increased, and the severity of infection decreased. An annual median of 2.5 cases/outbreak was identified as being preventable, with a majority of these cases being preventable by revaccination of previously vaccinated persons. Continued surveillance is needed in order to monitor changing trends in varicella epidemiology.