Canadian Immunization Guide, 7th Edition: Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to launch the newly revised Canadian Immunization Guide. Prepared by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and published by PHAC, this 7th edition of the Guide has been extensively updated and includes more information on such topics as vaccine safety, effective communication, and immunization of adults and health care workers. Three new chapters have been added as well: principles of combination vaccines; principles of vaccine interchangeability; and immunization of persons new to Canada. The revamped and updated Guide is the single most comprehensive source of information on immunization in Canada. This is a reference tool for health care providers, but all Canadians have a responsibility to ensure their immunizations are up-to-date. The Guide can be downloaded from PHAC's website at: www.naci.gc.ca.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, 16 March 2007

Increase in Gonorrhea: United States
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is the second most commonly reported notifiable disease in the United States. Nationally, reported gonorrhea incidence rates have been either declining or stable since 1996, although, in 2005, the national rate (115.6 cases per 100,000 population) increased for the first time since 1999. In recent decades, western states have had lower gonorrhea rates than other U.S. regions; however, from 2000 to 2005, rates in the West increased 42%, from 57.2 cases to 81.5 cases/100,000 population. During that period, rates in the three other U.S. regions decreased (South 22%, Northeast 16%, and Midwest 5%). This report describes the epidemiology of gonorrhea in eight western states that reported large increases in gonorrhea incidence rates from 2000 to 2005. The results indicated that both sexes and all specified age and racial/ethnic groups experienced increases in gonorrhea rates. Causes for these increases remain unclear; however, data suggest they likely resulted from a combination of increases in the number of tests performed, trends in the types of test performed, and actual increases in disease occurrence. CDC is collaborating with state and local health departments to further investigate and respond to these increases.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 56, No. 10, 16 March 2006

Acute Viral Hepatitis: United States
The three most common forms of acute viral hepatitis in the United States declined dramatically between 1995 and 2005, with hepatitis A and B at the lowest levels ever. The main factor behind the declines in new cases of hepatitis A and B were the availability of vaccines and strong federally supported immunization programs. Declines in new cases of hepatitis A were greater among children in the 17 states where routine vaccination of children has been recommended since 1999. The declines in hepatitis B were greatest among children and teens age 15 and younger, likely the result of high vaccination coverage in this age group. Declines in reported new cases of hepatitis C were likely due to reductions in high-risk behaviors among injection drug users, as well as efforts to diagnose individuals infected with hepatitis C and the promotion of health behaviors to reduce person-to-person transmission of the virus. The reported cases of acute hepatitis B also dropped to the lowest rate ever recorded in 2005 (1.8/100,000), a decline of 79% from 1990. In addition to the declines noted in children, hepatitis B rates also declined among adults but remained highest among those 25 to 44 years of age and among people with behavioral risk factors such as high-risk sexual activity and injection drug use. Cases of hepatitis C have also declined steadily since the late 1980s. However, this trend should be viewed with caution since surveillance for acute hepatitis C is limited because many individuals do not immediately develop symptoms and do not know they are infected with the virus.
Source: Press Release, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 March 2007

The details given are for information only and may be very provisional. Where incidents are considered of national importance and are ongoing, the initial report will be updated as new information becomes available.