National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) - Statement on Mumps Vaccine: Canada
NACI has revised its recommendations for mumps-containing vaccine as a result of Canadian and international mumps epidemiology, as well as a review of available data regarding vaccine effectiveness and waning immunity. There is currently no single-component mumps-containing vaccine available in Canada. Combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only mumps vaccine available. The Canadian Immunization Guide (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cig-gci/index.html) contains information on the MMR vaccine, including vaccine safety and dosing intervals. If indicated, the second dose of MMR vaccine should be given ≥ 1 month after the first dose. People born before 1970 are assumed to have natural immunity to mumps. However, some of these individuals may be susceptible. A dose of MMR vaccine could be considered among high-risk adults (HCWs or military personnel) born before 1970 who do not have laboratory evidence of immunity or a history of laboratory-confirmed mumps disease. NACI will revise and reconsider this statement as new information becomes available. The statement is available online at the following address: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/07vol33/acs-08/index_e.html.
Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 33, ACS-8, 1 August 2007

New HIV Diagnoses Rising: New York
HIV infection is on the rise among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City, according to preliminary data from the Health Department. New HIV diagnoses among MSM under age 30 have increased by 33% during the past six years, from 374 in 2001 to almost 500 in 2006. New diagnoses have doubled among MSM ages 13 to 19, while declining by 22% among older MSM. The under-30 group now accounts for 44% of all new diagnoses among MSM in New York City, up from 31% in 2001. Blacks and Hispanics still bear a disproportionate share of New York City’s HIV burden. Among all MSM, blacks received twice as many HIV diagnoses as whites in 2006 (232 versus 101), and Hispanics received 55% more than whites (157 versus 101). The disparity is even more striking among adolescents; more than 90% of the MSM under age 20 diagnosed with HIV in 2006 were black or Hispanic (81 out of 87).
Source: Press Release, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 11 September 2007

Multistate Outbreaks of Salmonella Infections Associated with Raw Tomatoes Eaten in Restaurants: United States
During 2005-2006, four large multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with eating raw tomatoes at restaurants occurred in the United States. The four outbreaks resulted in 459 culture-confirmed cases of salmonellosis in 21 states. This report describes the epidemiologic, environmental, and laboratory investigations into these four outbreaks by state and local health departments, national food safety agencies, and CDC. The results of these investigations determined that the tomatoes had been supplied to restaurants either whole or precut from tomato fields in Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. These recurrent, large, multistate outbreaks emphasize the need to prevent Salmonella contamination of tomatoes early in the production and packing process. Current knowledge of mechanisms for tomato contamination and methods of eradication of Salmonella in tomatoes is incomplete; the agricultural industry, food safety agencies, and public health agencies should make tomato-safety research a priority.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 56, No. 35, 7 September 2007

Outbreak of Chikungunya Fever: North-East Italy
The Public Health Agency of Canada is monitoring an outbreak of chikungunya fever in the province of Ravenna, located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, in North-East Italy. Between 4 July and 3 September 2007 a total of 166 cases of chikungunya fever were reported in the province of Ravenna, with the majority of cases being reported in the villages of Castiglione di Ravenna and Castiglione di Cervia. Although imported cases of chikungunya fever have been reported in Europe in the past, this outbreak represents the first documented instance of indigenous (local) transmission. Large outbreaks have recently occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, India, South-East Asia and the Philippines, where the virus is endemic. For additional information on the prevention of bites by insects and other arthropods, visit the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel’s Statement on Personal Protective Measures to Prevent Arthropod Bites (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/05vol31/asc-dcc-4/index.html).
Source: Travel Health Advisory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 7 September 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.