Georgia epidemiology report, Vol. 14, no. 8 (Aug. 1998)

August 1998

volume 14 number 8

Division of Public Health

The Georgia Epidemiology Report is a publication of the Epidemiology Section of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Division of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources

http://www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us

Prevention and Control of Influenza:

Director Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.

Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Epidemiology and Prevention Branch State Epidemiologist

This issue is an abridged version of MMWR 1998;47 (no. RR-6). These recommendations update information concerning the vaccine and antiviral agents available for controlling influenza during the 199899 influenza season (superseding MMWR 1997;46 [No. RR-9:125] and the Georgia Epidemiology Report Vol

Acting Director

13 No. 7).

Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.

INTRODUCTION

Epidemiology Section
Chief Paul A. Blake, M.D., M.P.H.

Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes on the basis of two surface antigens: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). Three subtypes of hemagglutinin (H1, H2, and H3) and two subtypes of neuraminidase (N1 and N2) are recognized among influenza A viruses that have caused widespread human disease.

Public Health Advisor Mel Ralston

Immunity to these antigensespecially to the hemagglutininreduces the likelihood of infection and lessens the severity of disease if infection occurs. Infection with a virus of one subtype confers little or no protection against viruses of other subtypes. Furthermore, over time, antigenic variation (antigenic drift) within a

Notifiable Diseases
Jeffrey D. Berschling, M.P.H., Katherine Gibbs McCombs, M.P.H., Carol Hoban, M.S., M.P.H., Jane E.
Koehler, D.V.M., M.P.H., Laura Gilbert, M.P.H.

subtype may be so marked that infection or vaccination with one strain may not induce immunity to distantly related strains of the same subtype. For these reasons, major epidemics of respiratory disease caused by new variants of influenza continue to occur. The antigenic characteristics of circulating strains provide the basis for selecting the virus strains included in each years vaccine.

Amanda Reichert, R.N., M.S.
Chronic Disease and Injury

OPTIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF INFLUENZA

Ken Powell, M.D., M.P.H.- Program Manager, , Patricia M. Fox, M.P.H., Rana Bayakly, M.P.H., Mary P. Mathis, Ph.D., M.P.H., Alexander K. Rowe, M.D., M.P.H.
Linda Martin, M.S.

In the United States, two measures are available that can reduce the impact of influenza: immunoprophylaxis with inactivated (i.e., killed-virus) vaccine and chemoprophylaxis or therapy with an influenza-specific antiviral drug (amantadine or rimantadine). Vaccinating persons at high risk before the influenza season each year is the most effective measure for reducing the impact of influenza. Vaccination can

Tuberculosis
Rose Marie Sales, M.D., M.P.H.- Program Manager Naomi Bock, M.D., M.S., Beverly DeVoe, M.S.
HIV/AIDS/Sexually

be highly cost effective when it is directed at persons who are most likely to experience complications or who are at increased risk for exposure and administered to persons at high risk during hospitalizations or routine health-care visits before the influenza season, thus making special visits to physicians offices or clinics unnecessary.

Transmitted Diseases
John F. Beltrami, M.D., M.P.H.&T.M.- Program Manager

INACTIVATED VACCINE FOR INFLUENZA A AND B

Andrew Margolis, M.P.H., Lyle McCormick, M.P.H.

Each years influenza vaccine contains three virus strains (usually two type A and one type B) represent-

Ann Buckley, M.P.H., Amy Hephner, M.P.H. Laura Axelson, M.P.H.

ing the influenza viruses that are likely to circulate in the United States in the upcoming winter. The vaccine is made from highly purified, egg-grown viruses that have been made noninfectious (inactivated). Influenza

Perinatal Epidemiology
James W. Buehler, M.D. - Program Manager Leslie E. Lipscomb, M.P.H.
Cheryl Silberman, Ph.D., M.P.H. Hui Zhang, M.D., M.P.H.
Mohamed Qayad, M.D., M.P.H.
Preventive Medicine Residents
Mark E. Anderson, M.D., M.P.H. & Anthony Fiore, M.D., M.P.H.

vaccine rarely causes systemic or febrile reactions. Whole-virus, subvirion, and purified-surfaceantigen preparations are available.
The effectiveness of influenza vaccine in preventing or attenuating illness varies, depending primarily on the age and immunocompetence of the vaccine recipient and the degree of similarity between the virus strains included in the vaccine and those that circulate during the influenza season. When a good match exists between vaccine and circulating viruses, influenza vaccine has been shown to prevent illness in approximately 70%90% of healthy persons aged <65 years. In these circumstances, studies also have indicated that the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza among elderly persons living in settings other than nursing homes or similar chronic-care facilities ranges from 30% to 70%. Among elderly persons residing in nursing homes, influenza vaccine is most effective in preventing severe

EIS Officers
Julia Samuelson, R.N., M.P.H., & Keoki Williams, M.D.

illness, secondary complications, and death. Studies of this population have indicated that the vaccine can be 50%60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death, even though efficacy in preventing influenza illness may often be in the range of 30%40% among the frail elderly.

Graphics Dept.
Jimmy Clanton Jr. & Christopher Devoe

Vaccination of health-care workers in nursing homes also has been effective in reducing the impact of influenza among residents.

Georgia Epidemiology Report
Editorial Board
Editorial Executive Committee
Andrew Margolis, M.P.H. - Editor Paul A. Blake, M.D., M.P.H.
Jane E. Koehler, D.V.M., M.P.H. Jeffrey D. Berschling, M.P.H.
Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. Angela Alexander - Mailing List Christopher Devoe - Graphics

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE
Influenza vaccine is strongly recommended for any person aged > 6 months whobecause of age or underlying medical conditionis at increased risk for complications of influenza. Health-care workers and others (including household members) in close contact with persons in high-risk groups also should be vaccinated.
Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health Epidemiology & Prevention Branch, Epidemiology Section Two Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303 - 3186 Phone: (404) 657-2588 Fax: (404) 657-2586

The trivalent influenza vaccine prepared for the 199899 season will include A/Beijing/262/95-like (H1N1), A/Sydney/5/97-like (H3N2), and B/Beijing/184/ 93-like hemagglutinin antigens. Guidelines for the use of vaccine among certain patient populations follow; dosage recommendations vary according to age group (Table 1).

influenza vaccination safe during any stage of pregnancy. However, because spontaneous abortion is common in the first trimester and unnecessary exposures have traditionally been avoided during this time, some experts prefer influenza vaccination during the second trimester to avoid coincidental association of the vaccine with early pregnancy loss.

TABLE 1. Influenza vaccine* dosage, by age group -- United States, 199899 season

Age group 6-35 mos 3-8 yrs 9-12 yrs >12 yrs

Product Split virus only Split virus only Split virus only Whole or split virus

Dose 0.25mL 0.50mL 0.50mL 0.50mL

No. of doses 1 or 2 1 or 2 1 1

Route IM** IM IM IM

Groups that Can Transmit Influenza to Persons at High Risk: Persons who are clinically or subclinically infected can transmit influenza
virus to persons at high risk whom they care for or live with. Some persons at high risk (e.g., the elderly, transplant recipients, and persons with AIDS) can have a low antibody response to influenza vaccine. Efforts to protect these members of high-risk groups against influenza might be improved by reducing the likelihood of influenza exposure from their caregivers. Therefore, the following groups

*Contains 15 mg each of A/Beijing/262/95-like (H1N1), A/Sydney/5/97-like (H3N2), and B/Beijing/184/93-like hemagglutinin antigens in each 0.5 mL. For the B/Beijing/ 184/93-like antigen, U.S. manufacturers will use the antigenically equivalent B/ Harbin/07/94 strain because of its growth properties. Manufacturers include Connaught Laboratories, Inc. (Fluzone whole or split); Evans Medical Ltd. (an affiliate of Medeva Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) (FluvirinTM purified surface antigen vac cine); Parkedale Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Fluogen split); and Wyeth-Ayerst Labora tories (Flushield split). For further product information call Connaught, (800) 8222463; Evans/Medeva, (800) 234-5535; Parkedale, (888) 358-6436; or WyethAyerst, (800) 358-7443.

should be vaccinated: physicians, nurses, and other personnel in both hospital and outpatientcare settings; employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients; providers of home care to persons at high risk (e.g., visiting nurses and volunteer workers); household members (including children) of persons in high-risk groups.

Because of their decreased potential for causing febrile reactions, only split-virus vaccines should be used for children. They may be labeled as "split," "subvirion," or "purified-surfaceantigen" vaccine. Immunogenicity and side effects of split- and whole-virus vaccines are similar among adults when vaccines are administered at the recommended dosage.

VACCINATION OF OTHER GROUPS
Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Limited information exists regarding the frequency and severity of influenza
illness among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, but reports

For adults and older children, the recommended site of vaccination is the deltoid muscle. The preferred site for infants and young children is the anterolateral aspect of the thigh.

suggest that symptoms might be prolonged and the risk for complications increased for some HIV-infected persons. Influenza vaccine has produced protective antibody titers against influenza in vaccinated HIV-infected persons who have minimal AIDS-related symptoms and high CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts. In

Two doses administered at least 1 month apart are recommended for children <9 years of age who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time.

patients who have advanced HIV disease and low CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts, however, influenza vaccine may not induce protective antibody titers; a

**Intramuscular.

second dose of vaccine does not improve the immune response for these persons. Deterioration of CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts and progression of clinical

Although the current influenza vaccine can contain one or more of the antigens administered in previous years, annual vaccination with the current vaccine is necessary because immunity declines during the year following vaccination. Because the 199899 vaccine differs from the 199798 vaccine, supplies of 199798

HIV disease have not been demonstrated among HIV-infected persons who receive vaccine. Because influenza can result in serious illness and complications and because influenza vaccination may result in the production of protective antibody titers, vaccination will benefit many HIV-infected patients.

vaccine should not be administered to provide protection for the 199899 influenza season. Two doses administered at least 1 month apart may be required for satisfactory antibody responses among previously unvaccinated children aged <9 years; however, studies of vaccines similar to those being used currently have indicated little or no improvement in antibody response when a second dose is

Breastfeeding Mothers Influenza vaccine does not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or
infants. Breastfeeding does not adversely affect immune response and is not a contraindication for vaccination.

administered to adults during the same season. Adults and older children should

be vaccinated in the deltoid muscle and infants and young children in the antero- Persons Traveling to Foreign Countries

lateral aspect of the thigh.

The risk for exposure to influenza during travel to foreign countries varies,

depending on season and destination. In the Tropics, influenza can occur throughTARGET GROUPS FOR SPECIAL VACCINATION PROGRAMS out the year; in the Southern Hemisphere, most activity occurs from April

through September. Because of the short incubation period for influenza, expo-

Groups at Increased Risk for Influenza-Related Complications:
Persons aged > 65 years Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of
any age who have chronic medical conditions Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular
systems, including children with asthma Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization
during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications) Children and teenagers (aged 6 months18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season

sure to the virus during travel can result in clinical illness that begins while traveling, which is an inconvenience or potential danger, especially for persons at increased risk for complications. Persons preparing to travel to the Tropics at any time of year or to the Southern Hemisphere from April through September should review their influenza vaccination histories. If they were not vaccinated the previous fall or winter, they should consider influenza vaccination before travel. Persons in high-risk groups especially should be encouraged to receive the most current vaccine. Persons at high risk who received the previous seasons vaccine
before travel should be revaccinated in the fall or winter with the current vaccine.
General Population
Physicians should administer influenza vaccine to any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza (the vaccine can be administered to children as young as 6 months). Persons who provide essential commu-

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that women who will be beyond the first trimester of pregnancy (14 weeks gestation) during the influenza season be vaccinated. Pregnant women who have medical conditions that increase their risk for complications from influenza

nity services should be considered for vaccination to minimize disruption of essential activities during influenza outbreaks. Students or other persons in institutional settings (e.g., those who reside in dormitories) should be encouraged to receive vaccine to minimize the disruption of routine activities during epidemics.

should be vaccinated before the influenza seasonregardless of the stage of pregnancy. Studies of influenza vaccination of more than 2,000 pregnant women have PERSONS WHO SHOULD NOT BE VACCINATED

demonstrated no adverse fetal effects associated with influenza vaccine; however, more data are needed. Because currently available influenza vaccine is not a livevirus vaccine and major systemic reactions to it are rare, many experts consider

Inactivated influenza vaccine should not be administered to persons known to have anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs or to other components of the influenza vaccine without first consulting a physician (see Side Effects and Adverse

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Reactions). Use of an antiviral agent (amantadine or rimantadine) is an option for prevention of influenza A in such persons. However, persons who have a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to vaccine components but who are also at high risk for complications of influenza can benefit from vaccine after appropriate allergy evaluation and desensitization. Specific information about vaccine components can be found in package inserts for each manufacturer. Adults with acute febrile illness usually should not be vaccinated until their symptoms have abated. However, minor illnesses with or without fever should not contraindicate the use of influenza vaccine, particularly among children with mild upper respiratory tract infection or allergic rhinitis.

Fax Information Service, (888) 232-3299; or through the CDC Influenza Branchs World-Wide Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm. From October through May, the information is updated at least every other week. In addition, periodic up-dates about influenza are published in the weekly MMWR. State and local health departments should be consulted regarding availability of influenza vaccine, access to vaccination programs, and information about state or local influenza activity.
Georgia Influenza Surveillance...Georgia Influenza Surveillance

SIDE EFFECTS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Because influenza vaccine contains only noninfectious viruses, it cannot cause influenza. Respiratory disease after vaccination represents coincidental illness unrelated to influenza vaccination. The most frequent side effect of vaccination is soreness at the vaccination site that lasts up to 2 days. These local reactions generally are mild and rarely interfere with the ability to conduct usual daily activities. In addition, two types of systemic reactions have occurred:
Fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic symptoms can occur following vaccination and most often affect persons who have had no exposure to the influenza virus antigens in the vaccine (e.g., young children). These reactions begin 612 hours after vaccination and can persist for 1 or 2 days.
Immediatepresumably allergicreactions (e.g., hives, angioedema, allergic asthma, and systemic anaphylaxis) rarely occur after influenza vaccination. Hypersensitivity reactions to any vaccine component can occur. Although
exposure to vaccines containing thimerosal can lead to induction of hypersensitivity, most patients do not develop reactions to thimerosal when administered as a component of vaccineseven when patch or intradermal tests for thimerosal indicate hypersensitivity. When reported, hypersensitivity to thimerosal usually has consisted of local, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.
SIMULTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF OTHER VACCINES,
INCLUDING CHILDHOOD VACCINES
The target groups for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination overlap considerably. For persons at high risk who have not previously been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine, health-care providers should strongly consider administering pneumococcal and influenza vaccines concurrently. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time at different sites without increasing side effects. However, influenza vaccine is administered each year, whereas pneumococcal vaccine is not. Children at high risk for influenza-related complications can receive influenza vaccine at the same time they receive other routine vaccinations, including pertussis vaccine (DTaP or DTP). Because influenza vaccine can cause fever when administered to young children, DTaP (which is less frequently associated with fever and other adverse events than is DTP) is preferable.
TIMING OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION ACTIVITIES

Every year Georgia conducts surveillance for influenza from October through March. Each of the 19 health districts enlists the assistance of sentinel primary care physicians to report weekly on the prevalence of influenza-like illness among patients they see. When influenza-like illness begins to appear, reporting physicians obtain nasopharyngeal swabs from several patients for strain identification. The proportion of patients with influenza-like illness and the reporting of institutional outbreaks are used to determine local and statewide prevalence of influenza.
For additional information please call the Georgia Immunizations Program at 404.657.3158.
(MMWR) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports You May Have Missed
August 28, 1998 / Vol. 47 / No. RR-14 Preventing and Controlling Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer --Recommendations from a National Strategic Planning Conference.
August 21, 1998 / Vol. 47 / No. RR-13 Development of New Vaccines for Tuberculosis -- Recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (ACET).
August 14, 1998 / Vol. 47 / no. SS-3 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance -- United States, 1997
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) series is produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Publications are available on the World-Wide Web at http://www.cdc.gov or by calling
202.512.1800 for paper copy.
The Epidemiologic Triangle agent



Beginning each September (when vaccine for the upcoming influenza season becomes available), persons at high risk who are seen by health-care providers for routine care or as a result of hospitalization should be offered influenza vaccine. Opportunities to vaccinate persons at high risk for complications of influenza should not be missed.
The optimal time for organized vaccination campaigns for persons in highrisk groups is usually the period from October through mid-November. In the United States, influenza activity generally peaks between late December and early March. High levels of influenza activity infrequently occur in the contiguous 48 states before December. Administering vaccine too far in advance of the influenza season should be avoided in facilities such as nursing homes, because antibody levels might begin to decline within a few months of vaccination. Vaccination programs can be undertaken as soon as current vaccine is available if regional influenza activity is expected to begin earlier than December.
Children aged <9 years who have not been vaccinated previously should receive two doses of vaccine at least 1 month apart to maximize the likelihood of a satisfactory antibody response to all three vaccine antigens. The second dose should be administered before December, if possible. Vaccine should be offered to both children and adults up to and even after influenza virus activity is documented in a community.

host

environment

"The epidemiologic triangle is the traditional model of infectious disease causation. It has three components: an external agent, a susceptible host, and an environment that brings the host and agent together. In this model, the environment influences the agent, the host, and the route of transmission of the agent from a source to the host."

Agent: The infectious microorganism.

Host: Factors that influence a person's exposure, susceptibility, or response to a causative agent.

Environment: Extrinsic factors affecting the agent and the opportunity for exposure.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON INFLUENZA-CONTROL PROGRAMS
Information regarding influenza surveillance is available through the CDC Voice Information System (influenza update), (888) 232-3228; through the CDC

CDC. Principles of Epidemiology: An Introduction to Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 2nd ed. Atlanta:, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1992.

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The Georgia Epidemiology Report Epidemiology and Prevention Branch Two Peachtree St., NW Atlanta, GA 30303-3186

August 1998

Volume 14 Number 8

Reported Cases of Selected Notifiable Diseases in Georgia Profile* for May 1998

Selected Notifiable Diseases Campylobacteriosis Chlamydia genital infection Cryptosporidiosis E. coli O157:H7 Giardiasis Gonorrhea Haemophilus influenzae (invasive) Hepatitis A (acute) Hepatitis B (acute) Legionellosis Lyme Disease Meningococcal Disease (invasive) Mumps Pertussis Rubella Salmonellosis Shigellosis Syphilis - Primary Syphilis - Secondary Syphilis - Early Latent Syphilis - Other** Syphilis - Congenital Tuberculosis

Total Reported for May 1998
1998 73 1837 5 3 70 1568 4 45 20 3 0 8 0 7 0 83 124 5 13 56 67 0 52

Previous 3 Months Total

Ending in May

1996

1997

1998

184

116

165

3063

4429

6193

13

2

21

7

11

3

146

121

216

4525

4857

4983

16

7

8

103

154

182

3

43

65

3

2

3

1

0

2

50

37

23

1

7

1

11

2

11

0

0

0

219

229

231

142

190

298

47

33

29

106

102

59

332

313

199

247

370

231

10

5

2

222

199

141

Previous 12 Months Total

Ending in May

1996

1997

1998

950

710

828

12415

14781

19586

120

81

98

36

54

27

623

853

997

21306

19292

18880

40

44

46

165

504

809

33

117

275

8

2

7

6

1

12

142

120

108

9

17

2

37

29

21

0

0

0

1684

1449

1364

931

1256

1288

263

183

140

594

453

297

1469

1299

942

1125

1238

983

65

22

14

808

749

609

* The cumulative numbers in the above table reflect the date the disease was first diagnosed rather than the date the report was received at the state office; and therefore are subject to change over time due to late reporting. The 3 month delay in the disease profile for a given month is designed to minimize any changes that may occur. This method of summarizing data is expected to provide a better overall measure of disease trends and patterns in Georgia.

** Other syphilis includes latent (unknown duration), late latent, late with symptomatic manifestations, and neurosyphilis.

Report Period

Total Cases Reported *

AIDS Profile Update

Percent Female

Risk Group Distribution (%)

MSM IDU MSM&IDU

HS Blood

Unknown

Race Distribution (%) White Black Other

Latest 12 Months:
06/97 to 08/98 Five Years Ago: 05/92 to 08/93 Cumulative:
7/81 to 08/98

1373 1981 19516

18.0

40.4

17.7

4.7

15.1

1.1

21.0

14.6

47.4

21.5

6.5

12.1

1.8

10.7

15.1

51.1

19.3

5.9

12.1

1.9

9.7

23.7 73.4

2.8

34.8 63.3

1.9

38.7 59.2

2.1

MSM - Men having sex with men

IDU - Injection drug users

HS - Heterosexual

* Case totals are accumulated by date of report to the Epidemiology Section

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