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Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-pers...an-oct-26-2020
News Scan for Oct 26, 2020
COVID-19 impact on health workers; Timing of NYC COVID outbreak; Listeria deli meat outbreak; French Guiana Mayaro virus outbreak
Filed Under:
Mayaro Virus; COVID-19; Listeria; Foodborne Disease
CDC report highlights COVID-19 prevalence in US healthcare workers
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that US healthcare workers accounted for 6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations from March through May.
The data, published today in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), show that, of 6,760 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from 13 states from Mar 1 through May 31, 5.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1% to 6.8%) were healthcare personnel (HCP). More than two thirds (67.4%) of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 were in occupations in which they were generally expected to have direct patient contact, and 36.3% worked in nursing-related occupations, including nurses (27.8%) and certified nursing assistants (8.5%).
The median age of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 was 49 years, and 71.9% were female. More than half (52%) were black, 27.4% were white, and 8.6% were Hispanic or Latino.
Further analysis of the data shows that 89.8% of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 had at least one underlying condition, with obesity (72.5%), hypertension (40.6%), and diabetes (30.9%) the most common. Overall, 27.5% of HCP were admitted to an intensive care unit for a median of 6 days, 15.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 4.2% died during hospitalization.
The authors of the study say the data highlight the prevalence of severe COVID-19 and potential for virus transmission among HCP, and the subsequent implications for healthcare capacity as COVID-19 cases increase in the community.
"Continued surveillance of hospitalized HCP is necessary to document the prevalence and characteristics of COVID-19 among this population," they write. "Further understanding of exposure risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCP is important to inform additional prevention strategies for these essential workers."
Oct 26 CDC MMWR study
Genetic analysis points to late February start for NYC COVID-19 outbreak
A study last week in Genome Research used gene sequencing to trace the COVID-19 outbreak in the New York City region last spring, pointing to a late-February introduction seeded by multiple individuals, with most of the viral strains matching those from Europe or other US states rather than those from China.
The study collected viral samples from 864 nasal swabs taken from New Yorkers who tested positive from Mar 12 to May 10, compared viral gene sequences to viral samples worldwide, and analyzed phylogenetic relationships. The genetic analysis process used "flags"—small portions of the genetic code—to identify mutations found only in particular viral strains to compare viral samples and construct a viral "family tree."
The authors found that most New York viral strains closely matched those from Europe or other US states, with at least 109 different individuals seeding the outbreak via infection chains at least 50 people long. The researchers also found that more than 95% of infected New Yorkers carried a viral strain with a mutation that may make it easier to transmit.
The numerous infection sources and early dates of introduction point to a prolonged period of unrecognized community spread. The predominance of European strains confirms that most of the early spread in the region was at the community level, with more than 40% of SARS-CoV-2–positive individuals having no known contact with another infected person.
The study represents just 10% of the COVID-19 patients within a single hospital system in New York City, suggesting a much higher community infection level and an earlier introduction than currently recognized.
"Our findings show that New York's early screening test methods missed the onset and roots of the outbreak by several days at the minimum," co-lead author Matthew Maurano, PhD, of New York University said in a university news release today. "The work strongly suggests that to nip future outbreaks in the bud, we need a system of rapid, plentiful real-time genetic surveillance as well as traditional epidemiologic indicators," Maurano added.
Oct 22 Genome Res study
Oct 26 New York University news release
Multistate Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats sickens 10, kills 1
Ten people in three states have been hospitalized and one has died in a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak tied to deli meats, the CDC said late last week.
Whole-genomic sequencing indicated that the 10 cases thus far are related, and interviews with 9 of the ill people revealed they all had eaten Italian-style meats including salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. No common supplier or type of meat has been identified yet.
Cases have been found in Massachusetts (7), New York (2), and Florida (1 which was fatal), with samples collected from Aug 6 through Oct 3. Patients are between 40 and 89 years old, with a median age of 81. Eight of the patients are women.
The CDC recommends that people who are at high risk of getting sick from Listeria infection—such as pregnant women, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems—should avoid eating deli meats unless they are heated to internal temperatures of 165?F. The agency also says to clean all surfaces and supplies that deli meat and its juices may have come into contact with.
Listeriosis symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, and muscle aches, and it can cause complications in pregnant women. Symptoms generally start 1 to 4 weeks after exposure.
Oct 23 CDC outbreak notice
Probing possible urban spread in French Guiana Mayaro virus outbreak
An outbreak of the mosquito-borne Mayaro virus disease in French Guiana has resulted in 13 lab-confirmed cases within 3 months of each other and mainly in people from urban areas, unusual developments given that the country usually records 1 to 3 cases each year from forested areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.
The first few cases were confirmed in September in patients who had symptoms similar to dengue, but tested negative for that disease. A retrospective analysis of blood samples collected from July through September in the Cayenne area in patients who had similar symptoms turned up 11 more cases. Eleven of the patients live in urban coastal areas, another feature of the outbreak that is atypical, given that the virus is usually transmitted through a sylvatic cycle.
An investigation is underway to document patients' travel histories to determine if they contracted the virus in forest settings or if transmission is occurring in urban areas. The WHO said the risk of international spread is small, but a bigger threat can't be excluded if the investigation confirms that urban transmission is occurring.
Oct 25 WHO statement
News Scan for Oct 26, 2020
COVID-19 impact on health workers; Timing of NYC COVID outbreak; Listeria deli meat outbreak; French Guiana Mayaro virus outbreak
Filed Under:
Mayaro Virus; COVID-19; Listeria; Foodborne Disease
CDC report highlights COVID-19 prevalence in US healthcare workers
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that US healthcare workers accounted for 6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations from March through May.
The data, published today in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), show that, of 6,760 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from 13 states from Mar 1 through May 31, 5.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1% to 6.8%) were healthcare personnel (HCP). More than two thirds (67.4%) of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 were in occupations in which they were generally expected to have direct patient contact, and 36.3% worked in nursing-related occupations, including nurses (27.8%) and certified nursing assistants (8.5%).
The median age of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 was 49 years, and 71.9% were female. More than half (52%) were black, 27.4% were white, and 8.6% were Hispanic or Latino.
Further analysis of the data shows that 89.8% of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19 had at least one underlying condition, with obesity (72.5%), hypertension (40.6%), and diabetes (30.9%) the most common. Overall, 27.5% of HCP were admitted to an intensive care unit for a median of 6 days, 15.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 4.2% died during hospitalization.
The authors of the study say the data highlight the prevalence of severe COVID-19 and potential for virus transmission among HCP, and the subsequent implications for healthcare capacity as COVID-19 cases increase in the community.
"Continued surveillance of hospitalized HCP is necessary to document the prevalence and characteristics of COVID-19 among this population," they write. "Further understanding of exposure risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCP is important to inform additional prevention strategies for these essential workers."
Oct 26 CDC MMWR study
Genetic analysis points to late February start for NYC COVID-19 outbreak
A study last week in Genome Research used gene sequencing to trace the COVID-19 outbreak in the New York City region last spring, pointing to a late-February introduction seeded by multiple individuals, with most of the viral strains matching those from Europe or other US states rather than those from China.
The study collected viral samples from 864 nasal swabs taken from New Yorkers who tested positive from Mar 12 to May 10, compared viral gene sequences to viral samples worldwide, and analyzed phylogenetic relationships. The genetic analysis process used "flags"—small portions of the genetic code—to identify mutations found only in particular viral strains to compare viral samples and construct a viral "family tree."
The authors found that most New York viral strains closely matched those from Europe or other US states, with at least 109 different individuals seeding the outbreak via infection chains at least 50 people long. The researchers also found that more than 95% of infected New Yorkers carried a viral strain with a mutation that may make it easier to transmit.
The numerous infection sources and early dates of introduction point to a prolonged period of unrecognized community spread. The predominance of European strains confirms that most of the early spread in the region was at the community level, with more than 40% of SARS-CoV-2–positive individuals having no known contact with another infected person.
The study represents just 10% of the COVID-19 patients within a single hospital system in New York City, suggesting a much higher community infection level and an earlier introduction than currently recognized.
"Our findings show that New York's early screening test methods missed the onset and roots of the outbreak by several days at the minimum," co-lead author Matthew Maurano, PhD, of New York University said in a university news release today. "The work strongly suggests that to nip future outbreaks in the bud, we need a system of rapid, plentiful real-time genetic surveillance as well as traditional epidemiologic indicators," Maurano added.
Oct 22 Genome Res study
Oct 26 New York University news release
Multistate Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats sickens 10, kills 1
Ten people in three states have been hospitalized and one has died in a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak tied to deli meats, the CDC said late last week.
Whole-genomic sequencing indicated that the 10 cases thus far are related, and interviews with 9 of the ill people revealed they all had eaten Italian-style meats including salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. No common supplier or type of meat has been identified yet.
Cases have been found in Massachusetts (7), New York (2), and Florida (1 which was fatal), with samples collected from Aug 6 through Oct 3. Patients are between 40 and 89 years old, with a median age of 81. Eight of the patients are women.
The CDC recommends that people who are at high risk of getting sick from Listeria infection—such as pregnant women, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems—should avoid eating deli meats unless they are heated to internal temperatures of 165?F. The agency also says to clean all surfaces and supplies that deli meat and its juices may have come into contact with.
Listeriosis symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, and muscle aches, and it can cause complications in pregnant women. Symptoms generally start 1 to 4 weeks after exposure.
Oct 23 CDC outbreak notice
Probing possible urban spread in French Guiana Mayaro virus outbreak
An outbreak of the mosquito-borne Mayaro virus disease in French Guiana has resulted in 13 lab-confirmed cases within 3 months of each other and mainly in people from urban areas, unusual developments given that the country usually records 1 to 3 cases each year from forested areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.
The first few cases were confirmed in September in patients who had symptoms similar to dengue, but tested negative for that disease. A retrospective analysis of blood samples collected from July through September in the Cayenne area in patients who had similar symptoms turned up 11 more cases. Eleven of the patients live in urban coastal areas, another feature of the outbreak that is atypical, given that the virus is usually transmitted through a sylvatic cycle.
An investigation is underway to document patients' travel histories to determine if they contracted the virus in forest settings or if transmission is occurring in urban areas. The WHO said the risk of international spread is small, but a bigger threat can't be excluded if the investigation confirms that urban transmission is occurring.
Oct 25 WHO statement