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| PRESS CONTACT: Robert Newman, M.D., M.P.H. CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases (770) 488鈥?760 |
Two U.S. citizens have died in 2001 after taking chloroquine alone or in combination with proguanil for malaria prophylaxis in countries with
known chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Chloroquine resistance is extremely widespread, and now affects sub-Saharan
Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and large areas of South America. CDC does not recommend chloroquine-containing drug therapy for
prevention regimens to persons who travel to areas with known chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria. Safe and effective alternative
drug therapy regimens exist for travelers to these regions. Therefore, all travelers to international destinations should seek the advice of a
health care provider regarding the need for malaria drug therapy for prevention and the selection of an appropriate medication. This report names
those appropriate drugs.
Program successfully prevents mother-to-infant HIV transmission in Thailand.
| PRESS CONTACT: Office of Communication CDC, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (404) 639鈥?895 |
Most of the world鈥檚 600,000 annual HIV infections among infants occur in developing countries. This report summarizes the results of a large pilot
program conducted in Northeastern Thailand to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission through HIV counseling and voluntary testing of pregnant
women and the provision of short-course zidovudine (AZT) therapy to HIV-infected pregnant women. The program, conducted in 1998-2000, resulted in
86% of 122,000 pregnant women accepting HIV testing and 69% of 922 HIV-infected women receiving prophylaxis to reduce mother-to-infant HIV
transmission. Additionally, infant formula use was nearly universal among HIV-infected women to prevent HIV transmission through breast-feeding.
The risk of mother-to-infant HIV transmission was estimated to be approximately 10%, which is similar to the results from clinical trials, and a
substantial reduction from the risk of 30% or more, which occurs in the absence of interventions. This program demonstrates that it is feasible to
implement programs to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission on a large scale in a developing country.
Hantavirus infection, though rare, can occur anywhere in the U.S. if the appropriate rodent vectors are present.
| PRESS CONTACT: Susan Schoenfeld, M.S.P.H. Vermont Department of Health (802) 863鈥?240 |
This report describes the first case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) infection in New England. Only 5% of confirmed cases of HPS have
occurred east of the Mississippi River. Hantavirus infection, though rare, can be acquired in Vermont/New England after exposure to rodents and
rodent droppings. The case-patient in this report had cleaned a mouse nest from a woodpile, observed mice in his basement, and trapped mice under
kitchen counters, during the 2 months preceding his illness and subsequent hospitalization. Individuals should take the necessary precautions to
decrease their risk of exposure to rodents. Physicians should consider hantavirus when treating an otherwise healthy patient who develops symptoms
consistent with HPS.
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CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z This page last reviewed Friday, July 20, 2001 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
