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PRESS CONTACT: |
Timely laboratory and clinical recognition of melioidosis can improve patients’ outcomes and public health surveillance activities. Due to an increased risk of relapse, antibiotic treatment should closely follow the recommended guidelines.
Melioidosis is a potentially serious illness caused by infection with the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is commonly found in the environment in endemic areas of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and in tropical areas between latitudes 200 north and south. Persons with type 2 diabetes are especially susceptible to symptomatic infection; additional risk factors include thalassemia, renal disease, chronic alcoholism, and liver disease. It is a rare disease in the United States, and these are the first cases in Florida since the reporting of the disease became mandatory in 2003. Timely laboratory and clinical recognition of the illness can improve patients’ outcomes and public health surveillance activities. Due to an increased risk of relapse, antibiotic treatment should closely follow the recommended guidelines.
PRESS CONTACT: |
Although a steady decrease in the national prevalence rate of adults with blood lead levels of 25 mcg/dL or greater has been observed, the goal of reducing the rate to zero by 2010 will not be reached unless even more effective interventions to prevent lead exposures are practiced.
Since 1994 CDC’s Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) Program has tracked blood lead levels in adults. During that time the number of states reporting to ABLES has increased from 17 to 37. Although a steady decrease in the national prevalence rate of adults with blood lead levels of 25 mcg/dL or greater has been observed, the goal of reducing the rate to zero by 2010 will likely not be reached. To increase the chances to attain the goal: the ABLES states must become more effective in their lead intervention activities, the OSHA lead prevention program must continue vigorously, lead industry employers must do all that is feasible to reduce workplace exposures, and Union organizations such as the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights must research and report lead-reducing work practices.
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Contact Us This page last reviewed November 9, 2006 Centers for
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