Author: Cody Micah Carmichael MPH, CPH

Top 5 Takeaways Outbreak Identification: A vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) was identified in Tajikistan in January 2021, with cases indicating local transmission and genetic links to a strain from

Top 5 Takeaways High Household Transmission: Omicron infection resulted in a high transmission rate of 67.8% among household contacts. Impact of Vaccination: The attack rate (AR) was lower among household

Top 5 Takeaways Increased Hospitalization Rates: COVID-19–associated hospitalization rates among children and adolescents rose significantly from late June to mid-August 2021, coinciding with the spread of the Delta variant. Age-Specific

Top 5 Takeaways Increased COVID-19 Cases: Since July 2021, with the Delta variant predominating, COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents aged 0–17 years have increased significantly. Higher ED Visits and

Top 5 Takeaways First Local Transmission: This report documents the first locally transmitted cases of Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) infection in the District of Columbia. Severe Symptoms: Both patients exhibited severe

Top 5 Takeaways Mask Use Reduces Transmission: Close contacts with any unmasked exposure had significantly higher odds of receiving a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result compared to those with only masked

Top 5 Takeaways Lower Vaccination Coverage in Rural Areas: COVID-19 vaccination coverage with the first dose was significantly lower in rural counties (58.5%) compared to urban counties (75.4%). Increased Disparities

Top 5 Takeaways National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS): Launched by the CDC in September 2020, NWSS coordinates wastewater surveillance programs to support the COVID-19 response across the United States. Early

Top 5 Takeaways Case Overview: A newborn was delivered at 24 weeks’ gestation with congenital varicella syndrome after the mother contracted varicella at 12 weeks’ gestation. Maternal History: The mother,