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Welcome message from the Chief Medical Officer
WHAT'S NEW:
- STD - Syphilis Letter To Clinicians 2/17/10
- STD - Syphilis Letter To Obstetrical Providers 2/17/10
- Health Alert: Haiti - 1/25/10
Periodically, communications regarding important and timely public health information are sent directly to physicians by the Centers for Disease Control, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Pima County Health Department. As not all contact lists remain current and all inclusive, we will be posting these communications at this site so that physicians who may not be receiving them can view them.
You may also find information on our “ Health Data and Statistics” page, including our quarterly Epidemiology and monthly Consumer Health & Food Safety reports. We hope that you will find this Physician's portion of our web site informative and useful in your practices.
Sincerely,
Michelle McDonald, MD
Chief Medical Officer
STD - Syphilis Letter To Clinicians (Updated 2/17/10)
I am writing today to highlight an ongoing and increasing problem of great public health
significance, and that is, our rates of both infectious and congenital syphilis. Arizona has been in
a syphilis outbreak since 2001, and it has not shown signs of abating. Unfortunately, we have
had a corresponding increase in congenital syphilis cases. Read more...
STD - Syphilis Letter to Obstetrical Providers (Updated 2/17/10)
I am writing to highlight an ongoing and increasing problem of great public health significance,
and that is, our rate of congenital syphilis cases. Arizona was #1 for rates of congenital syphilis
in the nation from 2003-2005, and we remain one of the most highly impacted states in the
nation. Read more...
Interim Recommendations for Initial Domestic Medical Screening of Haitian Orphan Parolees (Updated 2/01/10)
Purpose: To provide medical screening recommendations for diseases of public health importance in orphaned children entering the United States from Haiti under humanitarian parole status. Read more...
Health Alert: CDC Resources for Clinicians Treating Individuals Returning From Haiti (Posted 1/25/10)
In response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, we would like to provide you with the following information. If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov. Read more...
Letter to Clinicians Regarding H1N1 Influenza Outbreak (Posted 11/18/09)
I am writing to provide some updated information as well as to reflect a bit on how things are going with our healthcare community’s response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. The month of October showed very high activity with regards to flu in all settings – hospitals, schools, primary care offices, sales of over-the-counter medications, etc. There is some evidence beginning to suggest that levels may be starting to decline, but I ... Read more
Concerns of Traces of Mercury (Thimerosal) in H1N1 Vaccines - (Posted 10/23/09)
From Chief Medical Officer: Thimerosol is present in trace amounts in the multi dose vials of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. It is not present in the pre-filled syringes or in the nasal spray. We have received extremely limited quantities of prefilled syringes and these have been reserved for pregnant women and small children. In every scientific study done to look at possible dangers of thimerosol, no evidence to link it with autism has been found. The vaccine (all forms) is considered to cause the same range of side effects as the seasonal formulations. The shot can cause soreness, swelling and redness around the site. The nasal spray can cause a runny nose and sore throat. Both can cause some headache and fever. So far the clinical trials have not shown anything else.
CDC Health Alert: Recommendations for Early Empiric Antiviral Treatment in Persons with Suspected Influenza who are at Increased Risk of Developing Severe Disease (Posted 10/19/09)
Summary Recommendations: When treatment of influenza is indicated in a patient with suspected influenza, health care providers should initiate empiric antiviral treatment as soon as possible. Waiting for laboratory confirmation of influenza to begin treatment with antiviral drugs is not necessary. Patients with a negative rapid influenza diagnostic test should be considered for treatment if clinically indicated because a negative rapid influenza test result does not rule out influenza virus infection. The sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests for 2009 H1N1 virus can range from 10% to 70%, indicating that false negative results occur frequently. Read more...
Medication Safety Alert: Tamiflu oral suspension shortage contributing to dosing errors - Posted 10/15/09
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is alerting all healthcare professionals about a risk of dosing errors related to the concentration of pharmacy-compounded TAMIFLU (oseltamivir phosphate) oral suspension being dispensed in response to shortages of the manufacturer’s oral suspension. Read more...
Confirmed Mumps Cluster Identified in Pima County - Posted 08/13/09
This report is a Special Enhanced Surveillance Notice and includes notification of Confirmed Mumps Cluster Identified in Pima County.
Attached please find: Special Enhanced Surveillance Notice-Confirmed Mumps Cluster Identified in Pima County
Do NOT wait until laboratory results become available. Please report all patients presenting with parotitis to: Pima County Health Department, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm at (520) 243-7797; after hours (520) 743-7987. You may also reach the Arizona Department of Health Services, Disease Surveillance Hotline at 1-800-496-9660.
Please post attached notice in Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Facilities. Download
Report confirmed and suspect cases to the Pima County Health Department, Disease Control at 243-7797 M-F or 743-7987 after hours. Download
Thank you for your attention.
Anne Spacone, MPH
Epidemiologist
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Pima County Health Department
Chief Medical Officer's Office
3950 S. Country Club Drive
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone:(520) 243-7797
Fax: (520) 791-0366
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PIMA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT | 3950 S. Country Club Road, Ste. 100 Tucson, Arizona 85714
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