Zika virus preparedness and response: operational isues, challenges, ad opportunities

On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Zika virus disease (ZVD) outbreak constituted a public health emergency of international concern. ZVD is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, there have been reports of increased microcephaly cases and Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the infection. Due to the large number of international travelers visiting the Washington, District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area, health care workers within the city were asked to screen all patients about their recent travel history outside the United States (US). In addition, Washington, DC has a large population of frequent travelers, since many residents work in governmental or international non-governmental organizations. Our challenge was to not only develop and optimize a DC Zika surveillance protocol, but also to develop a regional protocol in collaboration with the neighboring jurisdictions of Maryland and Virginia. This report discusses planning for ZVD surveillance and response, including some ongoing challenges and opportunities to build and strengthen public health capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases.

Imported Malaria over Fifteen Years in an Inner City Teaching Hospital of Washington DC

As endemic malaria is not commonly seen in the United States, most of the cases diagnosed and reported are associated with travel to and from the endemic places of malaria. As the number of imported cases of malaria has been increasing since 1973, it is important to look into these cases to study the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease in the United States. In this study, we would like to share our experience in diagnosing and treating these patients at our institution. We did a retrospective chart review of 37 cases with a documented history of imported malaria from 1998 to 2012. Among them, 16 patients had complicated malaria during that study period, with a mean length of hospital stay of 3.5 days. Most common place of travel was Africa, and chemoprophylaxis was taken by only 11% of patients. Travel history plays a critical role in suspecting the diagnosis and in initiating prompt treatment.

Report on the 20th annual symposium of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The 20th annual symposium of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C. in the US on 11-13April 2008. In addition, pre-symposium workshops were held on 10 April 2008.<BR>The number of pre-registered participants was 289. Final number has not been published as of 3August2008.<BR>Lectures and the related workshops were delivered by 17 faculty members. Also, a poster session was prepared. It was impressive that new 'promising'conditions for acupuncture were recommended. The workshop to encourage the insurance reimbursement as well.