Epidemiology of Mpox Cases, and Tecovirimat and JYNNEOS Utilization, Alameda County, California, June-October 2022.

CONTEXT: The 2022 United States mpox outbreak disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. PROGRAM: We utilized surveillance data and vaccination registries to determine whether populations most impacted by mpox in Alameda County received JYNNEOS vaccines and tecovirimat (TPOXX) during June 1-October 31, 2022. IMPLEMENTATION: Alameda County Public Health Department responded to the mpox epidemic through partnerships with local health care providers who serve communities disproportionately affected by mpox. EVALUATION: During June 1-October 31, 2022, a total of 242 mpox cases were identified in Alameda County. Mpox incidence rates per 100 000 were highest among Black/African American (35.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26.8-46.5) and Hispanic/Latinx (25.1; CI, 20.1-30.9) residents, compared to Asian (3.8; CI, 2.3-5.9) and White (10.5; CI, 7.7-13.9) residents. Most confirmed cases were identified as gay, lesbian, or same-gender-loving (134, 67.3%) and bisexual (31, 15.6%); 226 (93.8%) cases were male. Sixty-nine (28.5%) mpox patients received TPOXX. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics of mpox cases when compared by TPOXX receipt status. JYNNEOS vaccine was received by 8277 Alameda County residents. The largest proportion of vaccinees were White residents (40.2%). Administration rates per 100 000 men who have sex with men were lowest among Asian and Hispanic/Latinx individuals, at 8779 (CI, 8283-9296) and 14 953 (CI, 14 156-15 784), respectively. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx males had the lowest vaccination-to-case ratios at 16.7 and 14.8, respectively. DISCUSSION: Mpox disproportionately affected Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx men who have sex with men in Alameda County. Strong partnerships with local health care providers ensured that persons with mpox received TPOXX treatment when indicated. However, higher JYNNEOS vaccine uptake in Black and Latinx communities needs improvement through ongoing and meaningful engagement with Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Effect of Advancing Age and Multiple Chronic Conditions on Mortality in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease after Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement.

CONTEXT: There is insufficient information on the effect that advancing age and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) have on mortality after placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) vs non-ESRD. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a differential effect of age and MCC exists between ESRD and non-ESRD. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective cohort study using data from the national Kaiser Permanente Cardiac Device Registry of patients who underwent placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of 7825 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, ESRD-affected patients constituted 4.0% of the cohort (n = 311), were similar in age (p = 0.91), and presented with a larger comorbidity burden (3.3 ± 1.3 vs 2.4 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). The effect of advancing age (every 5 years) on mortality in the ESRD cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.20) was less than in the non-ESRD cohort (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.25-1.32). Similarly, the effect of each additional comorbidity in the ESRD cohort was less (HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.91-1.19) than in the non-ESRD group (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.16-1.25). Lastly, ESRD was independently associated with a 3-fold greater hazard of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Advancing age and increasing number of MCC have a differential effect on mortality risk in patients with ESRD compared with their non-ESRD counterparts. Future studies should focus on assessment of nonlinear relationships of age, MCC, and naturally occurring clusters of MCC on mortality.

Pandemic (avian) influenza.

Pandemics of influenza have been reported since the early sixteenth century. Recent pandemics include the Spanish flu (H1N1) from 1918 to 1920 (resulting in approximately 50 million deaths worldwide); the Asian flu (H2N2) from 1957 to 1958 (resulting in more than 1 million deaths); the Hong Kong flu (H3N2) from 1968 to 1970 (responsible for approximately 700,000 deaths). Avian influenza viruses have now been identified as a source of novel hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidases (NAs) associated with pandemics. Although infections in humans with avian strains are uncommon, several outbreaks of severe influenza with highly virulent H5N1 strains derived from infected poultry were reported in China and other Asian countries since 2003. Large-scale culling operations and intensified surveillance led to eradication of H5N1 infection in poultry in some countries, but H5N1 infection in wild birds and domestic poultry has become endemic in many countries. The potential exists for global pandemics of unprecedented magnitude. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology and genetics of avian influenza viruses, the potential for transmission of disease to humans, clinical features of avian influenza infections in humans, appropriate diagnostic testing, and treatment. We also discuss global efforts for disease prevention via a host of programs, including intensified surveillance, culling of infected birds, education of medical personnel and the public, production of vaccines, and use of specific antiviral agents (e.g., adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors).