Synopsis for January 9, 2004

This issue of the MMWR is NOT embargoed.

1. State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults ―United States, 2002
2. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in a Dairy Cow — Washington State, 2003
3. Fatal Respiratory Diphtheria in a Traveler to an Endemic Area — Pennsylvania, 2003
4. Update: Influenza-Associated Deaths Reported Among Children Aged <18 Years — United States, 2003–04 Influenza Season
5. Update: Influenza Activity — United States, December 21–27, 2003

Synopsis for January 9, 2004

State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults ―United States, 2002

Because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, efforts to reduce tobacco use must remain a public health priority.

Smoking prevalence continues to vary threefold across the 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (range: 9.5%–32.6%). The median proportion of everyday smokers who stopped smoking for more than one day was 52 percent compared with 45 percent reported in 1996. In addition, among 23 states the median proportion of current smokers who had been advised to quit was 72 percent. This may be a result of efforts within healthcare systems to increase treatment for tobacco users through proven interventions and system-level changes. Unless states expand cessation and other tobacco-control and -prevention efforts, the Healthy People 2010 goal of reducing smoking prevalence to <12% will not be achieved.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in a Dairy Cow — Washington State, 2003

No summary available.

Fatal Respiratory Diphtheria in a Traveler to an Endemic Area — Pennsylvania, 2003

All persons, including travelers, should ensure that they are up-to-date with all recommended vaccines.

Vaccination against diphtheria has been recommended for children and adults for more than 50 years. Children should routinely receive diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 -18 months and 4 --6 years; a booster dose with an adult formulation of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids should be given at age 11 --12 years and every 10 years thereafter. A person who is unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated against diphtheria may contract diphtheria and spread it to others if he/she is exposed to someone with diphtheria. About 5% --10% of diphtheria patients die even if given appropriate treatment. This fatal diphtheria case-report underscores the importance of up-to-date vaccination for travelers to diphtheria endemic areas.

Update: Influenza-Associated Deaths Reported Among Children Aged <18 Years — United States, 2003–04 Influenza Season

No summary available.

Update: Influenza Activity — United States, December 21–27, 2003

No summary available.

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