Early Release

Synopsis

• Fetal Loss and Preterm Birth Caused by Intraamniotic Haemophilus influenzae Infection
  T. Hills et al.

Research

• Quantifying Population Burden and Effectiveness of Decentralized Surveillance Strategies for Skin-Presenting Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liberia
  J. Timothy et al. View Abstract

  We evaluated programmatic approaches for skin neglected tropical disease (NTD) surveillance and completed a robust estimation of the burden of skin NTDs endemic to West Africa (Buruli ulcer, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and yaws). In Maryland, Liberia, exhaustive case finding by community health workers of 56,285 persons across 92 clusters identified 3,241 suspected cases. A total of 236 skin NTDs were confirmed by midlevel healthcare workers trained to use a tailored program. Cases showed a focal and spatially heterogeneous distribution. This community health worker‒led approach showed a higher skin NTD burden than prevailing surveillance mechanisms, but also showed high (95.1%) and equitable population coverage. Specialized training and task-shifting of diagnoses to midlevel health workers led to reliable identification of skin NTDs, but reliability of individual diagnoses varied. This multifaceted evaluation of skin NTD surveillance strategies quantifies benefits and limitations of key approaches promoted by the 2030 NTD roadmap of the World Health Organization.

• Costs of Tuberculosis at 3 Treatment Centers, Canada, 2010–2016
  J. R. Campbell et al. View Abstract

  We estimated costs of managing different forms of tuberculosis (TB) across Canada by conducting a retrospective chart review and cost assessment of patients treated for TB infection, drug-susceptible TB (DS TB), isoniazid-resistant TB, or multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) at 3 treatment centers. We included 90 patients each with TB infection and DS TB, 71 with isoniazid-resistant TB, and 62 with MDR TB. Median per-patient costs for TB infection (in 2020 Canadian dollars) were $804 (interquartile range [IQR] $587–$1,205), for DS TB $12,148 (IQR $4,388–$24,842), for isoniazid-resistant TB $19,319 (IQR $7,117–$41,318), and for MDR TB $119,014 (IQR $80,642–$164,015). Compared with costs for managing DS TB, costs were 11.1 (95% CI 9.1–14.3) times lower for TB infection, 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.1) times higher for isoniazid-resistant TB, and 8.1 (95% CI 6.1–10.6) times higher for MDR TB. Broadened TB infection treatment could avert high costs associated with managing TB disease.

• Tracking Emergence and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Large and Small Communities by Wastewater Monitoring in Alberta, Canada
  C. Hubert et al. View Abstract

  Wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 enables early detection and monitoring of the COVID-19 disease burden in communities and can track specific variants of concern. We determined proportions of the Omicron and Delta variants across 30 municipalities covering >75% of the province of Alberta (population 4.5 million), Canada, during November 2021–January 2022. Larger cities Calgary and Edmonton exhibited more rapid emergence of Omicron than did smaller and more remote municipalities. Notable exceptions were Banff, a small international resort town, and Fort McMurray, a medium-sized northern community that has many workers who fly in and out regularly. The integrated wastewater signal revealed that the Omicron variant represented close to 100% of SARS-CoV-2 burden by late December, before the peak in newly diagnosed clinical cases throughout Alberta in mid-January. These findings demonstrate that wastewater monitoring offers early and reliable population-level results for establishing the extent and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

• Age-Dependent Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine and of Healthcare Burden on COVID-19 Deaths, Tokyo, Japan
  Y. K. Ko et al. View Abstract

  COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against death in Japan remains unknown. Furthermore, although evidence indicates that healthcare capacity influences case-fatality risk (CFR), it remains unknown whether this relationship is mediated by age. With a modeling study, we analyzed daily COVID-19 cases and deaths during January–August 2021 by using Tokyo surveillance data to jointly estimate COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against death and age-specific CFR. We also examined daily healthcare operations to determine the association between healthcare burden and age-specific CFR. Among fully vaccinated patients, vaccine effectiveness against death was 88.6% among patients 60–69 years of age, 83.9% among patients 70–79 years of age, 83.5% among patients 80–89 years of age, and 77.7% among patients >90 years of age. A positive association of several indicators of healthcare burden with CFR among patients >70 years of age suggested an age-dependent effect of healthcare burden on CFR in Japan.

• Rapid Adaptation of Established High-Throughput Molecular Testing Infrastructure for Monkeypox Virus Detection
  D. Nörz et al. View Abstract

  Beginning in May 2022, a rising number of monkeypox cases were reported in non–monkeypox-endemic countries in the Northern Hemisphere. We adapted 2 published quantitative PCRs for use as a dual-target monkeypox virus test on widely used automated high-throughput PCR systems. We determined analytic performance by serial dilutions of monkeypox virus reference material, which we quantified by digital PCR. We found the lower limit of detection for the combined assays was 4.795 (95% CI 3.6–8.6) copies/mL. We compared clinical performance against a commercial manual orthopoxvirus research use only PCR kit by using clinical remnant swab samples. Our assay showed 100% positive (n = 11) and 100% negative (n = 56) agreement. Timely and scalable PCR tests are crucial for limiting further spread of monkeypox. The assay we provide streamlines high-throughput molecular testing for monkeypox virus on existing broadly established platforms used for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing.

• Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Children Migrating to Australia
  I. Laemmle-Ruff et al. View Abstract

  In 2015, Australia updated premigration screening for tuberculosis (TB) disease in children 2–10 years of age to include testing for infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and enable detection of latent TB infection (LTBI). We analyzed TB screening results in children <15 years of age during November 2015–June 2017. We found 45,060 child applicants were tested with interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) (57.7% of tests) or tuberculin skin test (TST) (42.3% of tests). A total of 21 cases of TB were diagnosed: 4 without IGRA or TST, 10 with positive IGRA or TST, and 7 with negative results. LTBI was detected in 3.3% (1,473/44,709) of children, for 30 applicants screened per LTBI case detected. LTBI-associated factors included increasing age, TB contact, origin from a higher TB prevalence region, and testing by TST. Detection of TB and LTBI benefit children, but the updated screening program’s effect on TB in Australia is likely to be limited.

• Fulminant Transfusion-Associated Hepatitis E Virus Infection Despite Screening, England, 2016–2020
  H. Harvala et al. View Abstract

  In England, all blood donations are screened in pools of 24 by nucleic acid test (NAT) for hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA. During 2016–2020, this screening successfully identified and intercepted 1,727 RNA-positive donations. However, review of previous donations from infected platelet donors identified 9 donations in which HEV RNA detection was missed, of which 2 resulted in confirmed transmission: 1 infection resolved with ribavirin treatment, and 1 proceeded to fatal multiorgan failure within a month from infection. Residual risk calculations predict that over the 5-year study period, HEV RNA detection was missed by minipool NAT in 12–23 platelet and 177–354 whole-blood donations, but transmission risk remains undetermined. Although screening has been able to largely eliminate infectious HEV from the blood supply in England, missed detection of low levels of HEV RNA in donated blood can lead to a severe, even fulminant, infection in recipients and could be prevented by more sensitive screening.

• Increasing Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease, Idaho, USA, 2008–2019
  E. M. Dunne et al.
• Detection of Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and Tickborne Pathogens in Humans Exposed to Tick Bites, Italy
  G. Sgroi et al. View Abstract

  During 2021, we collected blood and serum samples from 135 persons exposed to tick bites in southern Italy. We serologically and molecularly screened for zoonotic tickborne pathogens and molecularly screened for Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. Overall, 62 (45.9%) persons tested positive for tickborne pathogens. Coxiella burnetii was detected most frequently (27.4%), along with Rickettsia spp. (21.5%) and Borrelia spp. (10.4%). We detected Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in 46 (34.1%) participants who had statistically significant associations to tickborne pathogens (p<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis of Candidatus M. mitochondrii sequences revealed 5 clades and 8 human sequence types that correlated with vertebrates, Ixodes spp. ticks, and countries in Europe. These data demonstrated a high circulation of tickborne pathogens and Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in persons participating in outdoor activities in southern Italy. Our study shows how coordinated surveillance among patients, clinicians, and veterinarians could inform a One Health approach for monitoring and controlling the circulation of tickborne pathogens.

• Revised Definitions of Tuberculosis Resistance and Treatment Outcomes, France, 2006–2019
  Y. Kherabi et al. View Abstract

  Definitions of resistance in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) have been updated. Pre–XDR TB, defined as MDR TB with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones, and XDR TB, with additional resistance to bedaquiline or linezolid, are frequently associated with treatment failure and toxicity. We retrospectively determined the effects of pre-XDR/XDR TB resistance on outcomes and safety of MDR TB treatment in France. The study included 298 patients treated for MDR TB at 3 reference centers during 2006–2019. Of those, 205 (68.8%) cases were fluoroquinolone-susceptible MDR TB and 93 (31.2%) were pre-XDR/XDR TB. Compared with fluoroquinolone-susceptible MDR TB, pre-XDR/XDR TB was associated with more cavitary lung lesions and bilateral disease and required longer treatment. Overall, 202 patients (67.8%) had favorable treatment outcomes, with no significant difference between pre-XDR/XDR TB (67.7%) and fluoroquinolone-susceptible MDR TB (67.8%; p = 0.99). Pre-XDR/XDR TB was not associated with higher risk for serious adverse events.

Dispatches

• Epidemiology of Infections with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 Variant, Hong Kong, January–March 2022
  Y. M. Mefsin et al. View Abstract

  Our analysis of data collected from multiple epidemics in Hong Kong indicated a shorter serial interval and generation time of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The age-specific case-fatality risk for Omicron BA.2.2 case-patients without complete primary vaccination was comparable to that of persons infected with ancestral strains in earlier waves.

• Coccidioidomycosis Seroincidence and Risk among Military Personnel, Naval Air Station Lemoore, San Joaquin Valley, California, USA
  G. C. Ellis et al. View Abstract

  We conducted a retrospective cohort study that tested 2,000 US military personnel for Coccidioides antibodies in a disease-endemic region. The overall incidence of seroconversion was 0.5 cases/100 person-years; 12.5% of persons who seroconverted had illnesses requiring medical care. No significant association was found between demographic characteristics and seroconversion or disease.

• Susceptibility of Wild Canids to SARS-CoV-2
  S. M. Porter et al. View Abstract

  We assessed 2 wild canid species, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans), for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. After experimental inoculation, red foxes became infected and shed infectious virus. Conversely, experimentally challenged coyotes did not become infected; therefore, coyotes are unlikely to be competent hosts for SARS-CoV-2.

• Epidemiologic Features and Control Measures during Monkeypox Outbreak, Spain, June 2022
  B. Suárez Rodríguez et al. View Abstract

  During June 2022, Spain was one of the countries most affected worldwide by a multicountry monkeypox outbreak with chains of transmission without identified links to disease-endemic countries. We provide epidemiologic features of cases reported in Spain and the coordinated measures taken to respond to this outbreak.

• Sporadic Occurrence of Enteroaggregative Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 Similar to 2011 Outbreak Strain
  C. E. Coipan et al. View Abstract

  We describe the recent detection of 3 Shiga toxin–producing enteroaggregative Escherichia coli O104:H4 isolates from patients and 1 from pork in the Netherlands that were genetically highly similar to isolates from the 2011 large-scale outbreak in Europe. Our findings stress the importance of safeguarding food supply production chains to prevent future outbreaks.

• Evaluation of Effectiveness of Global COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
  D. He et al. View Abstract

  To model estimated deaths averted by COVID-19 vaccines, we used state-of-the-art mathematical modeling, likelihood-based inference, and reported COVID-19 death and vaccination data. We estimated that >1.5 million deaths were averted in 12 countries. Our model can help assess effectiveness of the vaccination program, which is crucial for curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum Hookworm Infections, Ecuador
  W. J. Sears et al. View Abstract

  Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are zoonotic parasites that can infect humans. To detect autochthonous transmission, we analyzed human fecal samples collected in 2000. Multiparallel quantitative PCR detected infection in persons who had never traveled outside Ecuador. These data indicate human transmission of A. ceylanicum in the Americas, although endemicity remains unknown.

• Sequestration and Destruction of Rinderpest Virus–Containing Material 10 Years after Eradication
  C. M. Budke et al. View Abstract

  In 2021, the world marked 10 years free from rinderpest. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health have since made great strides in consolidating, sequencing, and destroying stocks of rinderpest virus–containing material, currently kept by only 14 known institutions. This progress must continue.

• Experimental Infection of Peromyscus Species Rodents with Sin Nombre Virus
  K. Quizon et al. View Abstract

  We demonstrate that 6 distinct Peromyscus rodent species are permissive to experimental infection with Sin Nombre orthohantavirus (SNV). Viral RNA and SNV antibodies were detected in members of all 6 species. P. leucopus mice demonstrated markedly higher viral and antibody titers than P. maniculatus mice, the established primary hosts for SNV.

• Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antibody Kinetics, Seroreversion, and Implications for Seroepidemiologic Studies
  M. Loesche et al. View Abstract

  Given widespread use of spike antibody in generating coronavirus disease vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies are increasingly used to indicate previous infection in serologic surveys. However, longitudinal kinetics and seroreversion are poorly defined. We found substantial seroreversion of nucleocapsid total immunoglobulin, underscoring the need to account for seroreversion in seroepidemiologic studies.

• Ancylostoma ceylanicum Hookworms in Dogs, Grenada, West Indies
  P. A. Zendejas-Heredia et al. View Abstract

  Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are recognized agents of human infection in the Asia–Pacific region. We investigated prevalence of zoonotic hookworm infection in dogs in Grenada in 2021; 40.8% were infected by hookworms, including Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Surveillance of this parasite in dogs and humans is needed in tropical/subtropical countries in the Americas.

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Incidence, South Korea, 2001–2019
  Y. Kim and B. Jeong View Abstract

  We found increasing trends of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) cases and annual incidence in South Korea during 2001–2019. We noted relatively low (5.7%) distribution of familial CJD. An unusually high percentage (≈1%) of patients were in the 30–39 age group, which should prompt a preemptive CJD control system.

• Acute Q Fever with Atrioventricular Block, Israel
  K. Badarni et al. View Abstract

  Cardiac involvement in acute Q fever is rare. We report 2 cases of an advanced atrioventricular block in young adult patients in Israel who sought care for acute Q fever without evidence of myocarditis. Q fever should be suspected in unexplained conduction abnormalities, especially in febrile young patients residing in disease-endemic areas.

• International Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Rhodococcus equi
  J. Val-Calvo et al. View Abstract

  A multidrug-resistant clone of the animal and human pathogen Rhodococcus equi, MDR-RE 2287, has been circulating among equine farms in the United States since the 2000s. We report the detection of MDR-RE 2287 outside the United States. Our finding highlights the risk for MDR-RE spreading internationally with horse movements.

• Laboratory Misidentifications Resulting from Taxonomic Changes to Bacillus cereus Group Species, 2018–2022
  L. M. Carroll et al. View Abstract

  Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is being applied increasingly to Bacillus cereus group species; however, misinterpretation of WGS results may have severe consequences. We report 3 cases, 1 of which was an outbreak, in which misinterpretation of B. cereus group WGS results hindered communication within public health and industrial laboratories.

Research Letters

• Social and Behavioral Factors Associated with Lack of Intent to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine, Japan
  T. Arashiro et al. View Abstract

  Persons in Japan who did not intend to receive COVID-19 vaccines after widespread rollout were less likely than others to engage in preventive measures or to be afraid of getting infected or infecting others. They were also not less likely to engage in potentially high-risk behaviors, suggesting similar or higher exposure risks.

• Fatal Fungicide-Associated Triazole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Infection, Pennsylvania, USA
  K. Bradley et al. View Abstract

  We report a fatal infection in a 65-year-old immunocompromised male patient caused by pan-triazole–resistant Aspergillus fumigatus containing a TR₃₄/L98H genetic mutation linked to agricultural fungicide use. Clinical and environmental surveillance of triazole-resistant A. fumigatus is needed in the United States to prevent spread and guide healthcare and agricultural practices.

• Pathogenesis and Transmissibility of North American Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Ferrets
  J. A. Pulit-Penaloza et al. View Abstract

  Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses have spread rapidly throughout North American flyways in recent months, affecting wild birds in over 40 states. We evaluated the pathogenicity and transmissibility of a representative virus using a ferret model and examined replication kinetics of this virus in human respiratory tract cells.

• Tropheryma whipplei Intestinal Colonization in Migrant Children, Greece
  S. Makka et al.
• Arthritis Caused by Nannizziopsis obscura, France
  H. Mascitti et al. View Abstract

  Nannizziopsis spp., fungi responsible for emerging diseases, are rarely involved in human bone and joint infections. We present a rare case of septic arthritis with necrotizing cellulitis caused by N. obscura in a patient in France who had undergone kidney transplant. Rapid, aggressive medical and surgical management led to a favorable outcome.

• Trichodysplasia Spinulosa Polyomavirus Endothelial Infection, California, USA
  L. Lawrence et al. View Abstract

  We describe 3 patients in California, USA, with trichodysplasia spinulosa polyomavirus (TSPyV) infection of endothelium after steroid administration. We detected TSPyV RNA in cutaneous tissue specimens by in situ hybridization. These cases suggest endothelium as a potential cellular reservoir for TSPyV. Diseases associated with endothelial inflammation could be associated with TSPyV infection.

• Correlation between Clinical and Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance, Oregon, USA
  D. Kaya et al. View Abstract

  SARS-CoV-2 variant proportions in a population can be estimated through genomic sequencing of clinical specimens or wastewater samples. We demonstrate strong pairwise correlation between statewide variant estimates in Oregon, USA, derived from both methods (correlation coefficient 0.97). Our results provide crucial evidence of the effectiveness of community-level genomic surveillance.

• Effect of Frequent SARS-CoV-2 Testing on Weekly Case Rates in Long-Term Care Facilities, Florida, USA
  L. Allan-Blitz et al. View Abstract

  We analyzed 1,292,165 SARS-CoV-2 test results from residents and employees of 361 long-term care facilities in Florida, USA. A 1% increase in testing resulted in a 0.08% reduction in cases 3 weeks after testing began. Increasing SARS-CoV-2 testing frequency is a viable tool for reducing virus transmission in these facilities.

• Highly Divergent SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant in Chronically Infected Immunocompromised Person
  B. Munnink et al. View Abstract

  We detected a highly divergent SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in an immunocompromised person several months after the latest detection of the Alpha variant in the Netherlands. The patient was infected for 42 weeks despite several treatment regimens and disappearance of most clinical symptoms. We identified several potential immune escape mutations in the spike protein.

• Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Suggestive of Single Events of Spillover to Cattle, Germany
  K. Wernike et al. View Abstract

  Human infection with SARS-CoV-2 poses a risk for transmission to animals. To characterize the risk for cattle, we serologically investigated 1,000 samples collected from cattle in Germany in late 2021. Eleven antibody-positive samples indicated that cattle may be occasionally infected by contact with SARS-CoV-2–positive keepers, but we found no indication of further spread.

• Infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant 24 Days after Non-Omicron Infection, Pennsylvania, USA
  A. G. Seid et al. View Abstract

  A 42-year-old man, with up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, experienced symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in December 2021. Mutation tests suggested a non-Omicron variant. After his recovery, and 24 days after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test, he had onset of symptomatic infection with the BA.1.1 (Omicron) variant, which was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing.

• Feline Panleukopenia Virus in Dogs from Italy and Egypt
  G. Diakoudi et al. View Abstract

  Canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) are variants of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1. We identified and characterized FPV in dogs from Italy and Egypt using genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Cost-effective sequencing strategies should be used to monitor interspecies spread, evolution dynamics, and potential host jumping of FPV.

• Molecular Epidemiology of Blastomyces gilchristii Clusters, Minnesota, USA
  U. R. Bagal et al. View Abstract

  We characterized 2 clusters of blastomycosis cases in Minnesota, USA, using whole-genome sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphism analyses. Blastomyces gilchristii was confirmed as the cause of infection. Genomic analyses corresponded with epidemiologic findings for cases of B. gilchristii infections, demonstrating the utility of genomic methods for future blastomycosis outbreak investigations.

• Invasive Meningococcal X Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Brazil
  L. O. Fukasawa et al. View Abstract

  Invasive meningococcal disease persists as a fulminant disorder worldwide. Although cases caused by Neisseira meningitidis serogroup X (MenX) occur infrequently, outbreaks have been reported in countries in Africa in recent decades. We report 2 cases of MenX invasive meningococcal disease in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2021 and 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Books and Media

• Plagues Upon the Earth: Disease and the Course of Human History
  W. Partin

Synopses

• Systematic Review and Metaanalysis of Foodborne Tickborne Encephalitis, Europe, 1980–2021
  M. Elbaz et al.
• Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Hospitalization and Fungal Infection Risk, United States, 2019
  E. Rayens et al.

Research

• Environmental Persistence of Monkeypox Virus on Surfaces in Household of Person with Travel-Associated Infection, Dallas, Texas, USA, 2021
  C. N. Morgan et al. View Abstract

  In July 2021, we conducted environmental sampling at the residence of a person in Dallas, Texas, USA, who had travel-associated human West African monkeypox virus (MPXV-WA). Targeted environmental swab sampling was conducted 15 days after the person who had monkeypox left the household. Results indicate extensive MPXV-WA DNA contamination, and viable virus from 7 samples was successfully isolated in cell culture. There was no statistical difference (p = 0.94) between MPXV-WA PCR positivity of porous (9/10, 90%) vs. nonporous (19/21, 90.5%) surfaces, but there was a significant difference (p<0.01) between viable virus detected in cultures of porous (6/10, 60%) vs. nonporous (1/21, 5%) surfaces. These findings indicate that porous surfaces (e.g., bedding, clothing) may pose more of a MPXV exposure risk than nonporous surfaces (e.g., metal, plastic). Viable MPXV was detected on household surfaces after at least 15 days. However, low titers (<10² PFU) indicate a limited potential for indirect transmission.

• Rapid Increase in Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections, Clark County, Nevada, USA, December 2021
  J. Ruff et al.
• Novel Zoonotic Avian Influenza Virus
  T. Sit et al.
• SARS-CoV-2 Secondary Attack Rates in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Household Contacts during Replacement of Delta with Omicron Variant, Spain
  I. López-Muñoz et al.
• Plasmodium falciparum Parasites with pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Deletions, Djibouti and Horn of Africa
  E. Rogier et al.
• Importation and Circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Serotype 2, Senegal, 2020–2021
  M. Faye et al.

Dispatches

• Nosocomial COVID-19 Incidence and Secondary Attack Rates among Patients of Tertiary Care Center, Zurich, Switzerland
  A. Wolfensberger et al.
• Presence of Ophiodiomyces ophiodiicola, Etiologic Agent of Snake Fungal Disease, in Europe since the Late 1950s
  F. C. Origgi et al.
• Epidemiology of Early Monkeypox Virus Transmission in Sexual Networks of Gay and Bisexual Men, England, 2022
  A. Vusirikala et al.
• Contaminated Dialysis Water Supply Faucet as Reservoir for Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  C. Prestel et al.
• Early Estimates of Monkeypox Incubation Period, Generation Time, and Reproduction Number, Italy, May–June 2022
  G. Guzzetta et al.

Research Letters

• Emerging Tickborne Bacteria in Cattle from Colombia
  A. Ramírez-Hernández et al.
• Identifying Contact Risks for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Healthcare Workers during Outbreak in COVID-19 Ward
  M. Zeeb et al.
• Haematospirillum jordaniae Cellulitis and Bacteremia
  E. Pal et al.
• Cluster of Donor-Derived Cryptococcosis after Liver and Kidney Transplantation
  M. Sha et al.
• Introduction and Differential Diagnosis of Monkeypox in Argentina, 2022
  A. Lewis et al.
• Human Monkeypox without Viral Prodrome or Sexual Exposure, California, 2022
  A. Karan et al.

Synopses

• Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thai-Myanmar Border, 2020–2021
  B. Knust et al.
• CDC’s COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation Program and Lessons from Earlier Vaccine Introductions
  H. M. Soeters et al. View Abstract

  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports international partners in introducing vaccines, including those against SARS-CoV-2 virus. CDC contributes to the development of global technical tools, guidance, and policy for COVID-19 vaccination and has established its COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation (CIVIE) program. CIVIE supports ministries of health and their partner organizations in developing or strengthening their national capacities for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination programs. CIVIE’s 7 priority areas for country-specific technical assistance are vaccine policy development, program planning, vaccine confidence and demand, data management and use, workforce development, vaccine safety, and evaluation. We discuss CDC’s work on global COVID-19 vaccine implementation, including priorities, challenges, opportunities, and applicable lessons learned from prior experiences with Ebola, influenza, and meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine introductions.

• Leveraging International Influenza Surveillance Systems and Programs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  P. Marcenac et al. View Abstract

  A network of global respiratory disease surveillance systems and partnerships has been built over decades as a direct response to the persistent threat of seasonal, zoonotic, and pandemic influenza. These efforts have been spearheaded by the World Health Organization, country ministries of health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nongovernmental organizations, academic groups, and others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked closely with ministries of health in partner countries and the World Health Organization to leverage influenza surveillance systems and programs to respond to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Countries used existing surveillance systems for severe acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness, respiratory virus laboratory resources, pandemic influenza preparedness plans, and ongoing population-based influenza studies to track, study, and respond to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The incorporation of COVID-19 surveillance into existing influenza sentinel surveillance systems can support continued global surveillance for respiratory viruses with pandemic potential.

• Lessons Learned from CDC’s Global COVID-19 Early Warning and Response Surveillance System
  P. M. Ricks et al.
• Faith Community Engagement to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission Associated with Mass Gathering, Uman, Ukraine, September 2021
  L. Erickson-Mamane et al. View Abstract

  Annually, ≈30,000 Hasidic and Orthodox Jews travel to Uman, Ukraine, during the Jewish New Year to pray at the burial place of the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement. Many pilgrims come from the northeastern United States. The global health implications of this event were seen in 2019 when measles outbreaks in the United States and Israel were linked to the pilgrimage. The 2020 pilgrimage was cancelled as part of the COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by the government of Ukraine. To prepare for the 2021 event, the National Public Health Institute, the Public Health Center of Ukraine, organized mitigation measures for pilgrims arriving in Uman, and the CDC COVID-19 International Task Force assisted with mitigation measures for pilgrims coming from the United States. We describe efforts to support COVID-19 mitigation measures before, during, and after this mass gathering and lessons learned for future mass gatherings during pandemics.

• Adoption of World Health Organization Multimodal Infection Prevention and Control Strategies to Respond to COVID-19, Kenya
  D. Kimani et al.
• Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Services for HIV Prevention, Sub-Saharan Africa, 2020
  M. E. Peck et al.
• Clinical and Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Agricultural Workers, Guatemala
  D. Olson et al. View Abstract

  We evaluated clinical and socioeconomic burdens of respiratory disease in banana farm workers in Guatemala. We offered all eligible workers enrollment during June 15–December 30, 2020, and annually, then tracked them for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) through self-reporting to study nurses, sentinel surveillance at health posts, and absenteeism. Workers who had ILI submitted nasopharyngeal swab specimens for testing for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2, then completed surveys at days 0, 7, and 28. Through October 10, 2021, a total of 1,833 workers reported 169 ILIs (12.0 cases/100 person-years), and 43 (25.4%) were laboratory-confirmed infections with SARS-CoV-2 (3.1 cases/100 person-years). Workers who had SARS-CoV-2‒positive ILIs reported more frequent anosmia, dysgeusia, difficulty concentrating, and irritability and worse clinical and well-being severity scores than workers who had test result‒negative ILIs. Workers who had positive results also had greater absenteeism and lost income. These results support prioritization of farm workers in Guatemala for COVID-19 vaccination.

• Case Study of CDC South Africa Epidemiology Surge Support to Enhance Robustness and Expand Capacity of the South Africa SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic National Response Efforts
  R. Taback-Esra et al.
• SARS-CoV-2 Prevalence in Malawi Based on Survey of Communities and Health Workers in 5 High-Burden Districts, October 2020
  J. Theu et al.
• Outcomes after Acute Malnutrition Program Adaptations to COVID-19, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia
  T. Shragai et al. View Abstract

  At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, protocols for community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) were implemented to support continuity of essential feeding services while mitigating COVID-19 transmission. To assess correlations between adaptation timing and CMAM program indicators, we evaluated routine program data in Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia for children 6–59 months of age. We specifically analyzed facility-level changes in total admissions, average length of stay (ALOS), total children screened for admission, and recovery rates before and after adaptations. We found no statistically significant changes in program indicators after adaptations. For Somalia, we also analyzed child-level changes in ALOS and in weight and mid–upper arm circumference at admission and discharge. ALOS significantly increased immediately after adaptations and then decreased to preadaptation levels. We found no meaningful changes in either weight or mid–upper arm circumference at admission or discharge. These findings indicate that adapted CMAM programs can remain effective.

• Effect of Nigeria Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Nigeria
  O. Bolu et al.
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• Field Epidemiology Training Program Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, India, 2020–2021
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