Risk for Meningococcal Disease Associated With the Hajj 2001

doi:10.1001/jama.285.11.1438

Abstract

Every year approximately two million pilgrims from more than 140 countries gather in Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam known as the Hajj. Coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage during March 2000, Saudi Arabian health officials identified an outbreak of meningococcal disease; a substantial proportion of the isolates were the bacterial strain Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135. Four cases of meningococcal disease subsequently were identified among the estimated 15,000 pilgrims returning to the United States, their close contacts, and community. In addition, approximately 400 cases of meningococcal disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroup W-135 wereidentified worldwide during 2000. Whether an outbreak of meningococcal disease will recur in 2001 is unknown.

Highlights

CDC AND EMORY UNIVERSITY’S ROLlins School of Public Health will cosponsor a course, “International Course in Applied Epidemiology,” during September 24–October 19, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. This basic course in epidemiology is directed at public health professionals from countries other than the United States
Preference will be given to applicants whose work involves priority public health problems in inter-national health
Additional information and applications are available from Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, International Health Dept.(PIA), 1518

Summary

International Course in Applied

CDC AND EMORY UNIVERSITY’S ROLlins School of Public Health will cosponsor a course, “International Course in Applied Epidemiology,” during September 24–October 19, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. This basic course in epidemiology is directed at public health professionals from countries other than the United States. The course’s content includes presentations and discussions of epidemiologic principles, basic statistical analysis, public health surveillance, field investigations, surveys and sampling, and discussions of the epidemiologic aspects of current major public health problems in international health. Additional information and applications are available from Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, International Health Dept.(PIA), 1518. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites

Blood and Hair

The geometric mean total blood Hg concentration for all women aged

Food and Drug Administration advises

Findings

Disease Associated