Travel Medicine Advisor Archives – April 1, 2003
April 1, 2003
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Since late February 2003, the CDC and WHO have been investigating a multicountry outbreak of an atypical pneumonia manifested by an illness referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). These initial reports in MMWR describe the scope of the outbreak, case definition, and interim infection control guidance for the United States. -
W135 Meningococcal Disease: A New Vaccine for Africa
Repeated injections of a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody markedly decreased the sensitivity of peanut-allergic patients to subsequent peanut exposure. Since fatal anaphylaxis to peanuts can occur following inadvertent ingestion of small amounts of peanut antigen, this treatment might be very useful for peanut-allergic travelers who will be exposed to foods of uncertain purity. -
Peanuts, Allergy, and Travel
Repeated injections of a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody markedly decreased the sensitivity of peanut-allergic patients to subsequent peanut exposure. Since fatal anaphylaxis to peanuts can occur following inadvertent ingestion of small amounts of peanut antigen, this treatment might be very useful for peanut-allergic travelers who will be exposed to foods of uncertain purity. -
Quinolone Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni
Overall, quinolone resistance among isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from returned Finnish travelers increased during a 5-year period. The countries at highest risk for quinolone resistance are Thailand, India, and China. These findings indicate a need to reconsider the choice of antibiotics for self-treatment of travelers diarrhea in some countries.