Download MMWR in Review: CDC report summarizes data on nationally

MMWR in Review, Infectious Diseases
MMWR in Review: CDC report summarizes data on nationally notifiable
infectious diseases
by Amelia B. Thompson M.D., M.P.H., FAAP; Larry K. Pickering M.D., FIDSA, FAAP
Editor's note: This article summarizes key points from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
report published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The Introduction and Comment sections
may include information that did not appear in the original publication. To subscribe to MMWR,
visit www.cdc.gov/MMWR.
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"Summary of Notifiable Diseases and Conditions - United States, 2014," MMWR. 2016 (in press). Early
release tables can be found at MMWR. 2015;64:1019-1033, http://1.usa.gov/1UmuE0Y.
Introduction
The Summary of Notifiable Diseases and Conditions - United States, 2014 contains the official statistics for the
reported occurrence of nationally notifiable infectious diseases and conditions. For 2014, approximately 80
infectious diseases required reporting in the United States.
The list of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions is revised periodically. A disease or condition might be
added when a new pathogen emerges and removed as a disease incidence declines. Current and past national
public health surveillance case definitions are available at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/nndss/conditions.
Background and study results
Statistics in this report are collected and compiled from reports submitted by state, territory, New York City and
District of Columbia health departments to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS), which
is operated by the CDC in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
Summaries of reports from past years can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_nd/index.html.
Year 2016 data are updated in the weekly MMWR reports. Data in the NNDSS include the number of cases
reported to the CDC, incidence data, geographic location and patient demographic characteristics (e.g., age,
gender, race and ethnicity).
Tables, graphs and maps depict summary data for selected notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, which
are presented in tabular form. For example, the figure shows rates of reported chlamydia cases by state, United
States and outlying areas, 2014.
For 2014, the five most frequently reported infectious diseases in order of decreasing frequency were Chlamydia
trachomatis, gonorrhea, salmonella, Lyme disease and pertussis. The chart below from the CDC shows the
rates of reported chlamydia cases by state, for the U.S. and outlying areas in 2014.
Copyright © 2016, The American Academy of Pediatrics
MMWR in Review, Infectious Diseases
Public health and clinical implications
A notifiable infectious disease is one for which regular, frequent and timely information regarding individual
cases is considered necessary for prevention and control of the disease. This surveillance system allows public
health authorities to detect sudden changes in disease occurrence and distribution, recognize changes in agents
and hosts and host factors, and identify changes in health care practices. Appendix IV in the 2015 Red Book
provides more information about NNDSS (see http://bit.ly/1nujddx). In addition, the Red Book contains updates
on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of each of the nationally notifiable
diseases.
Comment
Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories and others are required to provide information on reportable
diseases and conditions to public health authorities or their agents. Reporting at the local level protects the
health of people by ensuring proper identification and follow-up of cases; facilitating appropriate treatment of
those already ill; contact tracing of those who need vaccines, treatment, quarantine or education; outbreak
investigation; elimination of environmental hazards; and closure of premises where transmission is occurring.
In addition, surveillance monitors disease trends, assesses effectiveness of control and prevention measures,
identifies populations or geographic areas at high risk, and allows formulation of prevention strategies and
health policies.
Dr. Thompson is a member of the AAP Section on Infectious Diseases and Section on Medical Students,
Residents and Fellowship Trainees. She is a post-graduate training fellow in pediatric infectious diseases at
Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Dr. Pickering was editor of the AAP Red Book from 2000-'12.
He is adjunct professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine.
Question
Copyright © 2016, The American Academy of Pediatrics
MMWR in Review, Infectious Diseases
In 2014, what was the most common nationally notifiable infectious disease in the United States?
A. Chlamydia trachomati
B. gonorrhea
C. salmonella
D. Lyme disease
E. pertussis
Answer: A
Copyright © 2016, The American Academy of Pediatrics