The occupational risk of cytomegalovirus infection among day-care providers

Article Abstract:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a herpes virus, is the most common cause of congenital viral infection, infecting up to 2 percent of all newborns, 10 percent of whom will develop impairment of vision, hearing, or intelligence. Transmission of the virus in group child care centers is common, and most children do not even have symptoms of infection. Women who work in day-care settings are usually of childbearing age, and there is a high turnover, thus many young women are exposed to CMV. Parents who have children in day-care are also at risk of CMV infection. In day-care settings, CMV is most common among toddlers, who are very mobile, but often not yet toilet trained. In this study, 252 adult caretakers at six day-care centers, and 219 children at three of the centers were tested. The goal was to assess the risk of CMV transmission among adult day-care providers, and the risk factors associated with it. The transmission rates varied from 9 percent to 22 percent among the centers, and were higher at centers with greater total CMV excretion and greater CMV acquisition among children. Transmission rates may be related to the age of the children, hygienic practices, and perhaps differences among the CMV strains. When hygiene was studied, the center with the best hygiene had the lowest rate of transmission, and the center with poorest compliance had the highest transmission. The recommendation is that day-care personnel should be educated about environmental and personal hygiene. Additional studies will address the effectiveness of this strategy in reducing CMV transmission. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Disease transmission, Cytomegaloviruses, Cytomegalovirus

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Cytomegalovirus Transmission in Child Care Homes

Article Abstract:

One-fifth of children cared for at child care homes have been exposed to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a possible source of infection for other children and their parents. CMV infection is relatively benign and common, but it can cause neurological defects in the offspring of women infected in pregnancy. Researchers tested children at 25 homes operating as day-care facilities and found that 20% of the children and 56% of the providers tested positive for the viral infection, and 8% of children were excreting the virus in their urine. CMV infection may be less common in child care homes than in larger child care centers.

United States, Demographic aspects

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Haemophilus influenzae Invasive Disease Among Children Aged <5 Years -- California, 1990-1996

Article Abstract:

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections in California children fell dramatically from 1990 to 1996, after an Hib vaccine was introduced. Hib infections can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and infectious arthritis. Invasive Hib disease in children under 5 years dropped 95% nationwide from 1989 to 1995, and dropped 99% in California from 1990 to 1996. The type b viral serotype caused 58% of infections in California. Continued surveillance of both infection rates and the viral types causing infection will allow more accurate evaluation of vaccination programs.

California, Evaluation, Hemophilus infections, Hib vaccines, Hemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae

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