MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

News Summary for August 11, 2011

1. Characteristics Associated with HIV Infection Among Heterosexuals in Urban Areas with High AIDS Prevalence — 24 Cities, United States, 2006—2007

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Team
(404) 639-8895

A CDC analysis found that two percent of low-income heterosexuals from 24 cities with high AIDS prevalence in the United States are infected with HIV. This infection rate is 10 to 20 times greater than that in the general U.S. population. The analysis from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) shows that low socioeconomic status (SES) is a key factor associated with HIV infection among inner-city heterosexuals. HIV prevalence was higher among those with low SES based on income, education, or employment. This relationship between HIV prevalence and SES could not be attributed to factors commonly associated with HIV infection risk in heterosexuals, such as using crack cocaine, having an exchange sex partner, or being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. Preliminary results were previously presented at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria in July of 2010. Contrary to severe racial disparities that characterize the overall U.S. epidemic, researchers found no differences in HIV prevalence by race/ethnicity in this population. Based on the strong association observed between HIV prevalence and SES, HIV prevention activities aimed at heterosexuals should focus on the residents of low-income communities.

2. Human Rabies from Exposure to a Vampire Bat in Mexico — Louisiana, 2010

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

Rabies virus causes an acute progressive viral encephalitis that is almost always fatal if postexposure prophylaxis is not administered before the onset of signs or symptoms. In August 2010, a 19-year-old man died of rabies in Louisiana after being bitten by a vampire bat in his home in Michoacán, Mexico. Although bats have become the primary source of human rabies in the United States, this case represents the first reported human death from a vampire bat rabies virus variant in the United States. Public health officials should increase awareness of the risk for rabies after bat and other wildlife exposures. Furthermore, clinicians caring for patients with acute progressive encephalitis should consider rabies in the differential diagnosis and institute early infection control measures. 

3. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Nigeria, January 2010—June 2011

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

This report updates the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) progress in Nigeria during January 2010—June 2011 and describes activities required to interrupt poliovirus transmission. The GPEI was launched in 1988. By 2006, transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) was interrupted in all countries but Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. In Nigeria, transmission of WPV has persisted in eight northern states (Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara); in addition, four other northern states (Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Niger) are at high risk of WPV transmission. In these 12 high-risk states, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) type 2 transmission was also observed during 2005–2011. From 2009 to 2010 confirmed WPV cases fell 95 percent from 388 cases to 21 and cVDPV2 cases declined 82 percent from 154 in 2009 to 27. However, as of July 26, 2011, Nigeria has more WPV and VPDV cases during January–June 2011, compared with January–June 2010. This increase in cases indicates that immunization and surveillance activities will need to be enhanced further to interrupt WPV transmission in Nigeria by the end of 2011. Substantial efforts are needed in Nigeria, especially the northern states, if the country is going to meet the GPEI milestone of interrupting polio transmission by the end of 2011.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES