The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) maintains a collection of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which collects and analyzes data from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on epidemiology and public health. Each issue of the MMWR is packed with raw and analyzed public health data and scientific studies from some of the top minds in the United States. Below we highlight some of the most current and informative studies included in their weekly reports. 

Here are some important articles you may have missed from Volume 73, Issues 15-18 of the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series. 

May 9, 2024 / No. 18

Featured Article:

“Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Illness Outbreak Associated with Untreated, Pressurized, Municipal Irrigation Water — Utah, 2023”

This report discusses an e-coli outbreak in children who played in and/or drank municipal irrigation water, unaware of the risks involved. “Seven children were hospitalized, including two with hemolytic uremic syndrome.” Read the report to gain further insight on how these incidents occur and how to prevent this from happening in your household.

May 2, 2024 / No. 17

Featured Article:

“Notes from the Field: Increase in Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae — Washington, 2018–2023”

While some diptheria strains have preventative vaccines, nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae infections are not preventable via vaccination. This study in the Washington area indicates that infections are on the rise. The report discusses potential risk factors and suggests further studies are needed in order to “implement strategies for reducing community spread of C. diphtheriae.”

April 25, 2024 / No. 16

Featured Article:

“SARS-CoV-2 Viral Shedding and Rapid Antigen Test Performance — Respiratory Virus Transmission Network, November 2022–May 2023”

This study was done to evaluate the sensitivity and effectiveness of rapid antigen testing. The findings suggest that “among persons infected with SARS-CoV-2, sensitivity of rapid antigen tests was 47% compared with RT-PCR [reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction] and 80% compared with viral culture.”

April 18, 2024 / No. 15

Featured Article:

“Use of the Pfizer Pentavalent Meningococcal Vaccine Among Persons Aged ≥10 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ― United States, 2023”

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices supports the use of a new meningococcal vaccine by Pfizer (MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp) licensed in October of 2023. This report provides clarity on recommended use (dosing and timing) and also releases data on the vaccine trials.

For more information on COVID, visit HSDL’s COVID-19 Resource Archive. You can also find pandemic-related resources in HSDL’s Focus on Pandemics and Epidemics, and search our statistical resources related to public health.