A recent review of randomized clinical trial data for the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications, and two related commentaries, raised questions about the value of antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza. On February 7, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted a "Have You Heard?" piece in response. The CDC response states "After careful consideration of all available evidence, CDC guidance on the use of antiviral medications remains unchanged." CDC continues to recommend the use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir) as an important adjunct in the prevention and treatment of influenza.

The United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases in 2011, many of which were acquired during international travel. From January 1 through June 17 this year, 156 confirmed cases of measles were reported to CDC. This is the highest reported number since 1996. Most cases (136) were associated with importations from measles-endemic countries or countries where large outbreaks are occurring.

CDC is monitoring a large outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 (STEC O104:H4) infections ongoing in Germany.

NOTE TO READERS: This advisory is an FDA notice that is being distributed via CDC’s Health Alert Network. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that parents, caregivers, and health care providers should not feed the thickening product called SimplyThick to infants born before 37 weeks gestation because it may cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue.

As a result of the incident with the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, highly sensitive radiation monitors operated by EPA and others are detecting very low levels of radioactive material in the air in the United States. These levels were expected and consistent with estimated releases from the damaged nuclear reactors and are far below levels of public health concern.

With the continuing resurgence of pertussis, health care professionals will likely see more patients with suspected pertussis. Proper testing criteria, timing of testing, specimen collection techniques, protocols for avoiding specimen contamination, and appropriate interpretation of test results are all necessary to ensure that Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) reliably informs patient diagnosis.

As influenza activity increases in the United States, clinicians are urged to consult CDC guidance on the use of influenza antiviral agents and rapid influenza diagnostic tests this season. Updated recommendations on the use of antiviral medications will be published in an upcoming Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), but an interim version of the recommendations is currently available on CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/index.htm.