Spatial analysis of pertussis cases in Harris County from 2005-2010

Objective: This study examined the recent trends and characteristics of reported pertussis in Harris County from 2005-2010. ^ Methods: The study population included surveillance data from all reported pertussis cases from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010 to Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES). We calculated incidence and attack rates for varying age groups, race/ethnicity, and gender. Spatial analyses were conducted of hot spot and cluster of incident cases in Harris County census tracts. Maps were constructed using geographic information system. ^ Results: Age-specific incidence rates of reported cases of pertussis were highest among infants under a year of age and lowest among adults age 20 and older. Hispanics represented the most cases reported compared to any other race or ethnic group (42% of 483 cases). Age-adjusted rates were highest in 2009 at 9.81 cases per 100,000 population. Only 31.2% of people received at least four of the recommended five doses of vaccine. Spatial analyses revealed statistically significant clusters within the northeast region of Harris County. ^ Conclusions: Hispanic infants are the most at risk group for pertussis. Although 70% of cases had a history of immunization, 41.8% of infants were appropriately vaccinated for their age. Increased vaccination coverage may decrease the incidence of pertussis.^

Burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in Harris County, Texas (2003--2010) and the implication for enhanced public health surveillance of isolates

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) causes significant health burden in the US, is responsible for the majority of bacterial meningitis, and causes more deaths than any other vaccine preventable bacterial disease in the US. The estimated National IPD rate is 14.3 cases per 100,000 population with a case-fatality rate of 1.5 cases per 100,000 population. Although cases of IPD are routinely reported to the local health department in Harris County Texas, the incidence (IR) and case-fatality (CFR) rates have not been reported. Additionally, it is important to know which serotypes of S. pneumoniae are circulating in Harris County Texas and to determine if ‘replacement disease’ is occurring. ^ This study reported incidence and case-fatality rates from 2003 to 2009, and described the trends in IPD, including the IPD serotypes circulating in Harris County Texas during the study period, particularly in 2008 and 2010. Annual incidence rates were calculated and reported for 2003 to 2009, using complete surveillance-year data. ^ Geographic information system (GIS) software was used to create a series of maps of the data reported during the study period. Cluster and outlier analysis and hot spot analysis were conducted using both case counts by census tract and disease rate by census tract. ^ IPD age- and race-adjusted IR for Harris County Texas and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.40 (95% CI 1.0, 1.8), 1.71 (95% CI 1.24, 2.17), 3.13 (95% CI 2.48, 3.78), 3.08 (95% CI 2.43, 3.74), 5.61 (95% CI 4.79, 6.43), 8.11 (95% CI 7.11, 9.1), and 7.65 (95% CI 6.69, 8.61) for the years 2003 to 2009, respectively (rates were age- and race-adjusted to each year's midyear US population estimates). A Poisson regression model demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend of about 32 percent per year in the IPD rates over the course of the study period. IPD age- and race-adjusted case-fatality rates (CFR) for Harris County Texas were also calculated and reported. A Poisson regression model demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend of about 26 percent per year in the IPD case-fatality rates from 2003 through 2009. A logistic regression model associated the risk of dying from IPD to alcohol abuse (OR 4.69, 95% CI 2.57, 8.56) and to meningitis (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.46, 4.03). ^ The prevalence of non-vaccine serotypes (NVT) among IPD cases with serotyped isolates was 98.2 percent. In 2008, the year with the sample more geographically representative of all areas of Harris County Texas, the prevalence was 96 percent. Given these findings, it is reasonable to conclude that ‘replacement disease’ is occurring in Harris County Texas, meaning that, the majority of IPD is caused by serotypes not included in the PCV7 vaccine. Also in conclusion, IPD rates increased during the study period in Harris County Texas.^

The Hospital Study of the City of Houston and Harris County

In 1941 the Texas Legislature appropriated $500,000 to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas to establish a cancer research hospital. The M. D. Anderson Foundation offered to match the appropriation with a grant of an equal sum and to provide a permanent site in Houston. In August, 1942 the Board of Regent of the University and the Trustees of the Foundation signed an agreement to embark on this project. This institution was to be the first one in the medical center, which was incorporated in October, 1945. The Board of Trustees of the Texas Medical Center commissioned a hospital survey to: - Define the needed hospital facilities in the area - Outline an integrated program to meet these needs - Define the facilities to be constructed - Prepare general recommendations for efficient progress The Hospital Study included information about population, hospitals, and other health care and education facilities in Houston and Harris County at that time. It included projected health care needs for future populations, education needs, and facility needs. It also included detailed information on needs for chronic illnesses, a school of public health, and nursing education. This study provides valuable information about the general population and the state of medicine in Houston and Harris County in the 1940s. It gives a unique perspective on the anticipated future as civic leaders looked forward in building the city and region. This document is critical to an understanding of the Texas Medical Center, Houston and medicine as they are today. SECTIONS INCLUDE: Abstract The Abstract was a summary of the 400 page document including general information about the survey area, community medical assets, and current and projected medical needs which the Texas Medical Center should meet. The 123 recommendations were both general (e.g., 12. “That in future planning, the present auxiliary department of the larger hospitals be considered inadequate to carry an added teaching research program of any sizable scope.”) and specific (e.g., 22. That 14.3% of the total acute bed requirement be allotted for obstetric care, reflecting a bed requirement of 522 by 1950, increasing to 1,173 by 1970.”) Section I: Survey Area This section basically addressed the first objective of the survey: “define the needed hospital facilities in the area.” Based on the admission statistics of hospitals, Harris County was included in the survey, with the recognition that growth from out-lying regional areas could occur. Population characteristics and vital statistics were included, with future trends discussed. Each of the hospitals in the area and government and private health organizations, such as the City-County Welfare Board, were documented. Statistics on the facilities use and capacity were given. Eighteen recommendations and observations on the survey area were given. Section II: Community Program This section basically addressed the second objective of the survey: “outline an integrated program to meet these needs.” The information from the Survey Area section formed the basis of the plans for development of the Texas Medical Center. In this section, specific needs, such as what medical specialties were needed, the location and general organization of a medical center, and the academic aspects were outlined. Seventy-four recommendations for these plans were provided. Section III: The Texas Medical Center The third and fourth objectives are addressed. The specific facilities were listed and recommendations were made. Section IV: Special Studies: Chronic Illness The five leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, “apoplexy”, nephritis, and tuberculosis) were identified and statistics for morbidity and mortality provided. Diagnostic, prevention and care needs were discussed. Recommendations on facilities and other solutions were made. Section IV: Special Studies: School of Public Health An overview of the state of schools of public health in the US was provided. Information on the direction and need of this special school was also provided. Recommendations on development and organization of the proposed school were made. Section IV: Special Studies: Needs and Education Facilities for Nurses Nursing education was connected with hospitals, but the changes to academic nursing programs were discussed. The needs for well-trained nurses in an expanded medical environment were anticipated to result in significant increased demands of these professionals. An overview of the current situation in the survey area and recommendations were provided. Appendix A Maps, tables and charts provide background and statistical information for the previous sections. Appendix B Detailed census data for specific areas of the survey area in the report were included. Sketches of each of the fifteen hospitals and five other health institutions showed historical information, accreditations, staff, available facilities (beds, x-ray, etc.), academic capabilities and financial information.

Dengue transmission risk maps of the continental United States

Dengue fever is a strictly human and non-human primate disease characterized by a high fever, thrombocytopenia, retro-orbital pain, and severe joint and muscle pain. Over 40% of the world population is at risk. Recent re-emergence of dengue outbreaks in Texas and Florida following the re-introduction of competent Aedes mosquito vectors in the United States have raised growing concerns about the potential for increased occurrences of dengue fever outbreaks throughout the southern United States. Current deficiencies in vector control, active surveillance and awareness among medical practitioners may contribute to a delay in recognizing and controlling a dengue virus outbreak. Previous studies have shown links between low-income census tracts, high population density, and dengue fever within the United States. Areas of low-income and high population density that correlate with the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes result in higher potential for outbreaks. In this retrospective ecologic study, nine maps were generated to model U.S. census tracts’ potential to sustain dengue virus transmission if the virus was introduced into the area. Variables in the model included presence of a competent vector in the county and census tract percent poverty and population density. Thirty states, 1,188 counties, and 34,705 census tracts were included in the analysis. Among counties with Aedes mosquito infestation, the census tracts were ranked high, medium, and low risk potential for sustained transmission of the virus. High risk census tracts were identified as areas having the vector, ≥20% poverty, and ≥500 persons per square mile. Census tracts with either ≥20% poverty or ≥500 persons per square mile and have the vector present are considered moderate risk. Census tracts that have the vector present but have <20% poverty and <500 persons per square mile are considered low risk. Furthermore, counties were characterized as moderate risk if 50% or more of the census tracts in that county were rated high or moderate risk, and high risk if 25% or greater were rated high risk. Extreme risk counties, which were primarily concentrated in Texas and Mississippi, were considered having 50% or greater of the census tracts ranked as high risk. Mapping of geographic areas with potential to sustain dengue virus transmission will support surveillance efforts and assist medical personnel in recognizing potential cases. ^

The ARKdb: genome databases for farmed and other animals

The ARKdb genome databases provide comprehensive public repositories for genome mapping data from farmed species and other animals (http://www.thearkdb.org) providing a resource similar in function to that offered by GDB or MGD for human or mouse genome mapping data, respectively. Because we have attempted to build a generic mapping database, the system has wide utility, particularly for those species for which development of a specific resource would be prohibitive. The ARKdb genome database model has been implemented for 10 species to date. These are pig, chicken, sheep, cattle, horse, deer, tilapia, cat, turkey and salmon. Access to the ARKdb databases is effected via the World Wide Web using the ARKdb browser and Anubis map viewer. The information stored includes details of loci, maps, experimental methods and the source references. Links to other information sources such as PubMed and EMBL/GenBank are provided. Responsibility for data entry and curation is shared amongst scientists active in genome research in the species of interest. Mirror sites in the United States are maintained in addition to the central genome server at Roslin.

Black maps/vivid waters : beauty and horror in David Maisel's The Lake Project and Terminal Mirage

"This paper examines The Lake Project and Terminal Mirage, the two components of David Maisel’s Black Maps series that concern water. Like the section of the Salt Lake chosen by Robert Smithson for his seminal Spiral Jetty, the alkaline waters Maisel photographs are subject to infestations of bacteria that that give them a visceral hue. Smithson provides a reference for this work; the artists are notable for their shared site, disorienting scale, and attraction to entropy"

County of Cornwall, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 1 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Cornwall, in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, under the direction of, Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 59, 60 & 61, & from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. This layer is image 1 of 4 total images of the four sheet source map, representing the southwest portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Cornwall, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 2 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Cornwall, in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, under the direction of, Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 59, 60 & 61, & from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. This layer is image 2 of 4 total images of the four sheet source map, representing the southeast portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Cornwall, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 3 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Cornwall, in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, under the direction of, Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 59, 60 & 61, & from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. This layer is image 3 of 4 total images of the four sheet source map, representing the northeast portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Cornwall, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 4 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Cornwall, in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, under the direction of, Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 59, 60 & 61, & from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. This layer is image 4 of 4 total images of the four sheet source map, representing the northwest portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Middlesex, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 1 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Middlesex in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, and under the direction of Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 60, & 61 and from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & most humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. The layer is image 1 of 4 total images of the four sheet map, representing the southeast portion of the map.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Middlesex, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 2 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Middlesex in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, and under the direction of Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 60, & 61 and from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & most humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. The layer is image 2 of 4 total images of the four sheet map, representing the southwest portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Middlesex, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 3 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Middlesex in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, and under the direction of Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 60, & 61 and from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & most humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. The layer is image 3 of 4 total images of the four sheet map, representing the northwest portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Middlesex, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 4 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Middlesex in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers, and under the direction of Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 60, & 61 and from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed by his lordship's most obedient & most humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:95,000]. The layer is image 4 of 4 total images of the four sheet map, representing the northeast portion of the map. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as towns, villages, and other human settlements, roads, parish boundaries, drainage, selected buildings and names of landowners, ground cover, shoreline features, shoals, channels, anchorage points, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

County of Surrey, Jamaica, 1763 (Image 1 of 4) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: This map of the county of Surry in the island of Jamaica; laid down from the papers and under the direction of Henry Moore, Esqr., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of that island, in the years 1756, 57, 58, 59, 60 & 61, & from a great number of actual surveys performed by the publishers is humbly inscribed, by his most obedient and humble servants, Thos. Craskell, engineer, Jas. Simpson, surveyor. It was published by D. Fournier in 1763. The layer is image 1 of 4 total images of the four sheet map, representing the northeast portion of the map. Scale ca. 1:100,000. Covers County of Surrey, Jamaica. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Jamaica Grid projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, cities and other human settlements, parish boundaries, shoreline features, plantations, and more. Includes also illustrations.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.