311

Vol . 34 / No 15 . MMWR .

213 Tomado Disaster - Continued Possible factors in this decrease are : more effective early warning systems , better public edu cation and preparedness , and improved emergency medical services during disasters . Further epidemiológic studies are needed to evaluate to what extent these factors contribute to the continued decline in deaths and injuries from tornadoes . Reference 1 . Glass RI , Craven RB , Bregman DJ , et al . Injuries from the Wichita Falls tornado : implication for preven

tion . Science 1980 : 207 : 734 - 8 .

Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Injuries Associated with Three - Wheel All - Terrain Vehicles Alaska

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

MMWR

IV OC

T

From January 1983 through December 1984 , at least 20 deaths and 538 injuries , including six persons permanently disabled by neurologic injuries , were associated with three - wheel all terrain vehicles ( ~ 3 - wheelers or ATVs ) in Alaska . These preliminary data came from an ongo ing statewide study conducted by the Alaska Division of Public Health with the assistance of CDC . Of the 20 fatalities , 11 ( 55 % ) occurred among males . Ages at death ranged from 12 years to 53 years ; - 15 ( 75 % ) were in the 15 - to 34 - year age group . Eleven ( 55 % ) deaths oc curred during a 3 - month period in 1983 ( Figure 2 ) . No similar cluster was observed in 1984 . All

but three fatal incidents occurred in the south - central and southwestern portions of Alaska . : . Ten persons ( 50 % ) died as a result of direct impact to the head ( Table 2 ) ; only two wore pro

tective helmets when the incidents occurred . Four others not wearing helmets - two of three persons who drowned and two who died of asphyxiation - died following presumed loss of consciousness . Nineteen persons who died were operating the vehicle ; in one instance , both the driver and his passenger were killed . . 3 . Blood alcohol was measured in 11 individuals who survived less than 4 hours following

injury . In eight individuals , the blood alcohol concentration ( BAC ) exceeded 0 . 1 g % , the level : of intoxication . Two others had blood alcohol detected at levels below 0 . 1 g % . Only one

person had no blood alcohol detected . Five person ' s died 4 or more hours following injury , so · BAC obtained at autopsy may not reflect accurately the BAC at the time of the incident . Blood

alcohol was not measured for four persons .

FIGURE 2 . Fatalities associated with all - terrain vehicles , by month and year Alaska , . : 1983 - 1984

Mlinois

States , Past 4 Weeks 216 Reported Measles Cases - United

Type b Disease 215 Update : Milk - bome Salmonellosis -

AU - Terrain Vehicles - Alaska

vies Associated with Three - Wheel South Carolina , March 28 , 1984 Tornado Disaster North Carolina ,

Prevention of Haemophilus influenzae 201 ACIP : Polysaccharide Vacaine for

April 19 , 1985 / Vol . 34 / No . 15

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