00            CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23(HSS)                                                             
01 Designating June 2012 as Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month.                                                    
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS congenital cytomegalovirus is the most common congenital infection in                                   
04 the United States; and                                                                                                  
05       WHEREAS one child in 150 children is born with congenital cytomegalovirus; and                                  
06       WHEREAS contraction of congenital cytomegalovirus at birth can lead to permanent                                
07 health conditions, including hearing and vision loss, mental disability, seizures, and, in rare                         
08 cases, death; and                                                                                                       
09       WHEREAS congenital cytomegalovirus is most dangerous for unborn babies whose                                    
10 mothers become infected with the disease during pregnancy and children or adults whose                                  
11 immune systems have been weakened by disease or drug treatment; and                                                     
12       WHEREAS, because pregnant women are the number one population at risk, the                                    
13 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control                                 
14 and Prevention recommend that obstetricians and gynecologists counsel women on basic                                    
15 prevention measures to guard against congenital cytomegalovirus infection; and                                          
16       WHEREAS congenital cytomegalovirus is preventable with behavioral interventions,                                

01 such as frequent hand washing with soap and water after contact with diapers or oral                                    
02 secretions, not kissing young children on the mouth, and not sharing food, towels, or utensils                          
03 with young children; and                                                                                                
04       WHEREAS congenital cytomegalovirus is transmitted through bodily fluids,                                        
05 including urine, saliva, blood, mucus, and tears; and                                                                   
06       WHEREAS the incidence of children born with congenital cytomegalovirus can be                                   
07 greatly reduced with public education and awareness;                                                                    
08       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature designates June 2012 as                                        
09 Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month.