SCR 23-CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS MONTH  1:35:17 PM CHAIR DAVIS announced that the first bill before the committee would be SCR 23, which would designate June 2012 as Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month. SENATOR EGAN stated that SCR 23, version A, was the bill before the committee. AMY SALTZMAN, staff to Senator Lisle McGuire, presented SCR 23 on behalf of the sponsor. She read from the following sponsor statement: The issue of Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was brought to Senator McGuire by one of her constituents. CMV is a common and serious congenital infection in the United States with 1 in every 50 children born with congenital CMV. Contraction of the disease at birth can lead to permanent health conditions, including cerebral palsy, hearing and vision loss, mental disability, ADHD, autism, and seizures, and in rare cases, death. CMV is most dangerous for unborn babies whose mothers become infected with the disease during pregnancy and children or adults whose immune systems have been weakened by disease or drug treatment. With pregnant woman as the number one population at risk, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that OB/GYN's counsel women on basic prevention measures to guard against CMV infection. In a 2008 study, it showed that only 14 percent of women in the United States have ever heard of CMV. CMV is 100 percent preventable with behavioral interventions, such as frequent hand washing with soap and water after contact with diapers or oral secretions, not kissing young children on the mouth, and not sharing food, towels, or utensils with young children. CMV is found in bodily fluids, including urine, saliva, blood, mucus, and tears. The incidence of children born with congenital CMV can be greatly reduced with public education and awareness. In 2011, June was designated as National Congenital CMV Awareness Month. This concurrent resolution would support that concept and bring awareness to the horrible effect CMV can have on Alaskan children. 1:37:36 PM CHAIR DAVIS opened public testimony. KAREN GILLIS, speaking on her own behalf, testified in support of SCR 23. She shared a personal experience of having a child with CMV. She related that many parents do not know about CMV or how to avoid contracting it during pregnancy. CMV is the leading cause of birth defects in the United States. She shared statistics about the numbers of children affected by CMV. MS. GILLIS spoke of the expense of raising CMV children. She spoke of her role as an advocate of Stop CMV. She continued to share facts related to CMV and suggested solutions, such as a vaccine. She concluded that her goal was to reduce the cost and suffering from CMV and prevent CMV in others. 1:48:14 PM SENATOR DYSON thanked Ms. Gillis for her work. He asked if there was any way to detect if a would-be mother is carrying CMV before she becomes pregnant. MS. GILLIS replied that a woman can be tested for CMV antibodies before and during pregnancy. She explained that CMV is similar to chickenpox, except that there are four strains or levels of CMV. If a person has ever had CMV, there are antibodies present in their system. If a person has contracted one strain of CMV, there is still a risk of contracting the other strains. She related that there are in utero treatments, as well as treatments after birth, both of which can reduce the amount of virus in the baby's system. 1:51:11 PM SENATOR DYSON asked if a pre-pregnant woman is tested and is found to have the virus, whether there is a treatment which would rid of her of the virus. MS. GILLIS replied that after a woman builds up antibodies to the virus, she will always have those antibodies in her system. If she contracts the most common strain of CMV during her pregnancy, she already has antibodies to protect the unborn child. She related that, in her case, she did not have the antibodies because she had not contracted CMV prior to pregnancy. She said she contracted CMV during her first trimester, which is a very critical time of brain development for the child. She shared that her child shows a lot of damage as a result. SENATOR DYSON restated the question to ask if a would-be mother identified with CMV, with or without the antibodies, can be cured of the virus. MS. GILLIS replied if the woman has active CMV, and her tests show she carries antibodies, her child will not be affected by the virus; however, the child will be born with CMV. SENATOR DYSON asked if a woman's immunity can be increased before or during pregnancy. MS. GILLIS noted that her organization does not want to see all women tested for CMV. She explained that it is most important to understand if there is an active infection. SENATOR DYSON said he was surprised at the suggestion that women not be tested. He asked for data about how the virus is contracted. MS. GILLIS replied that the highest risk group for CMV is pregnant women who have not previously contracted the virus and who work in day care centers or have children who are in day care. 1:56:17 PM CHAIR DAVIS closed public testimony. CHAIR DAVIS moved to adopt Amendment 1. A M E N D M E N T 1    27-LS1334\A.2 OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR MCGUIRE TO: SCR 23 Page 1, line 1: Delete "March" Insert "June" Page 2, line 8 Delete "March" Insert "June" CHAIR DAVIS announced that without objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. SENATOR DYSON suggested having the Division of Public Health answer questions about CMV and what Alaska should be doing for prevention and publishing that information. He also suggested finding out what other states do. CHAIR DAVIS agreed. SENATOR EGAN moved to report SCR 23, version A as amended, with individual recommendations and no fiscal note. There being no objection, CSSCR 23(HSS) was reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Committee.