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Div. of Media Relations
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(404) 639-3286
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MMWR
Synopsis for October 3, 2003

The MMWR is embargoed until NOON ET, Thursdays.

  1. Cardiac Deaths After a Mass Smallpox Vaccination Campaign — New York City, 1947
  2. Follow-Up of Deaths Among U.S. Postal Service Workers Potentially Exposed to Bacillus anthracis — District of Columbia, 2001
  3. Recognition of Illness Associated with Exposure to Chemical Agents
  4. West Nile Virus Activity — United States, September 25–October 1, 2003
MMWR Telebriefing for Thursday, October 2, 2003
WHO: Dr. Sue Binder, CDC’s Injury Program
Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, Task Force on Community Prevention Services (Note: Dr. Fielding will be available by phone to answer questions about the recommendations).
WHAT: Report on an evaluation of the effectiveness of firearm laws and the identification of strategies for preventing child maltreatment from the Task Force on Community Prevention Services.
WHEN: Thursday, October 2, 2003
Noon, ET

Brief remarks followed by Q/A.
WHERE: CDC
1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta
Building 16, enter via Clifton Way parking deck

Parking is available in the Building 16 parking deck located on Clifton Way. Media should arrive at Building 16 entrance by 11:30 p.m. Media must present photo ID for access.

Media who cannot attend in person, can listen and ask questions by toll-free conference line. The briefing will begin promptly; media should dial in a few minutes before the start of the conference.

Teleconference name: CDC

U.S. Media Dial 1–888–795–0855

Important Instructions: If you would like to ask a question during the call press *1 on your touchtone phone, and to withdraw your question press *2. You may queue up at anytime. You will hear a tone to indicate your question is pending.

This briefing will also be audio webcast. To listen LIVE online and to view the press briefing graphics visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/media. A full transcript of this teleconference will also be available at the CDC web site following the press briefing.

MMWR Reports and Recommendations
October 3, 2003/Vol. 52/RR–14

First Reports Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing Violence: Early Childhood Home Visitation. Findings from the Task Force on Community Preventive Services

Contact: Office of Communications
CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
(770) 488–4902


Synopsis for October 3, 2003

Cardiac Deaths After a Mass Smallpox Vaccination Campaign — New York City, 1947

A review of death records by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) shows no evidence that smallpox vaccine causes an increase in cardiac-related deaths.

PRESS CONTACT:
Sandra Mullin

New York City Department of Health
(212) 788–5290
 

Over the course of a three-week period during April and May 1947, during a smallpox outbreak in New York City (NYC), more than 6,000,000 New Yorkers were vaccinated in a four-week period using the same smallpox vaccine strain used today. To determine whether smallpox vaccination increased risk of cardiac death, researchers at the NYC DOHMH reviewed NYC death certificates dated March to June for 1946, 1947, and 1948 (n=81,529). No increases in cardiac deaths, atherosclerotic deaths, or all-cause deaths were observed, when more than 80% of the NYC population was vaccinated. This suggests that cardiac deaths observed in 2003 vaccine recipients may be unrelated to smallpox vaccination.

 

Follow-Up of Deaths Among U.S. Postal Service Workers Potentially Exposed to Bacillus anthracis — District of Columbia, 2001

The findings indicate that he rates and causes of death among the USPS employees during the 12 months following the anthrax attacks were not different from those expected or unusual.

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

Office of Communication
(404) 639–3286
 

CDC, in collaboration with state and local health departments in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, conducted a year long investigation to evaluate the deaths of 11 United States Postal Service (USPS) workers who may have been exposed to Bacillus anthracis spores. The deaths of 11 USPS Brentwood employees raised questions about whether mortality was unusually high among Brentwood employees following the deaths of two postal workers infected by anthrax contaminated letters that were processed at the facility in October 2001. The study, conducted from October 12, 2001 to October 11, 2002, involved analyzing death certificate data of the employees and found no unusual rates or causes of death among these postal workers. Also, their deaths could not be attributed to an adverse drug reaction to the post-exposure prophylaxis recommended to approximately 10,000 persons potentially exposed to anthrax.

 

Recognition of Illness Associated with Exposure to Chemical Agents

Familiarity with the characteristics of deliberate chemical contamination of food, water, or a consumer product could improve recognition of these events and may reduce further morbidity and mortality.

PRESS CONTACT:
Martin Belson, MD

CDC, National Center for Environmental Health
(404) 498–1368
 

Since September 11, 2001, there has been an increased concern for potential terrorism through the use of chemical agents. Health-care providers cannot be expected to know about all possible chemical agents because they are so numerous and widespread. Rather, their ability to recognize specific syndromes (a constellation of clinical signs and symptoms) associated with groups of agents may be more pragmatic, feasible, and effective. In an effort to increase knowledge of surveillance and preparedness for illness related to potential chemical exposure, CDC/ATSDR developed examples of chemical-induced illness and guidance for health-care providers and public health personnel for recognizing illnesses or patterns of illnesses that might be associated with the deliberate release of chemical agents.

 

West Nile Virus Activity — United States,
September 25–October 1, 2003

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 639-3286
 

No summary available.

 

 

 

 


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This page last reviewed October 2, 2003
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/mmwrnews/n031003.htm

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