November 1, 2001/12:00 PM, ET
Contact: CDC Media Relations
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Press Release

CDC Update: Current case count, MMWR anthrax updates, Transcript available

CDC confirmed cases of anthrax

Summary of Local, State, and Federal Confirmed Human Cases and Exposures

There have been 4 deaths associated with inhalational anthrax.

CDC confirmed cases are based on a rigorous case definition which was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on October 19, 2001.  The MMWR is available on-line at:  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a1.htm. 

CDC defines a confirmed case of anthrax as 1) a clinically compatible case of cutaneous, inhalational, or gastrointestinal illness that is laboratory confirmed by isolation of B. anthracis from an affected tissue or site or 2) other laboratory evidence of B. anthracis infection based on at least two supportive laboratory tests.  CDC defines a suspect case as 1) a clinically compatible case of illness without isolation of B. anthracis and no alternative diagnosis, but with laboratory evidence of B. anthracis by one supportive laboratory test or 2) a clinically compatible case of anthrax epidemiologically linked to a confirmed environmental exposure, but without corroborative laboratory evidence of B. anthracis infection.

MMWR 11-2-01: Update on Anthrax Investigations

This week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report includes the article: “Update: Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax and Interim Guidelines for Clinical Evaluation of Persons with Possible Anthrax .”  This week’s issue also includes Notices to Readers regarding, “Updated Recommendations for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Among Asymptomatic Pregnant Women After Exposure to Bacillus anthracis” and “Interim Recommendations for Protecting Workers from Exposure to Bacillus anthracis in Work Sites

in which Mail is Handled or Processed.”  The MMWR is available online at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.

MMWR Anthrax website

All MMWR articles related to anthrax and bioterrorism are now archived at one location.  The web address is http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/indexbt.html.

Transcript Available

For the latest update on CDC activities and on-going anthrax investigations visit www.bt.cdc.gov/ or www.cdc.gov/media/.

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