November 2, 2001/6:00 PM, ET
Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Press Release

CDC Update: Current Case Count and Transcript Available On-Line

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.

The transcript for the November 2, 2001, "Anthrax Telebriefing" with Dr. Brad Perkins is online at www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/t011102.htm.

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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