October 31, 2001/6:00 PM, ET
Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Press Release

CDC Update for Ongoing Anthrax Investigations

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.

Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, Director, CDC, provides information about anthrax . Topics include: risk of anthrax exposure, antibiotics, anthrax symptoms, suspicious mail, and CDC's role in the investigation. Both the video and transcript are available online at www.cdc.gov/spanish/bt/default.htm.

There are many things you can do to help ensure that your child has a safe and happy Halloween. The FDA has put together a list of recommendations that may reduce risks associated with the tampering of food and candy. These recommendations can be found online at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/candyandtreats.html. CDC also provides many useful tips for other areas of Halloween safety at www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/choking.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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