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 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

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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.

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.

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.

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

No summary available.

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