Bioterrorism-related anthrax surveillance, Connecticut, September-December, 2001.
On November 19, 2001, a case of inhalational anthrax was identified in a 94-year-old Connecticut woman, who later died. We conducted intensive surveillance for additional anthrax cases, which included collecting data from hospitals, emergency departments, private practitioners, death certificates, postal facilities, veterinarians, and the state medical examiner. No additional cases of anthrax were identified. The absence of additional anthrax cases argued against an intentional environmental release of Bacillus anthracis in Connecticut and suggested that, if the source of anthrax had been cross-contaminated mail, the risk for anthrax in this setting was very low. This surveillance system provides a model that can be adapted for use in similar emergency settings.
Williams
Alcia A
AA
Centers for Desease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Parashar
Umesh D
UD
Stoica
Adrian
A
Ridzon
Renee
R
Kirschke
David L
DL
Meyer
Richard F
RF
McClellan
Jennifer
J
Fischer
Marc
M
Nelson
Randy
R
Cartter
Matt
M
Hadler
James L
JL
Jernigan
John A
JA
Mast
Eric E
EE
Swerdlow
David L
DL
D000041:Absenteeism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners; D003625:Data Collection; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011177:Postal Service; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D018634:Veterinarians