Polonium-210 poisoning in London: hypochondriasis and public health.
BACKGROUND
In November 2006, a Russian dissident died from radioactive Polonium-210 (210Po) poisoning in London. Providing reassuring messages during a public health incident may be ineffective for individuals with high health anxiety (hypochondriasis).


METHODS
Members of the public who called a 24-hour telephone helpline were offered a follow-up call by a health protection specialist for reassurance. A psychiatrist attempted to contact those callers who were unable to be reassured by the health protection specialist.


RESULTS
Of 872 individuals contacted for reassurance, seven (0.6%) could not be reassured. The psychiatrist contacted four of these individuals. Three had a history of health-related anxiety and two attributed somatic symptoms to 210Po exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
For individuals with hypochondriasis, reassurance during major public health incidents may be ineffective. Having a psychiatrist available was helpful in managing individuals with excessive health anxiety.
Morgan
Oliver W
OW
East of England Regional Epidemiology Unit, Health Protection Agency, London, UK. omorgan@bigfoot.com
Page
Lisa
L
Forrester
Sarah
S
Maguire
Helen
H
D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007046:Hysteria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D011059:Polonium / Q000506:poisoning*; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors
D011059:Polonium