My response from CDC RE: Tularemia

[mod mom]

Sounds like a form response to me. BTW still awaiting the results (1 week later-my son is doing much better but still has congestion). I believe this was handled very poorly and indicates that the coordination between the D of HS and CDC is lacking:


Thank you for your inquiry to CDC-INFO. In response to your request for information on recent reports of tularemia in Washington, D.C., we are pleased to provide you with the following relevant information.

State and local officials, along with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are investigating the source of indications of low levels of a bacterium (germ) that causes tularemia in Washington, D.C. There is nothing to indicate an intentional release of the organism but the investigation is continuing to see if a naturally occurring explanation for the sensor detection can be identified.

The positive indications were found in BioWatch collectors near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on September 24 and 25, 2005. Since then, additional tests from these collectors have all been negative. Public health officials do not believe the finding of low levels of the bacterium near the National Mall represents a public health threat. Tularemia is found naturally in the environment, and health officials are doing additional environmental sampling as well as reviewing other possible causes of the positive reading.

As a precaution, CDC and public health officials are alerting the medical community to be on the lookout for possible cases of Tularemia. No cases of tularemia have been discovered or reported to date.

Although tularemia can have serious health effects, including pneumonia; it is treatable with antibiotics. Tularemia is not known to spread from person to person. CDC and public health officials are recommending that anyone who visited areas around the National Mall between 10 a.m. Saturday, September 24 and 10 a.m. Sunday, September 25 see a health care provider IF they experience symptoms related to tularemia, which include:
Sudden fever
Chills
Headaches
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Dry cough
Conjunctivitis
Pneumonia

Treatment with antibiotics for a period of 10-14 days or more after exposure may be recommended. If you are given antibiotics, it is important to take them according to the instructions you receive. All of the medication you are given must be taken.

People who traveled near the National Mall during this time do NOT need to seek out medical attention if they do not develop symptoms of tularemia.

More information about tularemia is available on the CDC web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_tularemia.htm

Thank you for contacting the CDC-INFO Contact Center. Please do not hesitate to call 1-800-CDC-INFO, e-mail [e-mail], or visit www.cdc.gov if you have any additional questions.

CDC-INFO is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

3






-----Original Message-----

From:
Sent: 10/4/2005 01:53:14 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Tularemia in DC on Sept 24

My family took our young children to Washington DC during the weekend
of September 24-25. We took the children to see the Washington
monument, and other sites around the mall. Last weekend my 9 y. o. son
became ill with congestion, fever, headache, blisters within his mouth,
and body aches. Since I was made aware of the information below, I
took him to his pediatrician and made him aware that we were possibly
subjected to tularemia. He ordered a blood serum test for tularemia
which was preformed through Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. I
called today to inquire about the results and was told that the results
would not be available until some time next week. The doctor called me
and told me that Childrens Hospital staff were not concerned because
the only sites carrying this information were "conspiracy theory
sites". I told him I read it in the Washington Post and that I knew
ABC and NBC sites had also carried it. I attached snip-its with links
below to demonstrate my sources.

As a mother I am alarmed by how this was handled by Childrens Hospital. I hope the CDC can clear up this information and perhaps have a
location on their site to provide information to the general public
regarding pertinent information, such as potential bio-terrorism
releases. Although I realize small quantities were detected on 3
different filters around the mall, who is to say that perhaps larger
quantities were not present within other areas of the mall.

Sincerely,

[don954]

1. the blood serum test was negitive?

great, looks like it was another scare the peeps maneuver...

[mod mom]

2. No, we still haven't gotten the results back 1 week later. In case of a

real emergency: delayed announcement + delayed test results = disaster!

[Lerkfish]

3. Curious how they have already determined it wasn't "intentional"

Not meaning to distress you since I know this is a distressing time for you, mod mom


but

If it was present, I mean, is there really any way to determine that it was not intentional at this point?

In fact, indications lean more towards intentional than not, since it was not naturally occurring in that location, and the sensors only had the anamoly during the march.

I worry that whenever the govt. IMMEDIATELY tells you it wasn't terrorism, BEFORE they investigate....

good thoughts to you and your family.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. The Children's Hospital wasn't "concerned" because

the ONLY sites carrying this info are "conspiracy theory" sites???^%$#@ Did Children's Hospital bother to call CDC to get their input? CDC is aware of what was found! That remark passed on by your doctor is unethical! HIS obligation, as a DOCTOR, is to run the needed tests and give you the results. PERIOD. What an ass. They insinuated that YOU are a conspiracy theorist and not a rightfully concerned mother. What bullshit. My guess is your doc is a REPUKE.