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  Public Information:

 

 

May 17, 2008:

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Release #08-267

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 879-3906
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

 

Maple Chase Co. Recalls Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Combo Alarms Due to Alarm Malfunction

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: FireX Branded 10000 Series Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and 12000 Series CO/Smoke Combo Alarms

Units: About 280,000

Manufacturer: Maple Chase Company, of Plain City, Ohio

Hazard: The recalled alarms can sound a “double chirp”/fault alarm in the presence of CO, prior to going into full alarm. Upon hearing a double chirp, the Owner’s Manual instructions recommend a consumer take the alarm out of service, which could expose consumers to hazardous levels of CO and suffer injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes FireX branded 10000 and 12000 series alarms with item numbers: 10000, 12000, 12000C, 12000-6, 12200, 12220, 12400, 12400C manufactured between June 1, 2007 and February 1, 2008. The date code appears on the back of the unit with a four digit year, three digit month followed by the day (ex: 2007JUN1 for June 1, 2007). Units with a manufacture date code prior to June 1, 2007 are not included in this recall.

Sold: Commercial electrical distributors and electrical contractors and builders for installation into new home construction. A limited number of units were sold at Menard’s nationwide from June 2007 through February 2008 for about $20 (10000 series) and $30 (12000 series).

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should contact Maple Chase immediately to receive a free comparable replacement alarm and make arrangements to return their recalled alarms. Consumers should not take the alarms out of service until they receive the replacement alarm.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maple Chase toll-free at (888) 879-3906 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or go to the firm’s Web site at www.firexsafety.com




 

---

Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 17, 2008:

 

 

2007 New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs Report

 

 

April 16, 2008:

This is an official

CDC Health Advisory

 

Distributed via Health Alert Network

April 14, 2008, 18:50 EDT (06:50 PM EDT)

CDCHAN-00274-08-04-14-ADV-N

CDC Alert on Adverse Effects Associated with Consuming “Total Body Formula” and “Total Body Mega Formula”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working collaboratively with state health departments, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on reports of adverse health effects following consumption of the dietary supplement “Total Body Formula,” and “Total Body Mega Formula” manufactured in the USA exclusively for Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc. This dietary supplement has been found by FDA to contain hazardous levels of selenium (up to 200 times the label value) and chromium (up to 17 times the label value).

An FDA press release on April 9, 2008 detailed information regarding the level of selenium in the product (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01818.html). FDA is advising consumers to stop using “Total Body Formula” in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and “Total Body Mega Formula” in the Orange/Tangerine flavor and discard them by placing them in a trash receptacle outside of the home. “Total Body Formula” products are sold in eight-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles.Total Body Mega Formula” is sold in 32-ounce plastic bottles. Products with the following lot numbers should be discarded: Total Body Tropical Orange with lot numbers 4016801, 4024801 and 4031801; Total Body Peach Nectar with lot numbers 4016802 and 4031802; and Total Body Mega Orange/Tangerine with lot number 4031803.

As of April 11, 2008, 91 adverse reactions have been reported from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia health departments. The American Association of Poison Control Centers and the FDA report additional exposures in other states.

Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc reportedly distributed this product to 16 states (Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia), and also sells its products over the Internet.

Clinical description of selenium toxicity

Excessive intake of selenium is known to cause the following symptoms: significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, loss of finger nails and blistering skin.

Clinical description of chromium toxicity

Excessive intake of chromium may result in the following symptoms: renal failure, elevated hepatic enzymes, thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, changes in thought processes, gastrointestinal disorders, chest pain, erythema/flushing/rash, dizziness, headache, agitation, and rhabdomyolysis.

Case definition

Individuals presenting with two or more of the following symptoms that occurred within two weeks of ingesting a dietary supplement manufactured in the USA exclusively for Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc: hair loss, muscle or joint pains, fingernail discoloration or changes, headache, foul breath, weakness, gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain), rash, oliguria/anuria or abnormal renal function tests, jaundice or abnormal liver function tests, anemia or hematological changes.

CDC requests that consumers and clinicians who encounter patients with symptoms consistent with selenium and/or chromium poisoning report these cases to their local poison control center (PCC) at 1-800-222-1222.  Medical personnel are available at PCCs to provide specific medical management advice and will make appropriate referral to state and local health authorities. 

Health care professionals and consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Categories of Health Alert messages:

Health Alert conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.

Health Advisory provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action.

Health Update provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.

 

##This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Epidemiologists, State Laboratory Directors, PHEP Coordinators, HAN Coordinators and Public Information Officers as well as Public Health Associations and Clinician organizations##

 

 

March 19, 2008:

Flood Lines (opens in PDF)

 

March 7, 2008:

Please click on the link below for information on the upcoming public meetings regarding the Independent Evaluation of Recent Flooding in New Hampshire . 

 

http://www.des.state.nh.us/press/archive/2008/press03062008.htm

 

March 7, 2008:

 

Concord Fire's Snow Load Report (opens in Microsoft Word)

 

March 7, 2008:

 

March 2008 NNEPC E-Updates (click here opens in PDF)

 

March 7, 2008:

"Anoutdoor enthusiast's guide to wildlife-related diseases" discusses avian
influenza, rabies, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Eastern Equine
Encephalitis, Chronic Wasting disease, and fish diseases.  Both are
linked
from the NH DHHS website at:
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/CDCS/West+Nile+Virus/default.htm on the
right-hand side of the screen you will see links to "The Outdoors" and
"Diseases in Wildlife", linking you to the two documents.  They can also
be
accessed directly from the NH Fish and Game website at:
http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/wildlife.htm.
 

February 28, 2008

The Pelham Fire department is aware of the rise of influenza and wishes to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions such as frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and staying home if you are ill. Please check on those who are susceptible such as the elderly, children, and those who have current health issues. Please visit www.cdc.gov for updated information.

 

February 22, 2008

Health Advisory

click for link

(opens in Microsoft Word

 

February 21, 2008

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington , DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2008
Release #08-199

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 746 8344
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Rinnai Recalls Wall Furnaces Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

WASHINGTON , D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556

Units: About 52,000

Manufacturer: Rinnai America Corp., of Peachtree City , Ga.

Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon
monoxide gas leaking into the home.

Incidents/Injuries: Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide
leaking from the furnace. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Rinnai EnergySaver Direct-Vent Wall
Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556. They are either natural gas or
LP gas (propane) fueled. The following model numbers are included in the
recall:

Model RHFE-431: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P, WTA-72B-N, WTA-76B-N
     
Model RHFE-556: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P

The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on
the right side of the unit. The recall includes only those units
manufactured from February 2000 through December 2007. The manufacturing
date code is the first four digits of the serial number, written as YY
MM, and is located at the bottom of the rating plate.

Sold through: Wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and
dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and
$1,900.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact
the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free
at (866) 746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at
www.wallfurnacerecall.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08199.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more
than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents
cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure
the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools,
cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly
to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with
consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or
visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email
subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web
site at www.cpsc.gov.
 

 

February 21, 2008

 

Yellow Fever Vaccination Locations (opens in PDF)

 

Travel Centers Aug 07.pdf‎(34KB)‎

 

 

February 1, 2008

Pelham Fire Department

 

 

Dear Citizens of Pelham,                                                                        Date: 02-05-2008

 

     The Firefighters of the Town of Pelham would like to invite you to our Open House at the fire station at 65 Old Bridge Street North, on Saturday, March 8th  from 10am to 3pm. Take the opportunity to meet the Fire Chief and your local firefighters and take a tour of the fire house. Also, there will be coffee, juice, popcorn and hot dogs provided by the Pelham Firefighters Auxiliary. We always appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions and concerns; we feel it is important to have a dialog with our residents and an understanding of your needs. This year we have the new fire station on the ballot and we would like to, at the very least, give you the correct information so you can make an informed decision at the next town vote. For more information you may contact us at 603-635-2703.

 

 

 

 

Town of Pelham Firefighters

 

 

 

January 28, 2008

Release from Homeland Security

"Protecting Mass Transit Systems, Part II" - click here to view
 

 

 

 

January 11, 2008

 

NH Department of Health and Human Services                        

129 Pleasant Street – Hugh Gallen State Office Park

Concord, NH 03301

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                           

CONTACT     

For Immediate Release                                                                             Public Information Office

January 9, 2008                                                                                        603-271-4051     

 

 

DHHS Issues Reminder to Residents:

Take Simple Steps to Stop the Spread of Norovirus This Season

 

Concord, NH – The winter season is typically the time of year when there’s an increase in the incidence of noroviruses, so the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering tips to help guard against the spread of this illness. 

 

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness or what many people refer to as “the stomach flu.” Noroviruses are highly contagious and can be responsible for large outbreaks in communal settings such as long-term care facilities, schools, and in daycares.

 

New Hampshire residents can play an important role in helping to stop the spread of norovirus and other illnesses,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Jose Montero, “but it requires that all of us be vigilant in our personal hygiene habits.”

 

Noroviruses can be transmitted a number of ways, including through person-to-person contact, consumption of contaminated food and water, airborne droplets of vomit, and contact with contaminted surfaces, such as doorknobs and faucets. Symptoms of the illness include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, and headache. 

 

There is no treatment for Norovirus, but symptoms typically resolve within 48 hours. DHHS’s Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) recommends following these common sense steps to aid in prevention:

 

·        Wash hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom and changing diapers

·        Wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating food

·        Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating

·        Wash raw vegetables before eating

·        Food service workers with symptoms of norovirus should not prepare or touch food

·        Health care workers with norovirus symptoms should stay home from work

 

 

(more)

 

“Following these simple measures will help more New Hampshire residents stay healthy during

this winter season,”  Montero said.  DPHS’s Communicable Disease Control and Surveillance

Section will continue monitoring norovirus activity in New Hampshire. More information about noroviruses is available on the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov and on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.

 

 

###

 

 December 31, 2007

 

The following updates were made to CDC information and guidance from Dec. 17-31, 2007.  If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov.

Today's topics Include:

 

bulletEmerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal
bulletCOCA Conference Call Audio
bulletInterim Recommendations for Hib Conjugate Vaccines
bulletAvian Influenza
bulletSeasonal Influenza
bulletTravelers' Health

 

Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Journal

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Journal - January 2008
The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) journal provides recognition of new and re-emerging infections and understanding of factors involved in disease emergence, prevention, and elimination. It also represents the scientific communications component of CDC's efforts against the threat of emerging infections. See the January 2008 issue of the EID journal at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/index.htm

COCA Conference Call Audio

Audio for Disaster Surveillance Call posted on Website - Dec. 19
The mp3 audio file for the Disaster Surveillance COCA Conference Call presented by Amy Funk Wolkin, MSPH and LCDR Rebecca S. Noe, MPH, MN on Dec.18 has been posted on our website at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/coca/callinfo.asp

Please know that if you were not able to participate in the live COCA Conference Call on Disaster Surveillance, you can still get Continuing Education credit! Simply download the PowerPoint, follow along with the audio file and then complete the on-line evaluation.  The instructions for obtaining credit can be found at the end of the PowerPoint slides.  Please email coca@cdc.gov with any questions. 

Interim Recommendations for Hib Conjugate Vaccines

Interim Recommendations for the Use of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines Related to the Recall of Certain Lots of Hib-Containing Vaccines (PedvaxHIB® and Comvax®) - MMWR - Dec. 21
Because of the short-term reduction in available doses of Hib-containing vaccines, CDC, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that providers temporarily defer administering the routine Hib vaccine booster dose administered at age 12-15 months except to children in specific groups at high risk, which are described in this report. Providers should register and track children for whom the booster dose is deferred to facilitate recalling them for vaccination when supply improves. To maximize the amount of available vaccine, providers should order only the number of doses of vaccine required to meet immediate needs (i.e., a supply for up to 4 weeks) and should refrain from attempting to build an inventory of Hib vaccine.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5650a4.htm 

Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza - situation in Egypt - WHO update - Dec. 28
The Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt has announced two new cases of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The first case is a 50 year old female from Domiatt Governorate. She was hospitalized on 24 December and is in critical condition. The second case is a 22 year old female chicken seller from Menofia Governorate. She was hospitalized on 26 December and is presently recovering in intensive care. Both women had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to illness onset. Of the 41 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 16 have been fatal.   
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_12_28a/en/index.html

Avian Influenza - situation in Viet Nam - WHO update - Dec. 28
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has confirmed a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. The case has been confirmed by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE). The case is a 4 year old male from Son La Province. He developed symptoms on 7 December, was hospitalized on 11 December and died on 16 December. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts have been identified. All remain healthy and will continue to be monitored. The source of exposure is currently under investigation. Of the 101 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 47 have been fatal.  
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_12_28/en/index.html

Avian Influenza - situation in Pakistan - WHO update - Dec. 27
The first case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in Pakistan. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of avian influenza virus strain A(H5N1) in samples collected from one case in an affected family. The H5N1 positive case was a 25 year old male from the Peshawar area who developed febrile respiratory illness on 21 November, was hospitalized on 23 November, and died on 28 November. Additional laboratory analysis, including gene sequencing, is ongoing. The preliminary risk assessment found no evidence of sustained or community human to human transmission. All identified close contacts including the other members of the affected family and involved health care workers remain asymptomatic and have been removed from close medical observation.  
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_12_27/en/index.html

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/H5N1- WHO - Dec. 28
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2007_12_28/

H5N1 avian influenza: timeline of major events - PDF file - WHO - Dec. 17
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/Timeline_17_Dec_07.pdf

Seasonal Influenza

Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update - Dec. 28
During week 51 (December 16-22, 2007), influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. Seventy-seven (3.7%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was below the epidemic threshold. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was equal to the national baseline. The Mountain, Pacific, and West South Central regions reported ILI above their region-specific baselines. The proportion of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness (ARI) was below national baseline levels. Three states reported regional influenza activity; six states reported local influenza activity; 32 states reported sporadic influenza activity; eight states reported no influenza activity; and one state and the District of Columbia did not report.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Weekly US Map - Dec. 28
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

Travelers' Health

New vaccination requirements for travelers to Bolivia - CDC - Dec. 21
The Bolivian Consulate General in the U.S. has advised that all persons older than 12 months traveling to Bolivia must have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) to ensure protection against yellow fever. If a physician decides that for health reasons, a person cannot receive a yellow fever vaccine, a medical waiver may be issued.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentBoliviaVaccineRequirments.aspx

Updated case numbers: Ebola Outbreak in the District of Bundibugyo, Uganda - CDC - Dec. 20
As of December 16, 124 people have become ill and 35 people have died. Genetic analysis of samples from case-patients indicated that this is a new virus strain distinct from the four known strains of Ebola virus. However, further studies will be needed before this can be verified.  CDC recommends that anyone traveling to Uganda take the following steps to prevent Ebola virus infection: avoid contact with Ebola patients and their body fluids; avoid touching used needles or other medical waste; avoid contact with wild animals and bushmeat, including primates.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentEbolaUganda.aspx

The CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.

Please send us your feedback or comments: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/coca/feedback.htm.

Our Clinician Communication Team is committed to excellence in reporting our weekly updates.  Please e-mail coca@cdc.gov should you note any written errors or discrepancies.

If you need to unsubscribe or update your information, please go to our website:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/clinregistry

If you need further information or technical help, please send an e-mail message to: coca@cdc.gov
 

 

12/29/2007

This is an official

CDC Health Advisory

 

Distributed via Health Alert Network

December 29, 2007, 19:35 EST (07:35 PM EST)

CDCHAN-00267-07-12-29-ADV-N

Investigation of International Traveler with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with international, state, and local health officials and other partners on an investigation involving an international traveler to the U.S. who had recently been diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB).

CDC was informed in mid-December 2007 by a local health authority that a patient who had been diagnosed in India with MDR TB traveled from New Delhi, India to Chicago, Illinois on December 13, 2007 on American Airlines Flight # 293 and then on a shorter flight within the United States. Shortly after final arrival, the patient sought treatment for hemoptysis, fever, and chest pain at a hospital. These and other findings indicated a potential for transmission of drug-resistant TB infection to others. The patient has been hospitalized in airborne isolation and is receiving treatment for TB.

Shortly after being notified about the patient and her travels, officials of CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine contacted American Airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to obtain the information needed to contact passengers who may have been exposed to the traveler with tuberculosis. CDC is collaborating with U.S. state and local health departments, the Indian Ministry of Family Welfare, American Airlines, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to ensure notification and follow-up of passengers and crew who may have been exposed to MDR TB.

In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) TB and Airline Travel Guidelines, CDC is ensuring appropriate follow-up and care for persons who may have been exposed to TB on an aircraft. This includes recommending the evaluation and testing of passengers and crew with closest contact to the patient on board American Airlines Flight #293 departing from New Delhi, India on December 13, 2007 and arriving in Chicago, Illinois on December 13, 2007. This includes 44 passengers. These were the passengers seated in the same row as the index patient (row 35), and those seated in the two rows ahead (rows 33 and 34) and the two rows behind (rows 36 and 37), as well as the crew members working in the same cabin. These persons should receive an initial evaluation and testing for TB infection, with follow-up 8 to 10 weeks after the December 13 flight for re-evaluation.

CDC recommends testing of these passengers and crew on only the international flight from New Delhi to Chicago because this flight was longer than the 8 hour duration criteria specified by WHO for passenger testing for exposure to tuberculosis. WHO and CDC do not recommend notification or medical evaluation of passengers on briefer flights because the risk of transmission is minimal. WHO guidelines can be found at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/WHO_HTM_TB_2006.363_eng.pdf

CDC issued an Epi-X notification on December 28, 2007 to health officials in 17 states based on locating information provided by 42 of the 44 potentially exposed passengers. (Locating information was not available on two passengers). These states include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. These states should inform CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine’s duty officer if they are unable to contact any of the passengers with destinations in their states. The duty officer can be reached by calling CDC’s Director’s Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) at (770) 488-7100.

Drug-susceptible (regular) TB and MDR TB are thought to be spread the same way. The risk of acquiring any type of TB appears to depend on several factors, such as extent of disease in the source patient, duration of exposure, and ventilation.  TB bacilli become aerosolized when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These bacilli can float in the air for several hours, depending on the environment.  Persons who breathe air containing these TB bacilli can become infected.  Transmission has been documented in association with patients who have TB lung disease, and bacteria seen or cultured in sputum. Persons who become infected usually have been exposed for several hours (or days) in poorly ventilated or crowded environments. An important way to prevent the spread and transmission is by limiting an infectious person’s contact with other people.  Thus, people who have suspected or confirmed TB or MDR TB that is potentially infectious should be placed on treatment and kept isolated until they are no longer infectious.

State and local health departments who want additional information may contact CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine’s duty officer through the CDC Director’s Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) at (770) 488-7100.

Persons who believe they may have been exposed to TB or MDR TB, or their clinicians, can call 1-800 CDC INFO for further information.

Where to go for information about:

Tuberculosis: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm

MDR TB: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/mdrtb.htm  

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/drugresistanttreatment.htm


TB Testing:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/skintesting.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/QFT.htm

Infection control: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/ichcs.htm  and http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/rphcs.htm

Tuberculosis and Air Travel: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/WHO_HTM_TB_2006.363_eng.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________________

Categories of Health Alert messages:

Health Alert conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.

Health Advisory provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action.

Health Update provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.

##   This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Epidemiologists, State Laboratory Directors, PHEP Coordinators, HAN Coordinators and Public Information Officers as well as Public Health Associations and Clinician organizations   ##

 

 

The CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.

Please send us your feedback or comments: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/coca/feedback.htm.

Our Clinician Communication Team is committed to excellence in reporting our weekly updates.  Please e-mail coca@cdc.gov should you note any written errors or discrepancies.

If you need to unsubscribe or update your information, please go to our website:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/clinregistry

If you need further information or technical help, please send an e-mail message to: coca@cdc.gov
 


Communicating With Clinicians
CDC currently employs several mechanisms to communicate with clinicians on topics of urgent concern and interest.
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Pelham Fire Dept

Press Release and Public Announcement Center
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