NEWS & EVENTS

NEWS ARCHIVE | EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

EXPOSURE TO VIRAL & OTHER CRITICAL BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

SMALLPOX, VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS

Follow the steps listed below if patients present in the Emergency Department of Community Hospitals, and/or physician offices with symptoms of severe fever with or without rash, flu-like syndrome AND the attending physician believes there is a strong likelihood of patient exposure to a critical biologic agent:

1. Contact the CDC Bioterrorism Emergency Number: 1-770-488-7100

2. Contact the Kansas City Office of FBI: 1-816-221-6100

Specific instructions will be given by the CDC for specimen collection, patient management, etc. Transportation of specimens will be coordinated by the FBI.

3. Contact the State Department of Health*

BOTULISM (BOTULINUM TOXIN)

Follow the steps listed below if patients present in the Emergency Department of Community Hospitals, and/or physician offices with consistent symptoms and neurological findings AND the attending physician believes there is a strong likelihood of patient exposure to a critical biologic agent:

1. The toxin has been developed as an aerosol weapon. There is no human data on the effects of inhaling botulinum toxin, but it may resemble the foodborne syndrome.

2. Contact the CDC 1-770-433-7100 for clinical consultation 24/7. CDC will ship botulism antitoxin when needed.

Anaerobic culture of a stool specimen may be indicated if foodborne botulism is suspected. Contact CDC the Foodborne and Diarrheal Disease Branch 1-404-639-2888 for advice.

3. Contact the State Department of Health*

*Missouri Dept. of Health Emergency (24/7) phone: 1-800-392-0272
Kansas Dept. of Health 1-785-296-1343

Physicians Reference Laboratory, LLC
December, 2001