News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – In the 1960s, the rate of vaccinia virus transmission from people newly vaccinated against smallpox to nonimmunized people was low, but the rate could be higher today because of medical differences between populations then and now, according to a new analysis by smallpox experts.

(CIDRAP News) – Two leading medical societies this week urged caution on proposals for smallpox immunization for the public, days after federal health officials expressed qualified support for the idea.

(CIDRAP News) – A recent meta-analysis does not support the idea that antibiotic treatment increases the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in patients with Escherichia coli O157:H7 enteritis, but the authors say the question isn't settled yet.

(CIDRAP News) – Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has named the 21 members of his Council on Public Health Preparedness, which will advise HHS on dealing with public health emergencies, including bioterrorism.

Federal health authorities provide opportunities in the next month for input as they revise the current policy regarding vaccination of the general population.

(CIDRAP News) – A lengthy report by an expert panel on anthrax generally echoes treatment and prevention recommendations made by federal health officials last fall while highlighting how little is known about the epidemiology of the disease, especially how many spores it takes to cause infection.

(CIDRAP News) – Three case reports from the recent anthrax outbreak published in the February 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrate that even patients without obvious anthrax exposure may be at risk, pointing up the need for heightened public health surveillance and increased public awareness.