(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS on duplicating, publishing or distributing the files on KeelyNet except where noted! March 14, 1992 TUBER.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-EMERGENCYNET NEWS SVC.-01/24/92-1630CST NEW TUBERCULOSIS "EPIDEMIC" SPREADING By Clark Staten, EMT-Paramedic Chicago, IL. A new and virulent form of tuberculosis has struck as many as thirteen (13) states, including Illinois. The states named by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) include; New York, New Jersey, Alabama, California, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Virginia, Washington, Pennsylvania, Florida, Hawaii, and Illinois. This new mutant form of tuberculosis is proving resistant to standard antibiotic treatments that have been used for years to treat the disease. According the CDC officials, they requested that representatives of as many as forty-eight (48) states come to a recent two day meeting to attempt to develop strategies to combat the new strain of bacteria. Public health reports have been received that multiple outbreaks of the deadly new form of the virus have already occurred in at least five states, with eight others reporting one case of the newly mutated form. Reportedly, thirty-one (31) other states have also reported higher than normal numbers of the standard form of tuberculosis. Several health officials have also expressed concerns that they do not have adequate data on the actual number of victims of the new strain, in order to determine the true extent of the threat. Tuberculosis, like many other virus-type diseases, is spread by "droplet dispersion", when the infected patient coughs or sneezes. Contact with the infected body fluids has been shown to be the primary route of introduction to the disease. Health care and emergency workers seem to be those at greatest risk from tuberculosis, due to the fact they are often called upon to be in close contact with the victims. The latest lethal strain of the disease also seems to have been most often reported when associated with those with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Researchers say that it is possible that those with a compromised immune system may be the most susceptible to this new form of the disease, and that is why they are being diagnosed at the onset of this outbreak. Page 1 Doctors at the Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York, have reported the latest large outbreak of the disease. Out of thirteen (13) patients diagnosed with the drug-resistant virus, eleven (11) have died. In the New York outbreak, however, researchers point out that 85% of the patient that expired also had tested positive for HIV. Doctors report that some patients, infected with the drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, can be cured with early multiple antibiotic intervention. They say that early diagnosis and treatment seem to be most important factors in the eventual survival of the infected patients. CDC experts, however, report that they do not at this time have sufficient data to determine the overall mortality rate for exposures to drug resistant tuberculosis. Dr. Dixie Snider, CDC's top tuberculosis expert, reportedly issued the following statement; "At no time in recent history has tuberculosis been of such concern as it is now. . . because tuberculosis is out of control in this country". President Bush is expected to acknowledge the growing threat of this disease by announcing increased funding for tuberculosis prevention and research programs in the Health & Human Service's 1992-1993 budget. -------------------------------------------------------------------- All rights reserved, unless otherwise assigned EMERGENCYNET NEWS SERVICE Emergency Response & Research Institute 5656 N. Moody, Chicago,IL 60646 (312) 631-1101 - Voice/Messages (312) 631-3467 - Computer/Modem - Emergency BBS -24hrs. (312) 320-7982 - Mobile (312) 746-6642 - Work/Days -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. Thank you for your consideration, interest and support. Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet -------------------------------------------------------------------- If we can be of service, you may contact Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2