Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

The Voice for Private Physicians Since 1943

 

 

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: Military May Receive Smallpox Vax This Week

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--Military could transmit vaccinia virus to family personnel

--Physicians should be on alert to possibility of secondary transmissions

--Resources to recognize signs and symptoms

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The advisory below was sent to us from the Arizona Department of Health Services via the Arizona Medical Association to alert physicians and other medical workers about the possibility of secondary transmission of vaccinia virus from military personnel.

 

We recommend that you check with your state or county health department for reporting requirements or any other advisories in your area.  The link to the CDC smallpox clinic plans is posted on the AAPS website, along with other useful information about the vaccine.

 

We urge you to post your questions and comments on the AAPS forum on the website.

 

www.aapsonline.org

 

Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

1601 N. Tucson Blvd.  Suite 9

Tucson, AZ  85716

(800) 635-1196

(520) 325-4230 Fax

www.aapsonline.org

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PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY
December 13, 2002

Dear Health Care Provider:
Last night, we were informed that members of the US military would begin
receiving smallpox vaccine as early as today.  Naturally, members of the
military will receive their own health care, including evaluation and
treatment for vaccine side effects, from military health care providers.

However, there is a chance of accidental transmission of vaccinia virus from
vaccinated personnel to their family members, who may seek care from
civilian health care providers.  We encourage you to be alert to the
possibility of secondary transmission to family members of military
personnel who present with signs and symptoms consistent with vaccinia
infection. The following web-based resources have detailed information on
the signs and symptoms:

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Smallpox Page -
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/>

- Arizona Department of Health Services' Home Page -
<http://www.hs.state.az.us/>

Let's face it, there are very few of us who have ever seen this. If you have
any question about the possibility of this in a patient, please err on the
side of caution and consult your infectious disease consultant, or call your
County Health Department or the Arizona Department of Health Services at
602-230-5871.

Our own vaccination activities for Public Health Rapid Response Teams and
Hospital Rapid Response Teams will not likely begin before late January.
Importantly, the goal of this first phase of vaccinations is not to protect
us from inadvertent exposure to the first case of disease.  Rather, it is
designed to create a limited cadre of professionals who will be asked to
respond and treat the initial smallpox cases.  Anyone who may have been
exposed to initial cases, including health care workers, can be vaccinated
successfully after exposure.  Of course, if there ever were genuine cases of
disease, we would accelerate vaccination of other health care personnel.  We
will keep you informed of our progress.

Sincerely,
Bob England, MD, MPH
State Epidemiologist

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