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Smallpox/Public Health Preparedness Since September 11, Connecticut has been on heightened awareness of the possibility of bioterrorism attacks. The last case of Smallpox in the United States was in 1949, and Americans are no longer routinely vaccinated against the disease.  Therefore, the use of Smallpox is seen as a likely bioterrorist weapon. Smallpox Clinic in Danbury The City of Danbury is formulating a plan for public vaccination in the event of a bioterrorist attack. Volunteers are needed; if you would like to help, please click here for information on responsibilities and forms. Public Health Preparedness in Connecticut For information regarding the broader issue of Public Health Preparedness, click here to visit the Connecticut Department of Health's informative website. Questions?  Have questions about Danbury's Smallpox Clinic or the program?  Please e-mail us. Physician Guidelines: Smallpox Surveillance / Identification / Reporting Smallpox is a Category 1 reportable disease and upon suspicion the Physician should telephone the reportable disease (24 hours/7days a week) to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the local health department. Weekdays the Epidemiology Program of the DPH can be reached at 860-509-7994. Nights and weekends a DPH epidemiologist can be reached at 860-509-8000. For reports concerning Danbury residents, the Danbury Health & Housing Department can be reached on weekdays at 797- 4625. Selected unusual cases of chickenpox are now considered Category 1 reportable. The names of the persons of any age admitted to the inpatient hospital service with suspected chickenpox, and all cases of chickenpox in adults seen in any medical setting (inpatient or outpatient) should be reported immediately by phone to the DPH and your local health department. A follow-up written report using DPH form #PD-23 should be mailed to the DPH and your local health department within 12 hours. Please see the January 2003 issue of the CT Epidemiologist (on line at the DPH website under Publications, Connecticut Epidemiologist).  Reporting of suspect smallpox and unusual chickenpox cases results in DPH helping to assess the possible risk of smallpox, helping with getting rapid diagnostic tests, as necessary, at the DPH laboratory, providing digital photos of skin lesions if needed to send to CDC or other experts, and collection of relevant data on where the patient has been during the infectious period if the person turns out to have smallpox. "Smallpox: What Every Clinician Should Know" web cast Additional information and a copy of the archived web cast are available here. A videotape of the program is available from the Public Health Foundation, telephone 877-252-1200 (United States) or 301-645-7773 (International) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or e-mail info@phf.org. When requesting a videotape by e-mail, indicate "Smallpox: What Every Clinician Should Know" on the subject line. Videos Available at the Danbury Library Are you a clinician or medical professional who needs immediate access to smallpox information?  The Danbury Library has the following videos available to borrow: Considerations for Response Team Volunteers Smallpox Preparedness, CDC Bioterrorism Update Satellite Broadcast, December 2002, 45 minutes. Operational Issues, Smallpox Preparedness CDC Bioterrorism Update Satellite Broadcast, December 2002, 1 hour 20 minutes. Issues for Clinicians Smallpox PreparednessCDC Bioterrorism Update Satellite Broadcast, December 2002, 1 hour 50 minutes. Overview, Communications and Hospital Considerations Smallpox Preparedness, CDC Bioterrorism Update, Satellite Broadcast, December 2002, 47 minutes. Smallpox Vaccine Administration CDC Training Video, December 2002, 38 minutes. Smallpox and Bioterrorism Links President Bush's Remarks on Smallpox United States Department of Health & Human Services Smallpox Information Center Contains information in English and Spanish for the general public (children and adults), healthcare professionals, the military, and public service professionals.  Reference materials, vaccination information, and FAQs are included. What does smallpox look like? What does the disease look like? What reactions are common after vaccination or revaccination? The above link provides images and information.  If you have had or are contemplating receiving the vaccine, the CDC's brochure on smallpox vaccination may be helpful to you. General bioterrorism guidelines and plans From the Centers for Disease Control.  Includes information on other bioterrorist weapons, such as ricin and botulism, as well as information on mass-casualty and other incidences.

Danbury Health & Housing Department
155 Deer Hill Avenue (City Hall)
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 797-4625
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