CDC investigating reports of TB, other illnesses in shelters - outbreak spreading (my question)

ChiTrib via charlotte.com ^ | today | BY JUDITH GRAHAM - Chicago Tribune

[xcamel]

CHICAGO - (KRT) - Bacterial infections may have killed four survivors of Hurricane Katrina, federal officials said Tuesday, while warning that other disease outbreaks may also be emerging.

Officials named Vibrio vulnificus as a likely culprit in the deaths. The bacterium can lead to dangerous infections in people with open cuts and wounds who are exposed to hurricane floodwaters, said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC is also investigating a potential outbreak of norovirus, an infection infamous for causing stomach ailments on cruise ships, among refugees housed in the Houston Astrodome, Skinner confirmed.

[xcamel]

A caller to a national talk show claiming to be a member of the healthcare/rescue staff in the Superdome (reliant city) claimed that the press is not reporting on a widespread outbreak (2500+) of a rash/vomiting/extreme weakness spreading like wildfire to both evacuees and the healthcare community.

Any one else have any inside info??

[Peach]

If this is true, all those shelter workers had better be very cautious.

[WestTexasWend]

FYI:

"There is no evidence for person-to-person transmission of V. vulnificus."

Lots more info here >>>

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/vibriovulnificus_g.htm

[blogblogginaway]

FWIW ...

Disease begins to take a deadly toll
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16541654%255E2703,00.html

[xcamel]

OK, slight misinterpretation - between what is being reported, and what is **really** happening. obviously not V. vulnificus, more like cholera or something worse.

[Born Conservative]

It will be months to years before we can determine if TB was spread.