Attention Healthcare Public Relations & PR Professionals: CDC Tracking (Possible) Gulf Oil Spill Health Effects in Four States

By Stewart Gandolf, Chief Executive Officer

Health Surveillance Underway -- A Heads-up for Medical Group Marketing, Family Practices, General Practices, and Hospitals.

Four State Gulf Coast Region

Here’s a brief news note for healthcare professionals that’s worth repeating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is watching for potential short-term health effects that may be related to the offshore oil spill near four Gulf Coast states.

CDC surveillance systems are tracking changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

According to the CDC’s announcement: “These surveillance systems are being used to track symptoms related to the eyes, skin, and respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems, including worsening of asthma, cough, chest pain, eye irritation, nausea, and headache.”

The system is intended to alert officials for follow-up that would determine if the symptoms are related or unrelated to the oil spill. The CDC announcement, with updates, is available online.