Fatal pediatric poisoning from lead paint - Wisconsin, 1990
Article Abstract:
The most recent fatal case of poisoning from lead-based paint was reported in the mid-1970s. In September 1990, however, a 28-month-old boy was brought to the hospital because of decreased appetite and lethargy. His parents stated that he had eaten paint chips. His blood lead level was 144; levels as low as 70 have been fatal. The child fell into a coma and died within 26 hours of admission. An autopsy revealed marked swelling of the brain, what appeared to be paint chips in his intestines, and evidence of chronic lead exposure in his bones. The child and his family had been living in a building not intended to be used as housing. The paint was chipping badly, and was found to contain up to one third lead on testing. Additionally, the dust on the floors and furniture was heavily contaminated with lead. The incidence of lead poisoning has been decreasing in recent years, due to more stringent laws and increased screening efforts, but there are still an estimated 12 million children living in housing with lead-based paint. Federal agencies responsible for coordinating efforts to reduce lead poisoning have set a goal of decreasing the number of children with lead toxicity to less than 500,000 by the year 2000. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Fatal Yellow Fever in a Traveler Returning From Venezuela, 1999
Article Abstract:
Doctors report one of the first two cases of yellow fever in US residents since 1924. In September, 1999, a California resident developed the symptoms of a viral disease after a 10-day trip to Venezuela. Despite aggressive treatment, he died within two weeks. An autopsy of his liver showed that he had yellow fever, a type of liver disease caused by the yellow fever virus. This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Most of this man's traveling companions had been vaccinated against yellow fever but he had not.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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Fatal Illnesses Associated With a New World Arenavirus--California, 1999-2000
Article Abstract:
Three California residents died from acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the Whitewater Arroyo (WWA) virus. This virus belongs to a class called the arenaviruses and was first isolated from a woodrat in New Mexico in the early 1990s. This is the first report of WWA infection in humans.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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