Could we have another unknown disease on our hands?
"In a project resembling something out of television's "The X-Files," federal health officials say the causes of a quarter of the deaths that have
stumped coroners in recent years appear to be from ordinary, treatable conditions.
The "Unexplained Deaths Project" is a collection of data on the mysterious deaths of 227 children and adults from 1995 to 2003.
Despite advances in medical technology, a specific cause of death was found for just 53 of the cases, slightly more than a quarter. The findings were
presented this week at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases. "
"The project was launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as an early warning system for emerging diseases. About a dozen
health departments around the country participate.
AIDS, Legionnaires' disease and hantavirus sickened people for years before the diseases were first identified by health officials, said Reagan."
www.cnn.com...
[Edited on 2-3-2004 by Jonna]
