Emergency Preparedness and Response
Guidelines and Recommendations

Below are selected prevention and treatment guidelines, recommendations, frameworks, approaches, and other documents related to emergency preparedness and response, including bioterrorism, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and more. Also see related links on this page.

Emergency Preparedness and Response
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
This site provides information and guidelines on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including bioterrorism, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and more.

Smallpox Vaccination Information for Women Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding (2003)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/preg-factsheet.asp
This fact sheets answers questions about pregnancy and smallpox vaccination.

Prenatal Radiation Exposure: A Fact Sheet for Physicians (2002)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/prenatalphysician.asp
This fact sheet describes what physicians need to know about diagnosing, treating, and advising pregnant women who have been exposed to radiation.

Anthrax Q & A: Pregnancy (2002)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/pregnancy.asp
These questions and answers discuss pregnancy and medications to prevent anthrax.

FAQs: Guidelines for Pregnant Women Who Have Been Exposed to Anthrax But Do Not Have Symptoms (2001)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/anthrax.htm
These questions and answers discuss medicine to prevent anthrax in pregnant women who have been exposed to anthrax, but who do not have symptoms of anthrax disease. For CDC guidelines for treating anthrax disease, see MMWR, October 26, 2001/Vol. 50/No. 42.

Notice to Readers: Additional Options for Preventive Treatment for Persons Exposed to Inhalational Anthrax (2001)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5050a5.htm
PDF (p. 1140)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5050.pdf
Many persons who were exposed to inhalational anthrax in the recent bioterrorism-related anthrax attacks have or are concluding their 60-day course of antimicrobial prophylaxis. Some persons, especially those who were exposed to high levels of anthrax spores, might want to take additional precautions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is providing two additional options beyond the 60-day anti-microbial prophylaxis course: an extended 40-day course of antimicrobial prophylaxis and investigational post-exposure treatment with anthrax vaccine.

Update: Interim Recommendations for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Children and Breastfeeding Mothers and Treatment of Children with Anthrax (2001)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5045a5.htm
PDF (p.1014)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5045.pdf
Because of its known safety for infants, amoxicillin is an option for antimicrobial prophylaxis in breastfeeding mothers when B. anthracis is known to be penicillin-susceptible and no contraindication to maternal amoxicillin use is indicated. Decisions about antimicrobial choice and continuation of breastfeeding should be made by the mother and her and the infant's health-care providers.

Notice to Readers: Updated Recommendations for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Among Asymptomatic Pregnant Women After Exposure to Bacillus anthracis (2001)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5045a5.htm
PDF (p. 960)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5043.pdf
Pregnant women are likely to be among the persons receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis for exposure to B. anthracis. Clinicians, public health officials, and women who are candidates for treatment should weigh the possible risks and benefits to the mother and fetus when choosing an antimicrobial for post-exposure anthrax prophylaxis.

Related Links

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Women's Health Topics A-Z
http://www.cdc.gov/women/az/epr.htm

Guide to Community Preventive Services
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/communityguide.htm

This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from the Adobe Web site.
 

Home | Site Map | Contact Us
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility
CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed April 4, 2005
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/women/gderecom/epr.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Women's Health