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1993.06.03 : Unknown Disease in New Mexico

Contact:  Public Health Service
Thursday, June 3, 1993                       Bill Grigg
                                             (202) 690-6867

       HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala has directed the U.S.
Public Health Service to provide all necessary assistance to
local, state and federal investigators working to unravel an
unusual cluster of illnesses in New Mexico and Arizona.
     "We're going to stay on top of this,"  Shalala said.  "I've
been assured that we are deploying resources as needed, and I've
requested periodic updates on our progress."   
       In mid-May, doctors in the U.S. Public Health Service's
Indian Health Service and New Mexico's health department
recognized a cluster of serious illnesses in northwest New Mexico
and in adjacent Arizona.
     The illnesses have been characterized by fever, muscle ache,
headache and cough, followed by acute respiratory distress.  The
disease has occurred primarily among young adult Native Americans
in the two states.
       After an initial state and Indian Health Service
investigation, at the end of last week epidemiologists from the
PHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joined
investigators of the health departments of Arizona and New Mexico
and IHS to seek the cause of the outbreak.
     An eighth CDC epidemiologist is arriving today (June 3), and
additional personnel will be assigned as required.  
     In this illness, acute respiratory difficulties have
resulted in death in 13 of 20 cases reported by the states. 
Interviews, studies of patients and lab tests -- at state labs,
local hospitals and at CDC -- are being conducted.  Contact
surveillance has also begun.
     More than 35 specialists met Saturday (May 29) and again
Monday (May 31).  These scientists have already ruled out several
commonly known diseases, such as anthrax, Legionnaire's and the
plague.   Doctors and scientists are working closely with tribal
authorities.  The Navajo Nation leadership has been kept informed
through daily conferences.
       Both toxins and infectious agents are being investigated. 
There is no evidence that this is a highly contagious disease.
     "People in the affected area who have flu-like symptoms
should seek early medical attention," Shalala said.  "Most of
those affected have been young adults who were previously in good
health."
     Shalala said some illnesses outside this Western area are
being investigated but there is no evidence at this time that
they are the same, she added.
       "I have directed the Public Health Service -- especially
the CDC and the Indian Health Service -- to provide all necessary
support to local and state workers and tribal authorities in
unraveling this tragic situation,"  Shalala said.

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