CDC's 'X-Files' probes mysterious deaths

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]

Glad you posted this one. I saw it in a news crawl last night and thought it interesting and significant.

It could be related to two different things, including the need for some retraining or education for medical personnel.