MS Epi-Aid Request - LOI

April 23, 2015
Amy Funk Wolkin, DrPH, MSPH
Chief, Health Studies Branch
Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects
National Center for Environmental Health, MS-F-57
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA 30341
Dr. Wolkin:
Mississippi has experienced a marked increase in adverse events related to the use of synthetic
cannabionoids since April 2, 2015. Over 473 reports of adverse events have been submitted
from ER’s and hospitals across the state. Eight deaths are currently under investigation as
attributed to the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
At this point in the investigation, Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has instituted
a state wide Emergency Department surveillance process, submitted clinical specimens on 165
suspected cases to a specialized lab in California, investigated eight deaths and collaborated with
numerous state partners. MSDH has dispatched a statewide Health Alert Network Message to
alert clinicians and to support the ED surveillance process. MSDH has conducted numerous
media interviews and established an informational webpage.
At this time, MSDH would like to formally request CDC assistance in the form of an Epi-AID.
Objectives of the Epi-AID would include: characterization of the outbreak using past CDC
experience and data collection tools, assistance with medical record reviews and data abstraction,
and defining the factors associated with the reported deaths and hospitalizations. Information
gleaned from this investigation would help in messaging and prevention efforts in MS, by better
understanding the determinants of severe outcome and better understanding the populations at
highest risk. Information obtained would also be generalizable to jurisdictions beyond
Mississippi that are experiencing adverse events related to synthetic cannabinoids.
We appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,

Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH
State Epidemiologist
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology
Office: (601) 576–7725

After hours: (601) 576-7400

Fax: (601) 576-7497