The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Clinical Information Service: 800.CDC.INFO (800.232.4636)

The CDC Clinical Information Service is part of the 800.CDC.INFO Contact Center, a resource for clinical information and material (posters, pamphlets, CD ROMs, etc.) covering CDC health-related topics.  800.CDC.INFO (800.232.4636) is a 24/7/365 toll-free telephone information system for clinicians and the public to facilitate the rapid dissemination of bioterrorism information, natural disaster updates, and the latest on emerging diseases. You may also e-mail your question or request to: COCA@cdc.gov.

How does the 800-Number work?
Do you have a clinical question?  Call the CDC Clinical Information Service!  This hotline and e-mail response service provides access to English- and Spanish-speaking Health Communication Specialists who assist the public with clear, concise, up-to-date CDC-approved information and appropriate information about emerging public health issues, such as West Nile Virus, SARS and monkey pox.  It also provides information about biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism.  Since this hotline is answered by staff, callers have the ability to ask questions and have them directly answered.

In addition, the CDC INFO is able to respond to questions on infectious diseases, occupational and environmental health, chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

Services are provided for the general public, students, healthcare professionals, public health professionals and emergency response teams. Services are available to the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you are a clinician with a patient, please listen carefully to the instructions in order to expedite your call.  A customer service representative will forward your call to a health service representative once you identify yourself.

What kind of information is available?
The CDC Clinical Information Service can provide information for these topics and more*:

Anthrax
Botulism
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)/variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) [mad cow]
Chlorine
Influenza/Avian Influenza
Influenza Vaccine
Mass Trauma
Natural Disasters (Such as, hurricane recovery, tsunamis, and earthquakes)
Nerve Agents
Plague
Rabies
Radiation
Ricin
SARS
Smallpox/Smallpox Vaccine
Tularemia
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
West Nile Virus

* This is not a comprehensive list.  Clinicians, please feel free to contact the CDC Clinical Information Service about any health concern or topic.

Additionally, the CDC offers the Clinician Outreach Communication Activity, a service that includes email inquiries, monthly conference calls on topics focusing on preparedness and bioterrorism topics, and a weekly information update electronic newsletter.  There is a monthly training version of the newsletter as well.  Health Care Providers are also encouraged to subscribe for the COCA updates, which provide valuable, timely information.