Use of the U.S. National Poison Data System (NPDS) to Detect and Describe Potentially Harmful, Non-Traditional Behaviors Taken by Individuals to Prevent, Treat, or Cure COVID-19

Introduction: On January 19, 2020, Washington State reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19. Two years later, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over 90 million cases across every U.S. state territory causing more than 1 deaths, with numbers continuing to grow. As part overall pandemic response, CDC, in coordination America’s Poison Centers, conducted enhanced surveillance National Data System (NPDS) data detect potentially harmful, non-traditional behaviors taken prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19 provide situational awareness ensure CDC continues develop effective, evidence-based health communication messages materials. Method: from fifty-five poison centers (PCs) are uploaded near real-time NPDS. monitored several categories including cleaners disinfectants, medications/vitamins, such as suicide drug use. We characterized exposures by daily call volume, age group, management site, route exposure, medical outcome compared previous years. also follow-up detailed review certain anomalies, spikes, extreme adverse events. Results: PC task forces within Emergency Operations Center. The number increased sharply beginning March 2020 disinfectants. For example, bleach exposure calls saw a 62.1% increase 2019. Several medications spikes media coverage treatments (e.g., hydroxychloroquine) throughout pandemic. Conclusion: This helped coordinated public response maximized unique role PCs addressing provider concerns questions. Results led actions notifications departments, targeted messaging, tailored efforts. valuable resource providing guidance advice about hazardous substances can help reduce burden on healthcare system.