Rising Numbers of Deaths Involving Fentanyl and Carfentanil
As you know, the opioid crisis continues to affect communities across the nation. CDC continues its commitment to helping state and local health departments, and our partners across the country, save lives and end the opioid overdose epidemic. In response to the crisis, CDC is funding 32 states and Washington, D.C. under its Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) program to provide more timely and comprehensive data on fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses, with the goal that these data can be used to inform public health responses within and across states. Recent sharp increases in opioid overdoses have been driven by fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (i.e., compounds that are chemically related to fentanyl). Fentanyl is a particularly potent opioid, estimated to be 50–100 times more potent than morphine, and some fentanyl analogs, such as carfentanil, are even more potent than fentanyl (carfentanil is estimated to be 10,000 more potent than morphine). Risk of overdose and death is higher when more potent substances are used.
New MMWR Notes from the Field
New data from participating ESOOS states are highlighted in the recently released MMWR: Notes from the Field: Overdose deaths with carfentanil and other fentanyl analogs detected — 10 states, July 2016–June 2017. These data have identified an alarming number of recent deaths involving fentanyl analogs in certain states. Carfentanil, which is the most potent fentanyl analog detected in the United States, is responsible for the largest number of these deaths in the states featured in this study. Growing outbreaks associated with fentanyl analogs are straining the capacity of medical examiner and coroner offices and public health departments and highlight the need to improve detection of fentanyl and fentanyl analog outbreaks to facilitate effective response.
New Health Alert Network (HAN) Update
CDC has also issued HAN 413 related to the MMWR release, Rising Numbers of Deaths Involving Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs, Including Carfentanil, and Increased Usage and Mixing with Non-opioids. The HAN Update features new information about the nationwide opioid epidemic, along with updated comprehensive guidance available to prevent occupational exposure to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs by law enforcement and other emergency responders.
Additional Information and Resources
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