In May 1980, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) organized a task force to study toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a new illness associated with tampon use. In 1980, 890 cases of TSS were reported, 812 (91%) of which were associated with menstruation. In 1989, 61 cases of TSS were reported, 45 (74%) of which were menstrual. In 1980, 38 (5%) of 772 women with menstrual TSS died; in 1988 and 1989, there were no deaths among women with menstrual TSS. Reported by: Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, CDC.