The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are making detailed practical information on hurricane preparedness, response and recovery available to affected communities, people displaced by the storms and responders.
There are many potential public health and safety concerns after hurricane impact. Many injuries and illnesses from hurricanes and floods occur during the response and recovery phases. Some common hazards include vehicle-related and nonvehicle-related drowning; carbon monoxide poisoning (such as from gasoline-powered engines, including generators and clean-up equipment); electrocution; falls; cuts; and exposure to mold or industrial and household chemicals.
As part of the overall U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) response and recovery operations, CDC is supporting public health and medical care functions for affected communities and those displaced by the hurricanes.
CDC sent pharmacy and federal medical station supplies to Texas, Louisiana and Florida. It has also activated and deployed members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and other staff to provide technical support for critical public health functions.
Field operations and CDC’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are supporting mortality and morbidity surveillance; public health messaging and risk communication; water, sanitation, safety and facility assessments; community rapid needs assessments; mold abatement; industrial and residential contaminant exposure prevention; and vector control.
Guidance and other resources to assist in addressing many of these hazards and risk are available from CDC both online and through its information service, CDC-INFO. Live agents provide up-to-date science-based health information. CDC-INFO can be reached between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Eastern Time at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or by submitting a web-based form. Services are available in English and Spanish.
CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) also offers a disaster response clinical consultation service to assist healthcare providers, public health professionals and emergency response partners. This service is accessed by e-mailing CDC IMS Clinical Inquiries at eocevent168@cdc.gov.
