2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
An explosion aboard the Deep Water Horizon sinks the drilling rig, causing oil to spill into the Gulf of Mexico.

Anthrax Question and Answers: Vaccination
New updates on Anthrax Questions and Answers.

Blast Injury Fact Sheets — seven new fact sheets added.
Fact sheets for health care providers on the treatment of blast injuries.

CDC Interim Guidance for Revaccination of Eligible Persons who Participated in the US Civilian Smallpox Preparedness and Response October 2008
The purpose of this document is to propose a recommendation for an appropriate time-interval for revaccination of public health and health care volunteers who were vaccinated as responders in the US Civilian Smallpox Preparedness and Response Program. This document addresses only the revaccination of public health and healthcare volunteers and does not address routine revaccination guidance for laboratory workers or primary vaccination of emergency responders.

CDC Investigates Human Cases of Swine Flu
CDC is investigating human cases of swine flu in the United States. Keep up with updates on the investigation and find out what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick by visiting the CDC Swine Flu website.

California Wildfires: Protect Yourself and Others
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Know whether you are at risk and protect yourself.

Cold Weather Flood Safety
During a flood and its aftermath, know how protect your personal health and safety. In winter and early spring, it is especially important to understand the health threats associated with exposure to cold weather and cold water.

DOC - Fact Sheet for Patients after Amputations or Other Surgeries
French

DOC - How can I take care of my new arm or leg?
French

DOC - Mental health advisory for health professionals providing care for survivors of the 2010 Haitian earthquake
French

Emergency Use Authorization Online Course
An EUA online course developed by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide public health officials, emergency managers, or Strategic National Stockpile coordinators with an introduction to the Emergency Use Authorization of medical products.

FAQ: Melamine in Food Products Manufactured in China
News reports and the World Health Organization (WHO) state that tens of thousands of infants in China who consumed infant formula contaminated with melamine are suffering from urinary tract stones, kidney damage, and kidney failure.

Facebook page for Emergency Preparedness and Response
The CDC has launched a new Facebook page for Emergency Preparedness and Response. This page will keep you informed about how to be prepared for public health emergencies and disasters and provide information needed to protect and save lives during an event. Become a fan today! “Like” the page on www.facebook.com/cdcemergency to receive updates, participate in future conversations, and more.

Fact Sheet for Pregnant Women
If you are pregnant or someone with infants or young children, find out how to plan for an emergency or disaster. This fact sheet will help you prepare for emergency birth, prepare for an emergency or disaster, evacuate, stay in a shelter or place other than your home, be prepared during and just after a disaster, and recover after a disaster.

First there were Zombies; then came Hurricanes!
With June 1st only days away, FEMA, CDC and the rest of the team are busy preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. And now that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, you can take steps to prepare for hurricane season, too.

CDC Responds to Hurricane Season 2008
Learn what you can do to be prepared before a hurricane, what to do during the storm, and how to stay safe in the aftermath.

Funding Opportunity Announcement: Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC)
CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) has published Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) #CDC-RFA-TP10-1001: Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC). U.S. accredited Schools of Public Health are eligible to apply. FAQ are linked from the Training home page.

G-M Detectors Job Aid
A downloadable graphic illustration of the procedure for performing a radiological survey with a handheld Geiger Mueller detector.

Information About the April 6 Earthquake in Central Italy
CDC has provided links on its Earthquake website to Red Cross, Red Crescent, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) information about the April 6 earthquake in central Italy. CDC also encourages you to learn how you can take steps to protect your health and safety during and after an earthquake.

Key Findings -- Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening CDC's Emergency Response -- A CDC Report on Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (TPER)-Funded Activities
Key findings from the CDC report, Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening CDC’s Emergency Response. The key findings summarize FY 2007 TPER-funded public health preparedness accomplishments and priorities as CDC continues to strive toward its preparedness goal.

Launch of 'SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data'
CDC is pleased to announce the public launch of SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data. SNAPS is a free service to the public that provides local-level community profile information nationwide. It can be browsed by county and state and searched by zip code. SNAPS serves as a valuable tool when responding to public health emergency events at the state, Tribal, and local levels. It provides a snap shot of key variables for consideration in guiding and tailoring health education and communication efforts to ensure diverse audiences receive critical public health messages that are accessible, understandable, and timely.

MedCon:Pre-Event - A Tool to Estimate the Pre-Event Population at Risk of Medical Consequences in a Disaster
The MedCon:Pre-Event has been designed to estimate the baseline medical care requirements (i.e., the number of persons that would require medical care) of a displaced population following a disaster due to pre-existing medical conditions. Users of MedCon:PreEvent should note that the MedCon:Pre-Event has not been designed for estimating the medical care requirements due to direct impact of the event (e.g., injuries and illness) or additional medical care requirements resulting from the aggravation of the existing medical condition. The intended users of the MedCon:Pre-Event model are public health preparedness planners at local, state, and federal levels involved in addressing the large scale medical care requirements resulting from man-made and natural disasters.

Medical Record Abstraction Form for Domestic Bombing Events
This one-page form allows public health personnel to quickly extract basic medical information from hospital and emergency medical services' records to advise officials on the immediate impact of the event and the potential need for special resources.

NEW PDF: Coordinating Pediatric Medical Care During an Influenza Pandemic
Coordinating Pediatric Medical Care During an Influenza Pandemic

NEW PDF: Hospital 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Readiness Review Checklist
Hospital 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Readiness Review Checklist

NEW PDF: Table of Chemical Constituents Commonly Found in Crude Oil
This information is for environmental exposures. These constituents are present to some degree in all crude oil. Different types of oil, like light sweet crude oil, have different levels of these chemicals. If reported data indicate specific public health risks, CDC will develop and publish recommended steps to stop or reduce exposure. Additional constituents may be added to this list as needed.

NEW PDF: Pandemic Influenza Pediatric Office Plan Template
Product of a Pediatric Healthcare Response to Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Stakeholder Meeting

NEW! CDC Releases New State-by-State Report on Public Health Preparedness
Newly released Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation's Emergency Response State by State (2010) Features national-level data and individual fact sheets on preparedness activities taking place in the 50 states and 4 localities supported by CDC's Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement.

NEW: "Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic" Novella
CDC has a fun new way of teaching the importance of emergency preparedness. Our new graphic novel, "Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic" demonstrates the importance of being prepared in an entertaining way that people of all ages will enjoy. Readers follow Todd, Julie, and their dog Max as a strange new disease begins spreading, turning ordinary people into zombies.

NEW: 12 New Japanese Translation Documents Are Now Available!
12 new documents on Radiation Health and Safety are now available in Japanese. Learn more about Radiation and Health at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/.

NEW: 2010 Gulf Oil Spill - Health Surveillance
CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

NEW: 2010 Gulf Oil Spill: Information for Parents fact sheet (Spanish)
The Gulf Oil Spill 2010: Information for Parents fact sheet has been translated into Spanish.

NEW: Acute Watery Diarrhea and Cholera: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Acute Watery Diarrhea and Cholera: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Bloody Diarrhea (Dysentery): Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Bloody Diarrhea (Dysentery): Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: CDC Polio website
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines. Therefore, the strategy to eradicate polio is based on preventing infection by immunizing every child to stop transmission and ultimately make the world polio free.

NEW: CDC Ramps up Support for Final Push in Global Polio Eradication Effort
On Wednesday, December 14, CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., charged the entire CDC community to become active participants in an intensified strategy to eradicate polio, worldwide. CDC’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated for the agency’s partnership engagement through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). GPEI is committed to eradicating polio by the end of 2012.

NEW: CDC Responds to Hurricane 2011 Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with state and local governments, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal agencies to help communities recover from Hurricane Irene. Irene made U.S. landfall along the East Coast on Saturday, August 27 and continued to move northeast as a tropical storm.

NEW: CDC Responds to the Haiti Earthquake
CDC is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), various branches of the U.S. military, and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti recover from the powerful earthquake that struck the country on January 12, 2010.

NEW: CDC Response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of responding to potential public health issues related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) initiated the agency’s response on April 20th. CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on May 6th as part of the federal response to the environmental disaster.

NEW: CDC Situation Awareness - CDC Polio Response
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines.

NEW: CDC Situation Awareness - Foodborne Outbreak Syndication
CDC Situation Awareness - Foodborne Outbreak Syndication

NEW: CDC Situation Awareness Maps – 2011 Japan Earthquake
The Situation Awareness Section (SA) mission is to support CDC emergency response operations through strengthening public health information sharing between CDC, Federal, State, and local entities to monitor, collect, analyze, and develop critical information to support response actions and produce data, information, and geospatial information products supporting a User Definable Operating Picture (UDOP).

NEW: CDC Social Media for 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami


NEW: Community Fact Sheet: Volatile Organic Compounds and Your Health
Volatile Organic Compounds and Your Health Some people in the Gulf have had their blood tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because they were worried about exposure to chemicals after the Gulf oil spill. CDC and ATSDR are working with Gulf residents and their doctors to help them understand what the results might mean

NEW: Condensed Human Health Interim Clinical Guidance with Mental Health Guidance (PDF)
What Health Care Providers Should Know about Potential Health Hazards from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

NEW: Coping With a Disaster
New fact sheet featuring disaster mental health resources - including Mental Health Information for Individuals and Families, Physicians and First Responders and Relief Workers.

NEW: Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill Human Health Interim Clinical Guidance
What Health Care Providers should know about potential health hazards from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

NEW: Dengue: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Dengue: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Earthquake Audio, Video, and Multimedia Resources
CDC Earthquake PSAs and Podcasts provide timely messages about what you can do to protect yourself and your family from earthquakes.

NEW: Emergency Wound Care after an Earthquake
This new page provides links that you can use for immediate action in regards to Emergency Wound Care after an Earthquake.

NEW: Fact Sheet for Patients after Amputations or Other Surgeries
Health information for amputees in Haiti on taking care of yourself after an amputation or other surgeries.

NEW: Frequently Asked Questions About Iodine-131 Found in Milk
Is it safe to drink milk? What are the levels that would start to affect my thyroid? How long will there be traces of iodine-131 from Japan in milk? and more.

NEW: Factsheet - What to Expect from the Oil Spill and How to Protect Your Health
People can be exposed to hazardous substances related to the spill by breathing them (air), by swallowing them (food, water), or by touching them (skin).

NEW: Guidance for Relief Workers and Others Traveling to Haiti for Earthquake Response
This notice is to advise relief workers and other personnel traveling to Haiti to assist with the humanitarian response following the January 12 earthquake near Port-au-Prince. Conditions in the area remain hazardous, including extensive damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.

NEW: Guidance for U.S. Residents in Haiti
The US Department of State has issued guidance to US residents in Haiti.

NEW: Gulf Oil Spill Information for Parents
Frequently asked questions as well as State and Federal links geared towards parents.

NEW: Haiti Earthquake Response - Mental Health Information for Professionals and the Public
This new page includes mental health information for the public (in French, Haitian-Creole and English); information for health professionals including the most recent mental health advisory for professionals providing care for earthquake survivors; coping resources for first-responders; and general information on accessing mental health services in the U.S. by state.

NEW: How can I take care of my new arm or leg?
Health information for amputees in Haiti on taking care of your new arm or leg after an amputation.

NEW: Iceland Volcano Erupts
The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupts in Iceland creating floods in the area and producing high levels of volcanic ash prompting health concerns.

NEW: Information for Health Professionals - Seafood Safety Following the Gulf Oil Spill
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention letter to Gulf Coast states regarding seafood safety due to the Gulf Oil Spill.

NEW: Interim Guidance for Protecting Deepwater Horizon Response Workers and Volunteers
The specific recommendations provided in this Interim Guidance focus on issues specific to the Deepwater Horizon Response and do not address issues common to all disaster response work activities.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Evacuation in a Radiation Emergency".
In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a radioactive dirty bomb, you may need to leave your home or the immediate area (evacuate).

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Food Safety After a Tsunami".
To prevent foodborne diseases, wash your hands with clean water and soap before and after you eat or prepare food and after you use the latrine or bathroom. If you do not have clean water, use waterless hand sanitizers until clean water is available for washing.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Measuring Radiation".
When scientists measure radiation, they use different terms depending on whether they are discussing radiation coming from a radioactive source, the radiation dose absorbed by a person, or the risk that a person will suffer health effects (biological risk) from exposure to radiation. This fact sheet explains some of the terminology used to discuss radiation measurement.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Frequently Asked Questions about a Radiation Emergency".
What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation? and more.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Protecting Yourself and Your Family".
If a radiation emergency occurs, people can take actions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets. Emergency workers and local officials are trained to respond to disaster situations and will provide specific actions to help keep people safe.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Radiation Dictionary".
A - Z dictionary glossary.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Radiation Emergencies" homepage.
Radiation Emergencies homepage.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI)".
This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Radiation and Pregnancy: A Fact Sheet for the Public".
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this fact sheet to help you understand the possible health effects to your fetus from exposure to radiation.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Radioactive Contamination and Radiation Exposure".
Radioactive contamination and radiation exposure could occur if radioactive materials are released into the environment as the result of an accident, an event in nature, or an act of terrorism. Such a release could expose people and contaminate their surroundings and personal property.

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Shelter-in-Place in a Radiation Emergency".
In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a dirty bomb, you may be asked to stay home and take shelter rather than try to evacuate. This action is called “sheltering in place.”

NEW: Japanese Translation of "Tsunamis: Sanitation and Hygiene".
It is critical for you to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected. Warm water is best.

NEW: Key Points - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Human Health Interim Clinical Guidance
Key Points regarding health effects and risks of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

NEW: Leptospirosis: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Leptospirosis: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Measles: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Measles: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Meningococcal Disease: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Meningococcal Disease: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2010
Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 23 - 29.

NEW: National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN)
The National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN) is a collaborative initiative between CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) and the Division of Emergency Operations (DEO).

NEW: Protecting Yourself After a Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico
CDC is monitoring potential health threats or conditions across the five Gulf States that may arise as a result of human exposure to the oil spill. In the case of a hurricane or tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico, here are quick facts that families can take to protect their health after the storm.

NEW: Public Health Issues and Priorities for the Haiti Earthquake
Based on previous experience with disasters in Haiti and earthquakes in other countries, CDC has a general understanding of what the public health needs will be in Haiti following the January 12th earthquake. The following projections and recommendations take into account Haiti's socio-economic and demographic situation, and the health of its people prior to the earthquake.

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - A Time to Remember
A Time to Remember - by Captain Tracee Treadwell

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease
Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Don't Feed The Animals
Don't Feed The Animals - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Dragon*Khan
DragonKhan. - by Blog Administrator

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Killer Strain: Anthrax
Killer Strain: Anthrax - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - New Year's Resolution: Be Ready
New Year's Resolution: Be Ready

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Real-life Contagion: Part 2
Ticket for Two – Real-life Contagion: Part 2 - by Tyler M. Sharp, PhD

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Ten Years Later, What's Changed?
Tornado Survivors Battle Deadly Fungus Outbreak - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Ticket for Two – International travel during pregnancy
Ticket for Two – International travel during pregnancy - by Stacie Dunkle

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Tornado Survivors Battle Deadly Fungus Outbreak
Tornado Survivors Battle Deadly Fungus Outbreak - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Vampire Diaries: Getting Back to My Roots Through a Deadly Outbreak
Vampire Diaries: Getting Back to My Roots Through a Deadly Outbreak - by Lizette Durand

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - When Preparedness Hits Home
Vampire Diaries: When Preparedness Hits Home - by Cyndi Rilling

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Wildfires: What YOU Need to Know.
Wildfires: What YOU Need to Know. - by Blog Administrator

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog - Winter Weather Preparedness Means More than Just Grabbing Your Coat
Winter Weather Preparedness Means More than Just Grabbing Your Coat - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Public Health Matters Blog post
Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse - by Ali S. Khan

NEW: Q & A: Gastrointestinal (GI) Anthrax
New questions and answers on gastrointestinal (GI) anthrax

NEW: Rabies: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Rabies: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI)
This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

NEW: Spanish translation of "Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS): A Fact Sheet for the Public".
Radiation sickness, known as acute radiation syndrome (ARS), is a serious illness that occurs when the entire body (or most of it) receives a high dose of radiation, usually over a short period of time. Many survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs in the 1940s and many of the firefighters who first responded after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in 1986 became ill with ARS.

NEW: Spanish translation of "FACT SHEET: Prussian blue".
Prussian blue can remove certain radioactive materials from people’s bodies, but must be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

NEW: Spanish translation of "Frequently Asked Questions about a Radiation Emergency".
Answers to questions like: What is Radiation?, How Can Exposure Occur?, What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation?, What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation?, and more.

NEW: Spanish translation of "Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI)" for the 2011 Japan Earthquake/Tsunami.
This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

NEW: Tetanus and Neonatal Tetanus: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Tetanus and Neonatal Tetanus: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Thermal Injuries
Updated information about thermal injuries including information on pre-hospital and hospital management and care.

NEW: Translated Earthquake Home Page (French)
Translations for French pages were added.

NEW: Translated Earthquake Home Page (Haitian Creole)
Translations for Haitian Creole pages were added.

NEW: Travel Health Warning to Haiti
At this time, CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Haiti.

NEW: Tuberculosis: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Tuberculosis: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Typhoid and Paratyphoid: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Typhoid and Paratyphoid: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

NEW: Version 2.0 of Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors
All-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are responsible for initiating the public health response during the first 24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster.

NEW: What's Coming Ashore from the Oil Spill
Fact sheet featuring information about what light crude oil does when it reaches shore.

NEW: Winter Weather Cool Tip of the Week - Hypothermia
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy.

NEW: Winter Weather Cool Tip of the Week - Protect Infants During the Winter
Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more easily than adults. Unlike adults, infants are unable to make enough body heat by shivering.

NEW: Winter Weather Cool Tip of the Week - Stay Warm This Winter
Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Keep warm by dressing in wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers – these fabrics hold in more body heat than cotton.

NEW:CDC/ATSDR Guidance on the Interpretation and Use of Blood Laboratory Analyses for Volatile Organic Compounds
CDC/ATSDR Guidance on the Interpretation and Use of Blood Laboratory Analyses for Volatile Organic Compounds

National Hurricane Preparedness Week
Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 24-30. If you live in coastal areas at risk, CDC encourages you to begin preparing yourself for hurricane season. CDC and other agencies offer many resources to help you stay safe and healthy throughout the 2009 season from June 1 through November 30.

New Public Service Announcements for the Floods
Flood PSAs for "Preventing Trench Foot or Immersion Foot" and "Identification and Treatment of Hypothermia Related to Exposure in Cold Water"

New RSS Feed: CDC Hurricane Health and Safety Tips
Get weekly hurricane health and safety tips from CDC by RSS. In addition to the weekly tips, CDC will also provide you important, timely tips relevant to storms making landfall throughout the season. (These tips also available by email, mobile phone text message, and Twitter.)

New: CDC Recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Medications Remain Unchanged
A recent review of randomized clinical trial data for the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications, and two related commentaries, raised questions about the value of antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza. On February 7, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted a "Have You Heard?" piece in response. The CDC response states "After careful consideration of all available evidence, CDC guidance on the use of antiviral medications remains unchanged." CDC continues to recommend the use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir) as an important adjunct in the prevention and treatment of influenza.

NEW: Cholera Confirmed in Haiti
An outbreak of cholera was confirmed in Haiti on October 21, 2010. Cholera had not been documented in Haiti for decades so cholera outbreaks were considered unlikely in Haiti immediately following the earthquake in January, 2010.

Our New Site!
Find out about the many improvements to CDC's Emergency Preparedness and Response Web site.

PDF - After An Earthquake
French

PDF - Fact Sheet for Patients after Amputations or Other Surgeries
French

PDF - General Resources
French

PDF - How can I take care of my new arm or leg?
French

PDF - Mental Health Info for Professionals
Haitian

PDF - Mental Health Info for the Public
Haitian Creole

PDF - Mental health advisory for health professionals providing care for survivors of the 2010 Haitian earthquake
French

Preparedness Resources for Healthcare Facilities
This new webpage provides all-hazards resources intended for individuals at healthcare facilities tasked with ensuring that their facility is as prepared as possible for an emergency. The healthcare facilities targeted by this page include hospitals, long-term acute and chronic care facilities, outpatient clinics and urgent care facilities, physicians' offices, and pediatric offices and hospitals.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from the Dangers of a Volcanic Eruption
The level of seismic activity at Mount Redoubt Volcano, about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, has increased and an eruption is possible within days to weeks. Updated information on how to stay safe during and after a volcano eruption.

Public Health Matters Blog: HANDI - A Handy App for Public Health
Using commonly available mobile devices (e.g., iPhone, iPod touch), HANDI is a prime example of how we can use mobile technology in public health and emergency preparedness.

PDF - General Resources
Haitian Creole

Reactions to Smallpox Vaccination: Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
Updated information on medications used to treat reactions to the smallpox vaccine.

Recommendations to Protect Persons Wounded During Bombings and Other Mass Casualty Events
New recommendations were published jointly this week in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR) and the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal

Screening People for External Contamination: How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment
An 18 minute skills training video that demonstrates how to screen people for external contamination using a hand held Geiger Mueller Detector. The program is designed for individuals assigned to conduct mass screening for contamination from radioactive materials following a large scale incident. The program may be used as pre-incident training or intra-incident just in time training. Supplementary training material on utilization of ion chambers and alpha scintillation detectors is provided

Search for Peanut Butter Product Recalls Related to Salmonella Outbreak
In order to make it easier for consumers to determine whether any of the peanut butter-containing products they have at home are subject to recall, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created and posted an expanded, searchable database that will be updated as new information becomes available. For information on products containing peanut butter from companies not reporting recalls, consumers may wish to consult the company's website or call the toll-free number listed on most packaging. Please note that information consumers may receive from the companies has not been verified by FDA.

Send a Winter Weather Preparedness E-Card to Friends and Family
Send a message to encourage others to take steps to prepare for winter storms and protect themselves from cold-related problems such as frostbite and hypothermia.

Severe Winter Weather: Learn How to Stay Warm and Safe
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm. You may have to cope with power failures, icy roads, and other dangerous conditions.

Smallpox Question and Answers: Vaccine Basics
New updates on smallpox vaccine questions and answers, including information on vaccination before and after exposure to smallpox, contraindications and screening, vaccination while pregnant or breastfeeding, and vaccine storage and distribution.

Smallpox: An Overview for Clinicians
New updates on smallpox questions and answers, including infection control and isolation of smallpox patients, and infection control issues for vaccinated healthcare workers.

Specific Emergencies Information for Pregnant Women
Emergencies can be a scary and stressful time, especially for pregnant women or women with infants or children. Though you may feel it is impossible to be ready for unexpected events, being prepared can help you avoid stress and put you in a better position to handle emergencies.

Training Opportunity: Disaster Medicine 201: Post-Earthquake Medical Challenges in the New Madrid Seismic Zone
May 7-8, 2009, Memphis, TN. This class is a big-picture overview of medical issues related to the earthquake threat in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. It was developed through the cooperation of CUSEC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The class is presented with the invaluable assistance of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The primary instructors are doctors with extensive backgrounds in emergency and disaster medicine. The class is intended for all medical personnel, including EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and doctors concerned with medical issues and operational concerns following an earthquake.

Twitter Feed for CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
Now you can follow emergency.CDC.gov on Twitter. The CDCemergency Twitter feed provides frequent updates related to both preparedness for future emergencies and response to current emergencies.

Two New Emergency-Related RSS Feeds Available From CDC
CDC has just launched RSS feeds for two of the most popular sections of the emergency.CDC.gov website: 1) Recent Outbreaks and Incidents, which provides information on selected public health emergency topics of recent public interest, ranging from Salmonella outbreaks to hurricanes to terrorism, and 2) Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA), which reaches out to the nation's clinicians with weekly updates and monthly conference calls.

UPDATE: 2010 Gulf Oil Spill - Health Surveillance
CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

UPDATE: CDC Earthquakes website
In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury from falling objects (and even building collapse) if you immediately: Drop! Cover! Hold On!

PDF - After An Earthquake
Haitian Creole

UPDATE: CDC Responds to Hurricane 2011 Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with state and local governments, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal agencies to help communities recover from Hurricane Irene. Irene made U.S. landfall along the East Coast on Saturday, August 27 and continued to move northeast as a tropical storm.

UPDATE: CDC Responds to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health.

UPDATE: CDC Responds to the Haiti Earthquake
CDC is working with others in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), various branches of the U.S. military, and other federal and international agencies to help communities in Haiti recover from the powerful earthquake that struck the country on January 12, 2010. CDC's current response focuses on collaborating with national and international partners to meet urgent public health needs and establishing liaisons and coordination needed for successful, long range public health programs in response to the earthquake. As of February 23, 2010, 323 CDC staff are currently engaged in response activities, of these 23 CDC staff are deployed to Haiti and other response agencies.

UPDATE: COCA Email Updates: September 12 - October 11, 2011
COCA Email Updates: September 12 - October 11, 2011

UPDATE: Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

UPDATE: Fact Sheet: Landslides and Mudslides
Updated information about what causes landslides and debris flows and what you can do to protect yourself from the health threats that they cause.

UPDATE: Frequently Asked Questions about a Radiation Emergency
What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation? What Preparations Can I Make for a Radiation Emergency? How Can I Protect Myself During a Radiation Emergency? Should I Take Potassium Iodide During a Radiation Emergency? and more.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - 2011 Hurricane Season End
Be Prepared For All Natural Disasters

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Chainsaw Safety After a Hurricane
Chainsaws can be very dangerous. Follow the instructions in the manual to safely operate the equipment. Wear protective equipment and never cut above your waist.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Clean up Supplies You Will Need After a Hurricane
Bring rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles with you when you evacuate. They will protect you from contaminated flood waters when you return after the storm.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Indoor Safety After a Hurricane
Always use portable generators, camp stoves, barbecue and charcoal grills outside and 25 feet away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent deadly CO poisoning.

Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening CDC's Emergency Response -- A CDC Report on Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (TPER)-Funded Activities
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on CDC activities in public health emergency preparedness. The report, Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening CDC's Emergency Response, explains the key role CDC plays in preparing the public health infrastructure to respond effectively to all types of hazards, and provides an overview of the broad range of preparedness activities receiving Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (TPER) funding. CDC accomplishments in preparedness are described. The report also details how CDC is addressing challenges to achieve its overarching public health preparedness goal: People prepared for emerging health threats - people in all communities will be protected from infectious, occupational, environmental, and terrorist threats.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Learn How to Shut Off Utilities before a Hurricane Hits
If the power goes out, turn off major appliances to reduce power surge when electricity is restored.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Power Outages During a Hurricane
Make sure that you have a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio available to receive official instructions and updates from local authorities if the power goes out.

UPDATE: Hurricane Health and Safety Tip - Securing Your Home During A Hurricane
Make plans in advance to secure your home. Protect your windows by installing storm shutters or board up windows with plywood.

UPDATE: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
Food may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state, local, or tribal health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.

UPDATE: Malaria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Malaria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

UPDATE: Population Monitoring After a Release of Radioactive Material
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared this fact sheet to help people understand how public health officials would monitor people following a radiological incident, and how this monitoring could be used to protect people’s health.

UPDATE: Radiation and Pregnancy: A Fact Sheet for the Public
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this fact sheet to help you understand the possible health effects to your fetus from exposure to radiation.

UPDATE: Shelter-in-Place in a Radiation Emergency
What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a dirty bomb, you may be asked to stay home and take shelter rather than try to evacuate. This action is called “sheltering in place.”

UPDATE: Tetanus Prevention After a Disaster
New message on the administering Tdap during pregnancy.

UPDATED: 2010 Gulf Oil Spill - Health Surveillance
CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

UPDATED: After an Earthquake: Management of Crush Injuries & Crush Syndrome
Crush injury and crush syndrome may result from structural collapse during an earthquake. Crush injury is defined as compression of extremities or other parts of the body that causes muscle swelling and/or neurological disturbances in the affected areas of the body.

UPDATED: CDC Responds to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health. Currently, 282 CDC and ATSDR staff members are involved in the response, including 14 staff members who are deployed to Gulf Coast states.

UPDATED: Earthquake Information for Clinicians
The "Interim Recommendations for Initial Domestic Medical Screening of Haitian Orphan Parolees" document, provides medical screening recommendations for diseases of public health importance in orphaned children entering the United States from Haiti under humanitarian parole status.

UPDATED: Emergency Wound Management for Healthcare Professionals
These principles can assist with wound management and aid in the prevention of amputations. In the wake of a flood disaster resources are limited. Following these basic wound management steps can help prevent further medical problems.

UPDATED: Fact Sheet for Patients after Amputations or Other Surgeries
Added link to CDC Podcast "Take Care of Yourself After an Amputation or Other Surgery".

UPDATED: Guidance for Relief Workers and Others Traveling to Haiti for Earthquake Response
This notice is to advise relief workers and other personnel traveling to Haiti to assist with the humanitarian response following the January 12 earthquake near Port-au-Prince. Conditions in the area remain hazardous, including extensive damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.

UPDATED: Gulf Oil Spill 2010 Health Surveillance
CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

UPDATED: Health Recommendations for Relief Workers Responding to Disasters
This notice provides advice specific to the needs of relief workers responding to disasters internationally or domestically.

UPDATED: How can I take care of my new arm or leg?
Added link to CDC Podcast "Taking Care of Your New Arm or Leg After an Amputation".

UPDATED: Malaria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action
Malaria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

UPDATED: Q & A: Anthrax and Animal Hide Drums
More updated questions and answers on Anthrax and Animal Hide Drums

VacStockpile: A Tool to Estimate the Potential Impacts for Stockpiling Vaccines for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases of Children
The VacStockpile has been designed to help planners and policy makers evaluate the potential health and cost impacts of stockpile decisions for each type of pediatric vaccine for an array of scenarios regarding possible vaccine shortages. The consequences of a vaccine shortage evaluated include potential doses of vaccine shortage, replenishment costs to replace stockpile doses that are used for shortages or discarded because of expiry of shelf life, and a number of potential health consequences (e.g., number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths) that may occur under various vaccine shortage scenarios. Although VacStockpile has been designed for use in the United States, it can be applied to other situations or locations where vaccine stockpiles are being maintained or considered.