1. Disaster Preparedness Michelle Ward

2.  The World Health Organization defines a disaster as “a situation which implies unforeseen, serious and immediate threats to public health”.  According to Lechat (1976), a disaster is “any unforeseen and sudden situation with which the affected community cannot cope”. What is a disaster?

3.  A few aspects that are studied under epidemiology in a disaster include:  - Death rates according to type of disaster  - Attack rates for diseases post disaster  - Impact deaths  - Post – impact deaths  - Long-term deaths  - Impact associated injuries Epidemiology in a Disaster

4. A Few Definitions…  Impact: when the disaster actually strikes.  Death-rate: the proportion of deaths to the population of the area involved.  Attack rate: a cumulative incidence rate used for particular groups observed for limited periods under special circumstances, such as during an epidemic.

5.  Simplicity- ease of operation  Flexibility- adapting to needs  Data Quality- validity  Acceptability- willingness of those reporting  Sensitivity/Specificity- case definition  Representativeness- of population over time  Timeliness  Stability- reliability Elements of Surveillance

6. Surveillance Cycle

7.  In Spring 2009, a respiratory infection caused by influenza virus was identified, the infection we now know as “swine flu” (H1N1).  A few months later the World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic because H1N1 (Swine Flu) related illnesses were being reported all over the world. Disaster Epidemiology In Action

8.  Event: Recognition of the virus in the healthcare setting.  Reporting: Healthcare providers reported the increased number of cases they were treating.  Data/Information: These reports were recorded, thus creating data and information.  Analysis and Interpretation: The data was then analyzed by epidemiologists at various institutions such as the CDC and the WHO. Applying the Surveillance Cycle: H1N1

9.  Decision: After analyzing the data, these organizations made a decision. H1N1 was a pandemic.  Intervention: Once a problem was identified, a campaign was launched to prevent the spread. Hand washing, recognition of symptoms, quarantine, and vaccination were methods used to control this pandemic flu.  Real world changes: Pandemic was controlled. Applying the Surveillance Cycle: H1N1

10. What types of epidemics result from disasters?  Foodborne illness  Waterborne illness  Mass bioterrorism  Long term effects  Example: Illness in livestock secondary to flooding.  Example: Contamination of drinking water during floods.  Example: Smallpox outbreak due to release of pathogens.  Example: Cancer incidence in those present at 9/11, Cancer incidence in those exposed to nuclear fallout

11.  Response is focused on prevention and control of the spread. Some interventions include:  Inoculation against disease  Isolation of those afflicted  Treatment of water supply  Quarantine of animals who may be diseased Response to Epidemics

12.  BE PREPARED, have a basic preparedness kit.  BE AWARE, know when storms are coming etc.  LISTEN, when you are warned to leave an area or told to stay indoors, heed the warning. Your Best Protection?

13. Components of a Preparedness Kit  One gallon of water, per person, per day, for 3 days  3 day supply of nonperishable food  Battery powered radio with batteries  Flashlight with batteries  First aid kit  Whistle  Dust mask for air contaminants  Duct tape and plastic sheeting to create shelter  Moist towelettes and garbage bags  Wrench or pliers  Manual can opener (for food)  Local maps  Cell phone with charger, inverter or solar charger

14.  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ATTACK+RATE  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1864304/  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2XdCqzD1w&noredirect=1  http://www.google.com/imgres?q=the+epidemiological+surveillance+cycle&hl=en&safe=off&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=5 71&tbm=isch&tbnid=UJ0tX_OVV3zYKM:&imgrefurl=http://www.femwiki.com/fem/w/fem/the-components-of- surveillance.aspx&docid=1celTHHFRSVFaM&imgurl=http://www.femwiki.com/resized- image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Wikis-Components-Files/00-00-00-00- 02/3531.image003.gif&w=550&h=313&ei=___TToezHebm0QH30_1O&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=483&sig=109988271755101 715439&page=1&tbnh=84&tbnw=148&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=91&ty=67  http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS01144/Swine-flu-H1N1-flu?q=swine+flu&qpvt=H1N1  http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit  http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000010  http://www.fema.gov/about/regions/regioniv/index.shtm#who  http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/div/EM/documents/NCEOP-2010-PublicVersion.pdf  http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/div/em/Documents/NCEMCommPlan-final.pdf  http://hurricanegustav.wordpress.com/category/handouts/  http://www.catawbacountync.gov/EmergencyServices/EManagement.asp References

15.  http://www.sph.utoronto.ca/Div_SBS.asp  http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpub.asp  http://www.bt.cdc.gov/socialmedia/  http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=4fd51a53f1c37110V gnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD  http://www.sdarc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2Bzm8dgdrPD4%3D&tabid=786  http://www.cphd.ucla.edu/pdfs/PsySTART%20Rapid%20Mental%20Health_WebRev.pdf  http://www.nctsn.org/content/psychological-first-aid  http://www.eyeofthestorminc.com/index_files/DefuseDebrief.htm References