Rabies and Public Health History Epidemiology Pathogenesis Response.
Federal Epidemiology Response to Hurricane Sandy Amy Wolkin, MSPH Disaster Epidemiology and Response...
-
Upload
kerrie-matthews -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
2
Transcript of Federal Epidemiology Response to Hurricane Sandy Amy Wolkin, MSPH Disaster Epidemiology and Response...
Federal Epidemiology Response to Hurricane Sandy
Amy Wolkin, MSPHDisaster Epidemiology and Response Team
Health Studies BranchNational Center for Environmental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Environmental HealthDivision of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects
Federal Response
Disaster Epidemiology Activities
Rapid Needs Assessment NYC assess mental health impact Modified CASPER sampling strategy
Surveillance Future studies with Supplemental Sandy
funds
Disaster Epidemiology Activities
Rapid Needs Assessment NYC assess mental health impact Modified CASPER sampling strategy
Surveillance Future studies with Supplemental Sandy
funds
Surveillance
Challenges to Surveillance in Disaster Settings Infrastructure damage
• Widespread power outages• Damage to phone lines
Travel challenges• Roads flooded, washed away• Roads blocked with downed trees and power lines• Gasoline shortages and rationing
Sources American Red Cross Morbidity Surveillance American Red Cross Mortality Surveillance
American Red Cross Shelter Surveillance
Since 1987 CDC has collaborated with Red Cross on disaster health surveillance
MOU to advance coordination of post disaster surveillance activities
Data on disaster-related fatalities collected during condolence visits by Red Cross volunteers
Data collected from shelters with medical stations using client health data transmitted to CDC, analyzed at CDC, and reported back to Red Cross and partners
Shelter Surveillance- New Jersey
Red Cross volunteers in NJ overwhelmed; requested assistance from CDC to collect shelter surveillance data
CDC collaborated with NJ DOH to collect shelter data and implement a sustainable method for remote reporting
Field team focused on largest shelters, those expecting to remain open the longest and those with Red Cross Health Services (21 of 93 NJ shelters)
Data sent daily to CDC; data was aggregated and summarized in daily report
Shelter Surveillance- New Jersey
Aggregate, syndromic data Captured health needs: acute, follow-up, exacerbation of
chronic condition, injury About 50% presented with acute symptoms; 33% follow-
up care Data collection more complete and timely
with deployed staff; once established, process continued with smart phones
Based on recommendations, simplified surveillance form and created additional training materials
Alice Shumate will present results at conference – Wednesday 10:30 Environmental Health Session
Shelter Surveillance- New York
NY data collected via Red Cross volunteers (CDC not deployed to assist)
Surveillance in Red Cross shelters, NY shelters (after 2 first 2 weeks)
Surveillance with outreach services Includes household visits, hotline calls, distribution
centers, hotel visits Outreach teams targeted multiple geographic areas
Most common reason for visits were follow-up care, mental health and exacerbation of chronic conditions
EOC Surveillance Reports
Collate data from various surveillance sources
Create comprehensive national picture Difficult because of varied data collection
methods
Red Cross Mortality Surveillance
Red Cross tracks disaster-related deaths to provide condolence services to surviving family members
Actively search for reports of deaths (e.g., funeral home directors, FEMA, hospitals, media)
Red Cross Condolence Teams (health services, disaster mental health, spiritual care) complete Mortality Forms
Captured demographics, circumstance of death, categorized as direct/indirect, location of injury/death
Deaths Associated with Hurricane Sandy
Red Cross surveillance captured 117 deaths in 6 states up to Nov. 30, 2012 57% directly-related (34% drowning, 16% trauma) 32% indirectly-related (e.g., CO poisoning, fall)
Deaths Associated with Hurricane Sandy- Findings
Despite advances in hurricane warning and evacuation system, drowning remains leading cause of hurricane-related deaths (1/3 of deaths)
Over half of drowning deaths occurred in decedent's home
Majority of homes were located in NYC evacuation zone that flooded
Hurricane response plans should ensure persons receive and comprehend evacuation messages and have necessary resources to comply with them
Future studies with Supplemental Sandy funds
Characterization of morbidity and mortality among populations impacted by Sandy FOA to provide research in priority areas to aid recovery
from the public health impact of Sandy Characterize outcomes, mental health impact, risk
factors Study with Poison Centers to investigate CO
exposures Survey CO exposures to understand circumstance of
exposure Determine risk factor and prevention strategies
Mortality surveillance evaluation Compare death certificates, Red Cross data, and media
reports Determine accuracy of media reports for use as timely
data
Questions?
Contact informationAmy Wolkin
The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention