Information for the Public - FAQs:

What can I do to prevent illness after a hurricane or other natural disaster?

Often the most vulnerable time during a natural disaster comes after the event has occurred. To protect yourself and your loved ones, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you begin with a plan to recover that takes into account each of the following disease prevention activities:

Protect yourself from animal- and insect-related hazards
- Learn More:
  - Updated Information Regarding Insect Repellents - West Nile Virus (CDC)
  - Rabies Home (CDC)
  - Rat-Bite Fever (CDC)
  - NIOSH Interim Guidance on Health and Safety Hazards When Working with Displaced Domestic Animals (CDC)
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
- Learn More:
  - You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure (CDC)
  - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After a Disaster (CDC)
Clean up safely after flooding
- Learn More: Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency (CDC)
Keep your food and drinking water safe
- Learn More:
Prevent the spread of infectious diseases
- Learn More:
  - Infectious Disease After a Disaster (CDC)
  - Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School (CDC)
Make sure immunizations are up-to-date
- Learn More: Immunizations After a Natural Disaster (CDC)
Protect your mental health
- Learn More:
  - Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event (CDC)
  - Hurricane Mental Health Awareness Tips and Resources (SAMHSA)
Prevent temperature-related illnesses
- Learn More:
  - Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety (CDC)
  - Frequently Asked Questions about Extreme Heat (CDC)
Prevent or treat wounds
- Learn More: Emergency Wound Care After a Natural Disaster (CDC)
Don't forget to care for on-going health conditions
- Learn More: Safe Drug Use after a Natural Disaster (FDA)

Where can I find emergency information for Health and Safety Professionals?

Links to emergency information for Health and Safety Professionals is listed below.

If you are a member of the general public…

If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological, chemical or radiological agent, or if you believe an intentional threat will occur or is occurring, please call 911.

If you have a health-related question that is not an emergency, please contact CDC.

If you are a health professional or government official…

CDC maintains a 24/7 Emergency Operations Center to assist local, state, and federal agencies. We also assist healthcare providers with questions on emergency patient care.
NOTE: this line is not intended for the general public.

All other questions for CDC

Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov. (For TTY, call 1-888-232-6348.)

Other important contacts

State and Local Health Departments
Regional Poison Control Centers:
1-800-222-1222
CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response:
404-639-7405
CDC Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response:
404-639-0385
CDC National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
770-488-7100

General

National Center for Environmental Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch (EPRB)
24-Hour Emergency Telephone for Health Professionals or Government Officials: (770) 488-7100

Hurricane-Related Information for Health Care Professionals (CDC)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/hcp.asp

CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

Medlinelus Disaster Preparation and Recovery (NIH)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/disastersandemergencypreparedness.htm

Technical Assistance: Child Care

Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources for Child Care Programs
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/initiatives/emergency/provider_resources.htm

Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Grantees http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/initiatives/emergency/ccdf_resources.htm

Worker Safety

Storm/Flood and Hurricane Response (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/flood.html

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory Guidance Documents: Protecting Emergency Responders (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/guidancedocs/rand.html

Hurricane Information for Response and Cleanup Workers (CDC)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/workers.asp

Worker Safety After a Flood (CDC)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/workersafety.asp

Emergency Response Resources (CDC/NIOSH)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/flood.html

Traumatic Incident Stress: Information For Emergency Response Workers (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2002-107/

Drugs and Medical Devices

Emergency Preparedness Response (FDA):
http://www.fda.gov/EmergencyPreparedness/default.htm

Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching between Products in an Emergency (FDA):
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/ucm085213.htm

FDA Offers Tips about Medical Devices and Hurricane Disasters:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/emergency/hurricane.html