Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Deputy Director, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, 2223 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027, 713.439.6184, ushah@harriscountyhealth.com and Herminia Palacio, MD, MPH, Executive Director, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, 2223 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027.

BACKGROUND

During a three week period in August-September 2005, over 25,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees were sheltered at the Reliant/Astrodome Complex in Harris County, Texas. Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) provided for a transient yet comprehensive public health response within the overall established National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) structure.

METHODS/RESULTS

The public health response initiated by HPCHES utilized a NIMS-compliant command structure for medical operations. The public health system established included conducting disease and syndromic surveillance; implementing a variety of communicable disease control strategies; ensuring food safety, environmental safety, and sanitation; administering mass vaccinations; managing animal control issues; developing health education messages; and overseeing public health and medical media issues. During the period of medical branch operations, there was an outbreak of acute gastrointestinal illness involving over 1000 evacuees, which was curtailed using these public health measures, in combination with other medical systems put in place.

DISCUSSION

While emergency situations call for making decisions and adjustments based on the changing context of the situation, public health agencies can ready themselves in advance by undergoing proper training within the context of command and control systems. As shown by this public health response, the health and well-being of all persons involved – whether responder or community member -- must be considered in every activity occurring in any such operation. The ability to develop expediently this type of comprehensive public health infrastructure allows for agencies to respond to a variety of disasters utilizing many of the same principles learned in this experience.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Understand the complex interplay of public health issues involved in a mass sheltering operation
• Recognize the need for public health planning & training within command and control structures

Keywords: Emergency, Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered