Hurricane Katrina-Related Injuries and Immunizations among Gulf Coast Evacuees Sheltered in Houston, Texas, September 2005

Background. After Hurricane Katrina and a decline in the living conditions at a major New Orleans shelter, evacuees were bused to a Houston mega-shelter. The Katrina Clinic was quickly organized to treat acute injuries/illnesses and chronic conditions. The purpose of this analysis is to document the nature, extent and location of 1,130 injuries treated at the Katrina Clinic during September 1-22, 2005. We also document the extent of injury among 50 emergency medical services transfers to Houston-area hospitals.

Methods. We compare the injury frequency among Katrina evacuees to a national database of injuries seen in a typical outpatient setting. Using the Barell Matrix and ICD-9-CM Codes, we classify Katrina injuries by body region and nature of injury, describe late effect injuries due to untimely medical treatment and exposure to environmental conditions, and document the large number of distributed immunizations.

Results. Our results indicate a 42% higher proportion of injuries among Katrina evacuees compared to outpatients. Wound injuries to the leg, particularly the lower leg, feet and toes, were among the most common injuries treated at the Katrina Clinic and transported to hospitals. The Barell Matrix established the disproportionally superficial nature of these injuries to extremities, particularly open wounds. We found that half of evacuees received immunizations for hurricane-related injuries or vaccination lapse, primarily adult diphtheria-tetanus.

Conclusions. Future planning for hurricanes should take into account nonfatal injuries requiring medical treatment and other supportive care. Families should assemble a disaster supplies kit including a complete change of footwear for each family member.