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Transcript CDC Presentation
Federal Epidemiology Response
to Hurricane Sandy
Amy Wolkin, MSPH
Disaster Epidemiology and Response Team
Health Studies Branch
National Center for Environmental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Environmental Health
Division 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 SandyFindings
Despite advances in hurricane warning and evacuation
system, drowning remains leading cause of hurricanerelated 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 information
Amy Wolkin
[email protected]
770-488-3402
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