Update Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
MEMORANDUM
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TO: |
Local Health Departments and Regional Offices of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Hospital Infection Control Practitioners, Hospital Emergency Departments, Hospital Administrators, Infectious Disease Specialists and Illinois Chapters of the American Red Cross |
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FROM: |
Kathleen Kelly-Shannon, Assistant Chief Communicable Disease Control Section Karen McMahon, Chief Immunization Section |
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DATE: |
September 8, 2005 |
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SUBJECT: |
Update Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort |
This is to inform you the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Division of Communications has updated the Department’s web-site (www.idph.state.il.us/hurricane/index.htm) to contain guidance on the diverse topics involved with response to Hurricane Katrina. The website will be updated to reflect any changes or additional recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the IDPH. This information will be of special importance since many Illinois communities are providing shelter for persons displaced by the hurricane.
Historically, widespread outbreaks of infectious disease following hurricanes in the United States are not common but surveillance for clusters of infectious disease should be encouraged especially among persons living in community shelters.
Surveillance for infectious diseases or conditions should include the following:
- Gastrointestinal Illness
- Influenza-Like Illness
- Chronic Cough
- Wound Infection
- Sore Throat
- Febrile Illness
Health Care Providers are asked to rapidly report to their local health department any infections required to be reported to the Department in addition to any unusual cluster of illnesses identified among persons displaced from their homes especially those living in community shelters.
We thank you for your continued support of this community effort. Questions regarding the hurricane Katrina relief effort may be directed to your local health department, your regional office of the Illinois Department of Public Health or this office at (217) 782-2016.