The American Red Cross defines disaster as “a threatening or occurring event of such destructive magnitude and force as to dislocate people, separate family members, damage or destroy homes, and injure or kill people. A disaster produces a range and level of immediate suffering and basic human needs that cannot be promptly or adequately addressed by the affected people, and impedes them from initiating and proceeding with their recovery efforts. Natural disasters include floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, winter storms, tsunamis, hail storms, wildfires, windstorms, epidemics, and earthquakes. Human-caused disasters — whether intentional or unintentional — include residential fires, building collapses, transportation accidents, hazardous materials releases, explosions, and domestic acts of terrorism.” (Discussion on the difficulties of arriving at a consensus definition of disaster) Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noji (1997) lists 5 phases of a disaster (also known as the Disaster Cycle): Nondisaster or Interdisaster phase Predisaster or Warning Phase Impact Phase Emergency Phase Reconstruction or Rehabilitation Phase According to Noji, a phase may last from a few seconds to month or years, with one phase merging into the next. Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples of disaster-caused illnesses and injuries: Earthquakes: crush injuries, lacerations, contusions, fractures, internal injuries such as pneumothorax, ruptured spleen, liver lacerations Hurricanes: drownings (storm surge); clean up injuries, including lacerations; burns (from unattended flames); gastrointestinal illness, dermal conditions, animal bites and stings; potential for vector transmitted illnesses Tornadoes: severe soft tissue injuries, such as contusions; complex lacerations; multiple fractures Floods: drownings, especially with flash floods; clean-up injuries (Noji, 1997) WMD/T: Will depend on event (e.g.: Problems stemming from the World Trade Center attack) Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chronic health conditions Conditions during and post-disaster may exacerbate chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease; COPD, asthma and other respiratory illnesses; metabolic disorders, such as diabetes; and immune system disorders. Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other CDE information organizations American Academy of Pediatrics Centers for Disease Control (bioterrorism page) Federal Emergency Management Agency - Are You Ready? Federal Emergency Management Agency - Resources for Parents and Teachers National Association of School Psychologists Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reputable sites include (but are not necessarily limited to): American Academy of Pediatrics American Red Cross Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Bioterrorism page for professionals) Center for Mental Health Services Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) bioterrorism articles National Institute of Mental Health National Library of Medicine - Medline Plus U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Use the browser's BACK button to return to the case study.