Press Releases

Katrina Raises Health Concerns
PAHO Director Offers Help to U.S. Health Secretary Mike Leavitt

Public health experts are evaluating the health impact of hurricane Katrina and its aftermath among survivors in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. (01 September 2005) Read More

Newsworthy

Central American Ministers Pay Homage to Hurricane Victims

The Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic, at their annual RESSCAD meeting which opened August 31 in Belize, paid tribute to victims of Hurricane Katrina and offered their solidarity to the government of the U.S. by observing a moment of silence.

Is there a risk of storm disease?
The US government has declared a public health emergency following Hurricane Katrina. But just how likely is it that diseases will take a hold?

Michael Leavitt, secretary of health and human services, said a public health emergency was in place from Louisiana to Florida. He warned there were grave concerns about cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases, while others said West Nile Virus could be a problem. But health experts are predicting the impact will be somewhat more limited. Read More (external link)

Google News: roundup of hundreds of stories and photos about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

PAHO Disaster Management Tools

Links

For additional information on natural disasters, please visit the Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance Page of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Area of the Pan American Health Organization.

	The Pan American Health Organization Promoting Health in the Americas