Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease - by Ali S. Khan

Vampire Diaries: When Preparedness Hits Home - by Cyndi Rilling

The United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases in 2011, many of which were acquired during international travel. From January 1 through June 17 this year, 156 confirmed cases of measles were reported to CDC. This is the highest reported number since 1996. Most cases (136) were associated with importations from measles-endemic countries or countries where large outbreaks are occurring.

Vampire Diaries: Getting Back to My Roots Through a Deadly Outbreak - by Lizette Durand

Killer Strain: Anthrax - by Ali S. Khan

CDC is monitoring a large outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 (STEC O104:H4) infections ongoing in Germany.

NOTE TO READERS: This advisory is an FDA notice that is being distributed via CDC’s Health Alert Network. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that parents, caregivers, and health care providers should not feed the thickening product called SimplyThick to infants born before 37 weeks gestation because it may cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue.

With June 1st only days away, FEMA, CDC and the rest of the team are busy preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. And now that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, you can take steps to prepare for hurricane season, too.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse - by Ali S. Khan

The CDC has launched a new Facebook page for Emergency Preparedness and Response. This page will keep you informed about how to be prepared for public health emergencies and disasters and provide information needed to protect and save lives during an event. Become a fan today! “Like” the page on www.facebook.com/cdcemergency to receive updates, participate in future conversations, and more.

A - Z dictionary glossary.

Radiation Emergencies homepage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this fact sheet to help you understand the possible health effects to your fetus from exposure to radiation.

When scientists measure radiation, they use different terms depending on whether they are discussing radiation coming from a radioactive source, the radiation dose absorbed by a person, or the risk that a person will suffer health effects (biological risk) from exposure to radiation. This fact sheet explains some of the terminology used to discuss radiation measurement.

Radioactive contamination and radiation exposure could occur if radioactive materials are released into the environment as the result of an accident, an event in nature, or an act of terrorism. Such a release could expose people and contaminate their surroundings and personal property.

In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a radioactive dirty bomb, you may need to leave your home or the immediate area (evacuate).

In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a dirty bomb, you may be asked to stay home and take shelter rather than try to evacuate. This action is called “sheltering in place.”

What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation? and more.

This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

If a radiation emergency occurs, people can take actions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets. Emergency workers and local officials are trained to respond to disaster situations and will provide specific actions to help keep people safe.