If you've been reading the news the past few weeks, you may have heard about the recent outbreak of pertussis that has reached epidemic levels in Washington. Outbreaks reported in schools and communities as well as the beginning of summer camp season highlight the importance of public awareness. View the Pertussis Disease Villain's rap sheet to find out more about this public health nemesis.

Plan ahead of time where you and your family will go if you have to evacuate. Know how to prepare your home and car before a hurricane arrives.

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states to investigate a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroup O145 (STEC O145) infections. A total of 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O145 infection have been identified in 6 states.

The eradication of polio is an important priority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of early 2012, the world is not on track to eradicate polio by the end of the year. Yet, we are closer than we have ever been to eradicating polio and it is critical that we take advantage of this opportunity.

Remember to check your emergency kit from last season. Make sure that you have everything you need. Replace expired items such as food and medicine.

The 2012 Hurricane Season starts June 1st. Are you ready?

Summer isn't just the season for beach vacations and backyard BBQ's it's also the season for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Not sure what that is? Check out our latest blog post written by a mom with first-hand experience and tips on treating a toddler with HFMD.

The Laboratory Response Network is charged with the task of maintaining an integrated network of state and local public health, federal, military, and international laboratories that can respond to bioterrorism, chemical terrorism and other public health emergencies.

Last year CDC told you how to prepare for a zombie apocalypse (along with more realistic disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes), this year we're featuring zombie preparedness stories from across the nation.

This demonstrates how the funding CDC provides to states for public health preparedness and response is being used to protect the public's health every day. These dollars are an incredibly important way to connect the health care delivery system (e.g., hospitals and doctors offices) with public health and save on healthcare costs for everyone.

This week, CDC's Division of Strategic National Stockpile is practicing how it would respond to the release of anthrax in multiple locations across the nation. Four states - North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky - also are participating in this exercise so they, too, can test their abilities to respond.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend, as its highest priority recommendation, that people in the path of a tornado find a shelter or a tornado-safe room. The safest place in the home is the interior part of a basement. If possible, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench. If outdoors, lie down in a gully or ditch.

This time last year, storms ripped through the central and southern United States spawning more than 300 tornadoes and claiming hundreds of lives. This year we observed National Severe Weather Preparedness Week in memory of these tragic events and to encourage everyone to learn what to do when severe weather strikes.

With the 2012 Summer Olympics less than 100 days away, people around the world are preparing. Athletes are putting in their final weeks of training, London officials are getting the city ready for visitors, and spectators are making travel plans. In CDC's case, we're trying to make sure everyone's healthy for the big event.

One model approach for bringing communities together is the Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness. A "meta-leader" is a leader of leaders - someone who can mobilize people and organizations to collaborate in times of crisis.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, Sarasota County is no stranger to extreme weather and natural disasters. But as Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane says, "You don't have to be hit by a hurricane to be impacted by one."

Questions and answers about vaccines.

The Laboratory Response Network is charged with the task of maintaining an integrated network of state and local public health, federal, military, and international laboratories that can respond to bioterrorism, chemical terrorism and other public health emergencies.

Information, tools, and resources to assist in multi-sector planning for older adults in all-hazard emergencies.

I joined 2500 runners, 500 zombies and many more spectators at the Run for Your Lives race held just outside of Atlanta in Union Point, Georgia. Proceeds from the race went to the American Red Cross and CDC set up a booth where we had the opportunity to talk with other zombie enthusiasts about how preparing for a zombie apocalypse would help them prepare for any disaster.