CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

Emergencies can be a scary and stressful time, especially for pregnant women or women with infants or children. Though you may feel it is impossible to be ready for unexpected events, being prepared can help you avoid stress and put you in a better position to handle emergencies.

If you are pregnant or someone with infants or young children, find out how to plan for an emergency or disaster. This fact sheet will help you prepare for emergency birth, prepare for an emergency or disaster, evacuate, stay in a shelter or place other than your home, be prepared during and just after a disaster, and recover after a disaster.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention letter to Gulf Coast states regarding seafood safety due to the Gulf Oil Spill.

New fact sheet featuring disaster mental health resources - including Mental Health Information for Individuals and Families, Physicians and First Responders and Relief Workers.

Frequently asked questions as well as State and Federal links geared towards parents.

This information is for environmental exposures. These constituents are present to some degree in all crude oil. Different types of oil, like light sweet crude oil, have different levels of these chemicals. If reported data indicate specific public health risks, CDC will develop and publish recommended steps to stop or reduce exposure. Additional constituents may be added to this list as needed.

CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health. Currently, 260 CDC and ATSDR staff members are involved in the response, including 20 staff members who are deployed to Gulf Coast states.

The specific recommendations provided in this Interim Guidance focus on issues specific to the Deepwater Horizon Response and do not address issues common to all disaster response work activities.

CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health. Currently, 242 CDC and ATSDR staff members are involved in the response, including 21 staff members who are deployed to Gulf Coast states.

CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health. Updated content includes categories "Surveillance for Health Threats", "Worker Safety" and "Data Analysis".

CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

CDC, along with the affected Gulf Coast states, has developed a plan to track potential short-term health effects related to the oil spill. Surveillance systems track changes in the number and severity of illnesses and injuries in a population, alerting public health officials to trends that require further investigation.

CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize the importance of anticipating, monitoring and responding to any potential public health hazards that may affect human health.

Rabies: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 23 - 29.

People can be exposed to hazardous substances related to the spill by breathing them (air), by swallowing them (food, water), or by touching them (skin).

Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

An explosion aboard the Deep Water Horizon sinks the drilling rig, causing oil to spill into the Gulf of Mexico.

Malaria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action