At a glance
CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support the response to Hurricane Katrina.
About the Response
Hurricane Katrina struck the coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi on August 29, 2005, causing substantial numbers of deaths among both humans and animals, infrastructure damage, and flooding.
CDC/ATSDR deployed members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, and federal civilian personnel to provide technical support and additional personnel for critical public health functions.
These functions included public health needs assessment; disease surveillance; laboratory support; prevention and control of infectious diseases, including foodborne, waterborne, and vector-borne diseases; mental health services; sanitation and water quality; chemical-exposure management; and injury prevention and control.