Hurricane Sandy, 2013 Preparedness Summit, New Reports

Hurricane Sandy updates, prepared by Working Group on Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness.

• Huffington Post: Healthcare System Bends Under Hurricane Sandy But Doesn’t Break.
• Bellevue hospital is being evacuated.
• NPR: Sandy Leaves Long List of Health Threats.
• ABC News: Sandy’s Blackout Threatens to Destroy Trove of Medical Research. 
• FEMA Press release: FEMA and Federal Partners Continue Steadfast Support for Areas Affected by Superstorm.
• HHS: More than 500 HHS personnel are deployed to provide assistance to states. HHS’ Sandy page.
• Sec. Sebelius declared a public health emergency for NY.
• HHS is encouraging healthcare professionals who would like to volunteer to register with ESAR-VHP.
• Another major disaster response issue to consider, Sandy Knocks out 25% of Cell Service in Its Path.
• Individuals and businesses in CT, NY and NJ can apply for disaster assistance. And how to avoid scams.
• CDC’s hurricane preparedness & response resources, including safety, mental health, and food safety.
• The 2013 Public Health Preparedness Summit, which will take place March 12-15 in Atlanta, has announced its opening plenary session: A Community United: An Integrated Response to the Aurora Mass Shooting.
• CIDRAP: FDA Probe Prompts Recall from Second Compounding Pharmacy.
• The October 2012 Public Health Practices update is available, including a focus on protecting the health of pregnant women and infants during an emergency, climate change, and other topics.
• National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will be held Dec. 2-8, 2012. Visit www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw for related updates and to submit your NIVW activities to the calendar of events.
• GAO has publicly released a report prepared in September: FDA Can Better Oversee Food Imports by Assessing and Leveraging Other Countries’ Oversight Resources.
• It’s Diabetes Month, and flu.gov has information about the unique risks associated with diabetes and the flu.
• CIDRAP: CDC: Extensive Swine Contact was Key in H3N2v Cases.