A “public health emergency” may be defined as an event, either natural or manmade, that
creates a health risk to the public.
What could be considered a public health emergency?
What does my county health department do
in case of public health emergency?
The Marion County Health Department detects and responds to public health emergencies to
keep your family safe by:
Surveillance
“Surveillance” or the tracking or health-related changes or patterns by the Marion County
Health Department team is the foundation of preparedness for a public health emergency. This
means health care specialists collect, analyze, and interpret data in
order to predict health events.
Investigation
The Marion County Health Department investigates reported illnesses
and disease outbreaks and personally interviews victims in order to collect and document illness
signs and symptoms. This information helps to develop case definitions so that others suffering
from the same infection/contamination can be identified and treated.
Response
The Marion County Health Department is ready to respond immediately with the staff,
medications, and action plans needed to keep your family safe during a public health
emergency. In the event of a public health emergency, your health department team:
Recovery
The Marion County Health Department provides help and recovery in the aftermath of an
emergency or disaster as a partner with other emergency responders. How does your health
department team assist?
creates a health risk to the public.
What could be considered a public health emergency?
- Natural disasters
- Severe weather (storms heavy rains, lightning strikes)
- Tornado
- Blizzard
- Flood
- Hurricane
- Disease Outbreaks
- Influenza outbreak
- Botulism
- Salmonella
- West Nile Virus
- SARS
- Contaminated Drinking Water
- Biological Threat (deliberate or accidental)
- Anthrax
- Small Pox
- Cholera
- Pneumonic Plague
- Others
- Chemical Threat (deliberate or accidental)
- May be in the form of a gas, solid, or liquid
- Household chemical
- Hazardous materials waste
- Radiological Threat
- Nuclear power plant emergency
- Bomb
What does my county health department do
in case of public health emergency?
The Marion County Health Department detects and responds to public health emergencies to
keep your family safe by:
- Surveillance or monitoring any health-related changes or patterns
- Investigating underlying causes
- Responding as part of a team
- Providing recovery
- Planning ahead for emergency situations
- Educating citizens about emergency preparedness
Surveillance
“Surveillance” or the tracking or health-related changes or patterns by the Marion County
Health Department team is the foundation of preparedness for a public health emergency. This
means health care specialists collect, analyze, and interpret data in
order to predict health events.
Investigation
The Marion County Health Department investigates reported illnesses
and disease outbreaks and personally interviews victims in order to collect and document illness
signs and symptoms. This information helps to develop case definitions so that others suffering
from the same infection/contamination can be identified and treated.
Response
The Marion County Health Department is ready to respond immediately with the staff,
medications, and action plans needed to keep your family safe during a public health
emergency. In the event of a public health emergency, your health department team:
- Responds as part of a county-wide team
- Follows a County Emergency Operations Plan
- Communicates with the local media to keep you informed
Recovery
The Marion County Health Department provides help and recovery in the aftermath of an
emergency or disaster as a partner with other emergency responders. How does your health
department team assist?
- Making sure the food and water supply are safe
- Ensuring appropriate sanitation practices are followed
- Following up on surveillance issues for infectious disease or radiation exposure
- Linking people to community resources
- Planning Ahead
The Marion County Health Department has the staff, medications, and
action plans in place to keep you and your family safe.
Education
The Marion County Health Department educates you and your family
about emergency preparedness.
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