The CDC's disease prevention efforts include educating the public on how to recognize and avoid contracting common infectious diseases, such as the flu and strep throat.
DISASTERS Hurricane Katrina approaches landfall on the Gulf coast. Very little on land or water was spared by the storm when it struck in 2005. (Image from NOAA) Hurricane Katrina caused devastating personal, social, economic, and cultural losses. This image shows homes destroyed by the storm in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. (Image from
In the United States, the Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines are densely populated and many regions lie less than 3m (10 ft) above mean sea level. In August 1969, Hurricane Camille, the second most intense hurricane on record to hit the United States, produced a storm tide of 7.5 m (24.6 ft) at Pass Christian, MS. The combination of Camilleâs winds, surges, and rainfall caused 256 deaths (143 on the Gulf Coast and 113 in the Virginia floods) and $1.421 billion in damage.