Citation

Brewer RD, Morris PD, Cole TB. Ann. Emerg. Med. 1994; 23(4): 731-736.

Affiliation

Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8161040

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the public health impact of a hurricane on an inland area. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Seven hospital emergency departments. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who were treated from September 22 to October 6, 1989, for an injury or illness related to Hurricane Hugo. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over the two-week study period, 2,090 patients were treated for injuries or illnesses related to the hurricane. Of these, 1,833 (88%) were treated for injuries. Insect stings and wounds accounted for almost half of the total cases. A substantial proportion (26%) of the patients suffering from stings had a generalized reaction (eg, hives, wheezing, or both). Nearly one-third of the wounds were caused by chain saws. CONCLUSION: Hurricanes can lead to substantial morbidity in an inland area. Disaster plans should address risks associated with stinging insects and hazardous equipment and should address ways to improve case reporting.