Health and Human Services Response Update

The National MRC Office sent out this update Monday morning on Japan Earthquake response efforts.

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HHS Activities in Response to the Earthquake in Japan and Pacific Tsunami

March 13, 2011

To be prepared for requests for public health and medical assistance from the earthquake and tsunami, HHS deployed a Disaster Medical Assistance Team, an advanced logistics team, and a command and control team to Travis Air Force Base in California, along with a cache of medical equipment and supplies. From the Air Force base, the teams and cache could be deployed quickly to wherever they were needed to provide emergency medical care, staff medical shelters, augment community hospital staff, provide veterinary care, or conduct disaster mortuary operations at the request of states or territories in the region. The teams returned home when the danger passed in Hawaii and along the West Coast of the United States and FEMA stood down precautionary efforts in the region.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stands ready to provide public health and medical support to the government of Japan, although none has been requested at this time.

ASPR, FDA, and CDC are coordinating with the Dept of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and West Coast states on public messaging to address concerns about any release of radiation from damaged nuclear power plants in Japan reaching the United States. Although no public health risks are expected in the U.S., Washington State and Oregon are monitoring air and water as a precaution.