A public health and environment reconnaissance team visited the Gulf Coast in October 2005. The team¿s efforts extended from New Orleans to the parishes north of Lake Pontchartrain to the Louisiana-Texas border. The primary study areas were Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Washington, Calcasieu, and Cameron parishes. The report provides information on the public health aspects of the site visit and reviews the environmental infrastructure observations. Infectious diseases accounted for 37% of the illnesses recorded. Skin or wound infections were diagnosed in 40% and acute respiratory infections in 32% of the infectious disease cases. Hurricanes disrupted drinking water service to five million people.

Illustrations.