Spring 2025 Disaster Plans – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

May 30, 2025

Aliya Jabri, Diya Mehta, and Maya Moukarzel’s Mpox 2025 Disaster Plan in Partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières

There have been nearly 8,000 cases of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a case fatality rate of nearly 5%. Education, access to health care providers, and vaccination are necessary factors needed to mitigate and prevent Mpox outbreak in the DRC. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) is working to ensure Mpox prevention through vaccination and increased care for those with severe symptoms.

May 15, 2025May 15, 2025

Maya McClatchy, Kate Dewey, and Howard Glassman’s Emergency Disaster Plan: Wildfires in Malibu

Introduction: The city of Malibu has a long and calamitous history of wildfires. Malibu’s location on the southern coast of California is what has made it a beloved destination, but it also leaves the city at constant risk of wildfires. The ecological makeup of the region is defined by dry plant matter that dries, frequent droughts, and the Santa Ana winds. In combination with increasing urbanization, these factors put the population at constant and increasing risk from wildfires. This plan is intended to support a more coordinated response between local, county, and state level agencies in the event of future wildfires, and to define strategies to more efficiently deploy emergency resources and protect the lives and property in Malibu.

May 15, 2025May 15, 2025

Kimberly Tang, Mark Alicea, Leonela Tutasig’s Emergency Disaster Plan: Wildfires in Los Angeles

Introduction: Wildfires are a persistent and growing threat in California. With climate change, prolonged drought, and expanding urban development in fire-prone areas, wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Los Angeles is vulnerable to wildfires due to its proximity to fire-prone landscapes, dense vegetation, and dry, wind-driven conditions. It is crucial for communities to have structured prevention, response, and evacuation plans in place. Given the increasing wildfire risks, it is essential to have a structured response plan that strengthens mitigation strategies, streamlines evacuation efficiency, and enhances overall community resilience through coordinated efforts with local, state, and federal agencies.

May 15, 2025May 15, 2025

Safa Shuaib, Iman Yusuf, and Savannah Bush’s Emergency Disaster Plan: Polio in Sudan

Introduction: Poliomyelitis (Polio) has been eliminated in many parts of the world; however, it still affects certain areas, such as Sudan. Sudan is currently going through a Polio outbreak, which is a critical public health challenge, especially for rural regions and places
affected by conflict. People have limited access to vaccines and medical care, which
makes it harder to control the spread of diseases in these areas. This Disaster Plan outlines
strategies for an organized response to reduce the spread of Polio quickly.

May 15, 2025May 15, 2025

Sydney Bertinetti, Edward Rosenbaum, and Tony Shen’s Emergency Disaster Plan: Tornado in the Bay Area

Introduction: Although tornadoes are rare in the San Francisco Bay Area, recent studies suggest that shifting climate patterns may increase the risk of anomalous weather events, including severe windstorms and localized tornado-like phenomena. This plan is designed as a proactive measure to safeguard public safety and ensure rapid response should such an event occur.