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S. Epidemics, Pandemics, Disease — Hazard Identification. <br /> Infectious diseases emerging throughout history have included <br /> some of the most feared plagues of the past. New infections <br /> continue to emerge today, while many of the old plagues are <br /> still with us. As demonstrated by influenza epidemics, under <br /> suitable circumstances, a new infection first appearing <br /> anywhere in the world could travel across entire continents <br /> within days or weeks (Morse, 1995). Due to the potential of <br /> complex health and medical conditions that can threaten the <br /> general population, Florida's vulnerability to an epidemic is <br /> continually being monitored. With millions of tourists arriving <br /> and departing the state annually, disease and disease <br /> exposure (airborne, vector, and ingestion) are constantly <br /> evaluated and analyzed. <br /> Primarily as a result of the entrance of undocumented aliens <br /> into south Florida, and the large number of small wildlife, <br /> previously controlled or eradicated diseases have surfaced. <br /> Health officials closely monitor this potential threat to the public <br /> health. The emphasis upon preventive medical measures such <br /> as school inoculation, pet licensing, rodent/insect eradication, <br /> water purification, sanitary waste disposal, health inspections, <br /> and public health education mitigate this potential disaster. <br /> Another potential threat to south Florida's population is food <br /> contamination. Frequent news stories document that E. coli <br /> and botulism breakouts throughout the country are not that <br /> uncommon. Most recently, millions of pounds of possibly <br /> contaminated beef from the Hudson packing plant were seized <br /> by the Department of Agriculture and destroyed. <br /> Extent. Due to the low probability of occurrence, this hazard <br /> will not be fully profiled. <br /> Because epidemics are hazards that are not bounded by <br /> geographic or topographic characteristics, there are no definite <br /> means to determine whether or not the extent of this hazard <br /> differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction within Indian River <br /> County. <br /> Vulnerability Assessment. Florida is more vulnerable than <br /> many other states to possible outbreaks of infectious diseases <br /> due to the large number of international and U.S. tourists it <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 56 <br />