Initial Public Health Laboratory Response after Hurricane Maria
- Following Hurricane Maria, public services in Puerto Rico were severely affected, including the operation of the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) which provides critical laboratory testing and surveillance for diseases and other health hazards.
- The PRDOH identified repair of the public health laboratories as a major priority during the post-hurricane response and requested assistance from CDC with clinical testing as well as with structural and safety assessments to help guide the restoration process.
- CDC worked closely with PRDOH, and other federal, state, and non-governmental partners in providing technical support and aid in reestablishing laboratory operations during the emergency response.
“CDC worked closely with the Puerto Rico Department of Health to re-establish laboratory operations in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Health departments may find it helpful to incorporate the practices used in Puerto Rico to help re-establish diagnostic testing and disease surveillance quickly after a natural disaster.”
-Brunilis (Brunie) White, PhD, LLS Fellow
[JPG - 11 MB]Brunie Burgos White, PhD, an LLS Fellow with CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, conducts laboratory work.
CDC Media Relations
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Brunilis (Brunie) White, PhD, LLS Fellow
CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention
Division of STD Prevention
Education: PhD (Genetics): The University of Georgia, 2012; BS: The University of Georgia, 2006
Work Experience: Microbiologist, CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division on Bacterial Diseases, Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, IHRC Inc. Contractor, 2012-2016