The mental health effects of natural disasters like floods or earthquakes
are fairly well documented, but there are almost no data on the mental health
consequences of infectious disease outbreaks, according to the Center for the
Study of Traumatic Stress. The center is part of the Department of Psychiatry
at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda,
Md.
Nevertheless, from existing research and experience stemming from past
disasters, the center offers a number of guidelines for clinicians and the
public in preparing for the outcomes of a severe outbreak of novel influenza A
(H1N1) flu.