U.S. Virgin Islands

2019 – Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) addressing Hurricanes Irma and Maria Recovery

Type: Recovery
Event: Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St Thomas, St John)
Purpose: To continue to monitor the community and the ongoing recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the USVI Department of Health conducted a fourth follow-up CASPER in October 2019 to (1) identify ongoing recovery needs within the community, (2) gauge the continuing community recovery process, (3) describe perceived physical health and behavioral health effects associated with the storms, (4) identify information gaps and preferred communication strategies for the hurricane response and recovery efforts, and (5) assess household characteristics associated with vector control.
Report: Unpublished report and Fact Sheet

2019 – Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) addressing Hurricanes Irma and Maria Recovery

Type: Recovery
Event: Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St Thomas, St John)
Purpose: To continue to monitor the community and the ongoing recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the USVI Department of Health conducted a third follow-up CASPER in May 2019 to (1) identify ongoing recovery needs within the community, (2) gauge the continuing community recovery process, (3) describe perceived physical health and behavioral health effects associated with the storms, (4) identify information gaps and preferred communication strategies for the hurricane response and recovery efforts, and (5) assess household characteristics associated with vector control.
Report: Unpublished report

2018 – Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) addressing Hurricanes Irma and Maria Recovery

Type: Recovery
Event: Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St Thomas, St John)
Purpose: To continue to monitor the community and the ongoing recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the USVI Department of Health conducted a second follow-up CASPER in November 2018 to (1) identify ongoing recovery needs within the community, (2) gauge the continuing community recovery process, (3) describe perceived physical health and behavioral health effects associated with the storms, (4) identify information gaps and preferred communication strategies for the hurricane response and recovery efforts, and (5) assess household characteristics associated with vector control.
Report: Unpublished report

2018 – Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) addressing Hurricanes Irma and Maria Recovery

Type: Recovery
Event: Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St Thomas, St John)
Purpose: To assist with ongoing recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the USVI Department of Health conducted a follow-up CASPER in February 2018 (3 months after the initial response CASPER) to (1) identify ongoing recovery needs within the community, (2) gauge the continuing community recovery process, (3) describe perceived physical health and behavioral health effects associated with the storms, (4) identify information gaps and preferred communication strategies for the hurricane response and recovery efforts, and (5) assess household characteristics associated with vector control.
Report: Addressing Community Needs During the Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts Through Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) – United States Virgin Islands, 2017-2018

2017 – Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) addressing Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Type: Response
Event: Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Location: St. Croix and St Thomas/St John
Purpose: To assist with ongoing response and recovery efforts related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the USVI Department of Health requested technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Response Agency (VITEMA) to conduct two Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) to assess the experience and health of residents before, during, and after the hurricanes: (1) St Croix during November 7-8, 2017 and (2) St Thomas and St John during November 13-14, 2017. The CASPERs were part of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT) response effort on the islands. The CASPERs specifically aimed to (1) address the ongoing response efforts within the community, (2) assess household and environmental characteristics associated with vector control, (3) describe perceived physical and behavioral health effects associated with the storms, (4) identify information gaps and preferred communication strategies, and (5) gauge the current needs of the community.
Report: Addressing Community Needs During the Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts Through Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) – United States Virgin Islands, 2017-2018

2017 – Zika CASPER

Type: Response/Preparedness
Event: Zika and Emergency Preparedness
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands
Purpose: Public health officials have reported that mosquitoes in the US Virgin Islands are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. Sexual transmission of Zika is also possible. While many people with Zika do not get sick, among those who do develop symptoms, sickness is usually mild with symptoms that last for several days to a week. However, a pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus and infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women who are trying to become pregnant. The objectives of the CASPER were to assess territory residents’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes pertaining to Zika virus prevention; identify information gaps and communication strategies for strengthening Zika education campaigns; and assess household and environmental qualities associated with vector control and proliferation.
Report: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/pdfs/mm6822a3-H.pdf