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Bioterrorism events such as the anthrax cases and global outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and pandemic influenza underscore the need for hospitals and their staff to remain vigilant. As Rebmann (2009a) explains, "Infection transmission and infectious disease outbreaks can occur during or following any type of disaster. The greatest risk of infection transmission occurs during a disaster involving an infectious disease/agent (i.e., an infectious disease disaster), such as a bioterrorism attack, outbreak of an emerging infectious disease or pandemic."

Chagas disease, a tropical parasitic disease that can lead to life-threatening heart and digestive disorders, may be more widespread in Texas than previously thought, according to research from the University of Texas at Austin.