Local health departments are constantly planning responses to disasters, including outbreaks of diseases such as SARS and the coronavirus well before they happen. The Kewaunee County Public Health and Human Services Department and the Door County Public Health Department undergo several mock disaster scenarios yearly as a condition of an emergency management grant.  Sue Powers, Door County Public Health Manager and Health Officer, says that includes aiding with a regional response.

Among the efforts to control or reduce the threat of outbreaks is medication distribution, such as flu shots, in schools.