1) A disaster can be human-made or natural, occurring unexpectedly and causing damage, deaths, and sometimes disease outbreaks. 2) As influenza cases rise from 5% to 10% of the population in days, the public health nurse's first response is to conduct disease surveillance and notify authorities to implement primary prevention and limit mortality. 3) Proper planning through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery yields effective emergency operations and improved preparedness for disasters.