ISSUE: From September 9 through October 21, 2005, by request of the North Carolina State Medical Assistance Team through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a public health team (PHT) provided support to a mobile field hospital in Waveland, Mississippi following reported cases of gastroenteritis and rashes among staff. The field hospital, located in a strip mall parking lot, included triage, ambulatory care, and a self-contained mobile trauma center. Most staff worked in tents, in excessive heat, and without requested handwashing facilities. Lack of infection control policies and procedures were an immediate concern in this setting. PROJECT: The PHT, comprised of an industrial hygienist, an environmental health specialist, a physician, nurse or epidemiologist, and administrative support staff from county and state health departments and public health regional surveillance teams (PHRSTs), was assembled to provide needed areas of expertise. The PHT conducted an assessment of the hospital environment and identified lack of adequate handwashing facilities, infection control and other concerns. These situations included dust blowing through patient care areas caused by fans and landing helicopters, insufficient storage space, equipment disinfection issues, improper medical waste disposal, and shortage of sharps containers. The PHT developed daily corrective action plans to improve infection control practices. RESULTS: Hand washing stations with running water were provided for the hospital and adjacent church-based cafe to replace the initial hand hygiene method. Procurement of more tents and pallets helped keep supplies clean and dry. Screening of tent openings into the ambulatory care area decreased dust and insects. Medical waste disposal issues were resolved through disposal contracts, increased perimeter security, and wrapping biohazard bags around rigid plastic containers. LESSONS LEARNED: Infection control practices are essential considerations in field hospital environments during disaster response. Public health professionals can provide valuable support with development of pre-deployment infection control policies and post-deployment assessment of these policies.