Concerning health issues, I checked this out for you all'ins:
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:Tq6-r5DLoGYJ:www.dh...on+New+Orleans&hl=en
The only thing they recommend is that you are up to date (ten years at the latest) on tentanus/diptheria.
I think it's beautiful and brave to go, this first time after the disaster.