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Online
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Summit
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State
pandemic influenza summit calls attention to preparedness
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Above
Over 1,000 people attended the summit.
Right
Mary Selecky,
Julie Gerberding,
Chris Gregoire |
Top federal, state and
local officials spoke to an audience of about 1,000 at the
Washington State pandemic influenza summit on April 14 emphasized several key points:
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We are overdue for a
flu pandemic.
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A pandemic would disrupt the lives of everyone.
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Avian
influenza or bird flu is one possible source of the next flu
pandemic but it is now chiefly a pandemic only for birds.
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Governments are working to prepare for the next big flu pandemic.
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Personal preparedness will be a deciding factor in how well we get
through a flu pandemic.
Governor Chris Gregoire pointed out that Washington’s position as a
hub of international travel makes it more susceptible than most
states to the spread of disease.
Early in the summit, Governor Gregoire and U.S. Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Alex
Azar signed a memorandum of understanding in which they pledged to
work together to prepare for an influenza pandemic. The federal
government has promised Washington State two million dollars to use
for planning, exercises, improved disease detection and public
education. The Washington State legislature has dedicated an
additional two million dollars to the effort and further federal
money will be added in a later round of pandemic flu funding.
The federal government is concentrating on efforts to develop and a
vaccine that could be used to prevent people from getting a pandemic
strain of influenza, developing new ways to make vaccine quicker and
stockpiling anti-viral medications that could help people survive
the flu.
Several speakers pointed out that disease outbreaks are experienced
on the local level, and that our ability to distribute medication
and care for the sick at the local level are essential.
Governor Gregoire and several others said that true preparedness is
“not about government” and individuals need to take responsibility
for preparing themselves. She added that our biggest challenge will
be to provide six million Washingtonians with information they can
use to get ready. Steps individuals can take are to practice good
health habits like covering their coughs, washing their hands,
staying home when they are sick; and preparing to get by for an
extended period when schools may be closed, gatherings cancelled and
services hard to come by.
Similar summits have been held in most states. Washington’s was the
largest, with over 1,000 attendees from police and fire departments,
schools, hospitals, businesses, public health agencies and local and
state government. The event was held at the Greater Tacoma
Convention and Trade Center.
Speakers at the summit included Deputy Secretary of Health and Human
Services Alex Azar, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Julie Gerberding, Governor Christine Gregoire, Washington
State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky and Adjutantant General of
the State of Washington Major General Timothy Lowenberg.
From
the summit:
List of summit speakers
Agenda
(PDF, 17 K)
Memorandum of Understanding
(PDF, 140 K)
Next steps in state pandemic flu
planning
Information about pandemic
influenza from other agencies:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
PandemicFlu.gov provides planning checklists, news, fact sheets and
links.
Washington State
Emergency Management Division
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Washington State
Department of Fish and Wildlife avian influenza Web page
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
Public
Health Seattle-King County pandemic flu Web site
Spokane
Regional Health District pandemic and avian flu Web site
Homeland Security Newsletter (March) -- Washington State
Emergency Management Division (PDF, 100 KB)
American Red Cross--Get Prepared -- Tips for preparing for any
emergency
Department of Health Publications
Pandemic influenza home
page
Overview of state pandemic
influenza planning
Preparing for pandemic influenza: A personal and family guide
(brochure) Plain Talk About Pandemic Flu
(DVD or streaming video)
Disaster Preparedness Handbook Cover Your Cough
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