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Bird flu pandemic will be discussed at town meeting
An emergency preparedness meeting for all Lincoln County residents will be held tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln County Library.
Sponsored by the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety and Georgia's East Central Health District (ECHD-District IV), the purpose of the meeting is to provide local residents with information relative to a pandemic outbreak of the avian or bird flu as well as offer individuals the opportunity to volunteer to assist in such an emergency as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
During the meeting, Dr. Malcolm Page, an infectious disease specialist who helped eliminate smallpox in Pakistan and polio in Central America, will present information on the bird flu, which is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds.
In addition to Dr. Page, other speakers include Gary Zgutowicz, emergency preparedness director for the ECHD; Ernie Doss, director of the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety; and Preston Harpe, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) coordinator for the ECHD.
If a major medical emergency such as the bird flu or a worldwide outbreak of virulent, human flu strikes Lincoln County, there will be a need for over 200 volunteers to staff the POD (Point of Distribution) to administer medication. These MRC volunteers will be organized and trained to function in a disaster environment.
According to Harpe, "This is an excellent opportunity for seniors, active and retired medical personnel, and others to get involved in making Lincoln County a safer place in which to live. We need citizens from all walks of life to support our medical volunteers."
For more information about the bird flu or to join the MRC, contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 706-359-3154.
An emergency preparedness meeting for all Lincoln County residents will be held tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln County Library.
Sponsored by the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety and Georgia's East Central Health District (ECHD-District IV), the purpose of the meeting is to provide local residents with information relative to a pandemic outbreak of the avian or bird flu as well as offer individuals the opportunity to volunteer to assist in such an emergency as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
During the meeting, Dr. Malcolm Page, an infectious disease specialist who helped eliminate smallpox in Pakistan and polio in Central America, will present information on the bird flu, which is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds.
In addition to Dr. Page, other speakers include Gary Zgutowicz, emergency preparedness director for the ECHD; Ernie Doss, director of the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety; and Preston Harpe, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) coordinator for the ECHD.
If a major medical emergency such as the bird flu or a worldwide outbreak of virulent, human flu strikes Lincoln County, there will be a need for over 200 volunteers to staff the POD (Point of Distribution) to administer medication. These MRC volunteers will be organized and trained to function in a disaster environment.
According to Harpe, "This is an excellent opportunity for seniors, active and retired medical personnel, and others to get involved in making Lincoln County a safer place in which to live. We need citizens from all walks of life to support our medical volunteers."
For more information about the bird flu or to join the MRC, contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 706-359-3154.