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FLU PLAN FOCUSES ON LOCAL RESOURCES
July 7, 2006 (Memphis Commercial Appeal on line)
By Mary Powers (Phone 529-2383)
Schools and hotels might be used as hospital wards, vaccine rationed and volunteers pressed into service feeding shut-ins in scenarios outlined in the Tennessee pandemic flu plan released Thursday.
The 205-page document is meant to serve as a blueprint for how the state will handle issues like disease surveillance, quarantine or distribution of vaccine and anti-viral medication if a deadly influenza virus surfaces.
It should also guide the public and private planning efforts now beginning in earnest, said Dr. Kelly Moore, the state health department's pandemic planning coordinator. Arkansas and Mississippi already released similar plans.
Local pandemic flu plans are due to state officials this fall. Exercises to test the state's plan are expected this winter.
The planning comes amid continuing international concern about the global health risk posed by a bird flu virus that's spread to at least three continents, decimating bird populations and infecting at least 229 individuals. Most human cases have been traced to infected birds. At least 131 of human cases were fatal.
There is no evidence the virus, known as H5N1, has spread to North America.
The virus still poses the greatest risk to birds, but global health authorities warn if the virus acquires the ability to spread from human to human, the toll will likely be massive.
Tennessee's plan predicts the virus would take six to eight weeks to move through a community, sickening about 30 percent of residents. It forecasts between about 4,200 and 38,000 deaths statewide. About 900,000 Tennesseans would seek outpatient care. In a severe outbreak, an estimated 198,000 would be hospitalized.
Federal officials have warned that national help will be limited during an epidemic. "We encourage people to think locally about local resources," Moore said.
The Health Department is scheduled to kick off a series of meetings Wednesday that are meant to jump start local planning, said Dr. Marian Levy, the local health department pandemic flu planning coordinator. The seven meetings will involve local elected officials, health providers, business leaders, educators, community service agencies and media.
Sandy Snell of the Regional Medical Center at Memphis welcomed the state plan. She said the public hospital has a plan for responding to a bioterrorist attack, but has been awaiting additional state guidance in pandemic flu preparation.
The state plan predicts a new flu virus would trigger a 25 percent jump in hospital patients. Moore said demand would likely rise dramatically in just weeks.
"The challenge is that we are full now," Snell said.
Moore said some federal funds are available to help hospital preparation.
The plan released Thursday includes a to-do list for state health officials. It calls for expanding the state's early warning system, developing a detailed plan for handling mass casualties and making sure school absenteeism information is shared with state health officials.
Moore said the state must still decide about what additional anti-viral medication to include in Tennessee's stockpile.
Tennessee's Pandemic Flu Plan Highlights
The state health commissioner has the authority to quarantine individuals as well as to close elementary and high schools and state-licensed day care facilities.
During a pandemic, gatherings of 100 individuals or more may be canceled by the state health commissioner in consultation with the governor.
Individuals and families should have at least one week's worth of nonperishable food, water and medication.
Individuals and families should plan for schools and businesses to close.
Businesses that remain open should plan for 40 percent absenteeism.
Businesses should make plans to let key employees work from home.
Hospitals should name a pandemic influenza coordinator.
Hospitals should consider stockpiling latex gloves, masks and other equipment along with anti-viral medication.
Source
July 7, 2006 (Memphis Commercial Appeal on line)
By Mary Powers (Phone 529-2383)
Schools and hotels might be used as hospital wards, vaccine rationed and volunteers pressed into service feeding shut-ins in scenarios outlined in the Tennessee pandemic flu plan released Thursday.
The 205-page document is meant to serve as a blueprint for how the state will handle issues like disease surveillance, quarantine or distribution of vaccine and anti-viral medication if a deadly influenza virus surfaces.
It should also guide the public and private planning efforts now beginning in earnest, said Dr. Kelly Moore, the state health department's pandemic planning coordinator. Arkansas and Mississippi already released similar plans.
Local pandemic flu plans are due to state officials this fall. Exercises to test the state's plan are expected this winter.
The planning comes amid continuing international concern about the global health risk posed by a bird flu virus that's spread to at least three continents, decimating bird populations and infecting at least 229 individuals. Most human cases have been traced to infected birds. At least 131 of human cases were fatal.
There is no evidence the virus, known as H5N1, has spread to North America.
The virus still poses the greatest risk to birds, but global health authorities warn if the virus acquires the ability to spread from human to human, the toll will likely be massive.
Tennessee's plan predicts the virus would take six to eight weeks to move through a community, sickening about 30 percent of residents. It forecasts between about 4,200 and 38,000 deaths statewide. About 900,000 Tennesseans would seek outpatient care. In a severe outbreak, an estimated 198,000 would be hospitalized.
Federal officials have warned that national help will be limited during an epidemic. "We encourage people to think locally about local resources," Moore said.
The Health Department is scheduled to kick off a series of meetings Wednesday that are meant to jump start local planning, said Dr. Marian Levy, the local health department pandemic flu planning coordinator. The seven meetings will involve local elected officials, health providers, business leaders, educators, community service agencies and media.
Sandy Snell of the Regional Medical Center at Memphis welcomed the state plan. She said the public hospital has a plan for responding to a bioterrorist attack, but has been awaiting additional state guidance in pandemic flu preparation.
The state plan predicts a new flu virus would trigger a 25 percent jump in hospital patients. Moore said demand would likely rise dramatically in just weeks.
"The challenge is that we are full now," Snell said.
Moore said some federal funds are available to help hospital preparation.
The plan released Thursday includes a to-do list for state health officials. It calls for expanding the state's early warning system, developing a detailed plan for handling mass casualties and making sure school absenteeism information is shared with state health officials.
Moore said the state must still decide about what additional anti-viral medication to include in Tennessee's stockpile.
Tennessee's Pandemic Flu Plan Highlights
The state health commissioner has the authority to quarantine individuals as well as to close elementary and high schools and state-licensed day care facilities.
During a pandemic, gatherings of 100 individuals or more may be canceled by the state health commissioner in consultation with the governor.
Individuals and families should have at least one week's worth of nonperishable food, water and medication.
Individuals and families should plan for schools and businesses to close.
Businesses that remain open should plan for 40 percent absenteeism.
Businesses should make plans to let key employees work from home.
Hospitals should name a pandemic influenza coordinator.
Hospitals should consider stockpiling latex gloves, masks and other equipment along with anti-viral medication.
Source
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