Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/articles/2008/05/02/news/news03.txt
Pandemic danger discussed
By Jeremy Henderson
Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:12 PM CDT
The dwindling economy has now taken the forefront of public thought, but Teresa Porter, surveillance nurse coordinator for public health area 9, said inadequate pandemic planning could reduce America's workforce by 40 percent and cause a greater problem than rising fuel costs.
"A pandemic is a new flu virus that has never infected humans before," she said. "That means there would be no immunity and no vaccine available at the time of initial exposure. The only way you can protect yourself is by using personal protective equipment, proper hand-washing procedures, covering your cough and limiting your exposure to other people.
"If you, as a group, lose 40 percent of your workforce, then you may not be able to complete your required duties," she added. "It might not be that you personally are sick, but you may have someone who is sick at home.
Porter said part of the local Pandemic Planning Committee's purpose is to encourage organizations like local law enforcement, medical care facilities and education facilities to create a "continuity of operation plan" that would ensure the essential tasks could be complete in the event of a pandemic outbreak or similar disaster emergency. The committee held a meeting Thursday at Andalusia City Hall.
"We are trying to involve sectors of the Emergency Management Association, health care, government, first responders, health department, the general public, the educational organizations, the community and the religious community," she said. "We would like to representation from those standpoints."
According to Porter, the Alabama Department of Public Health wishes to give the public the knowledge necessary to prepare for any emergency situation like a pandemic.
"The goal of the committee is to help gather information for preparation for a pandemic," she said. "We have an opportunity at this point in our life to prepare for a pandemic. No other generation has had this opportunity. We are doing that by getting information out about the possibility of a pandemic and how you as an individual, as an organization or as a group can do that. Whether it is a hospital, church or local government. Each individual can prepare."
Porter said individuals, groups and organizations can begin by stockpiling necessary items to survive when supplies are depleted or limited, including what the state Department of Public Health calls the 10 essential items for emergency situations.
The "Get 10" list includes water, food, a can opener, medications, first aid, a flashlight, a radio, changes of clothing, personal care items like toothbrushes and important documents.
Most major cities have reserve food supplies to last approximately three days, according to Porter, and individuals should stockpile at least two weeks of supplies.
"When you have a storm coming in, how quickly do your grocery stores get depleted," Porter said. "People get fearful in emergency situations, so we are recommending people start stockpiling now.
"It may be that not everyone can afford to do so, especially now with the issues of the economy and fuel prices," she added. "When you go to the grocery store on a weekly basis buy one extra item to put away. Do not dip into that supply and make sure to rotate so that your reserve supplies do not expire. Have a rotation and add one or two items each week. We would love to see people have at least one or two weeks of supplies stockpiled. Not only would it help you a pandemic standpoint, but it would also serve well during weather emergencies."
Alabama has received three monetary installments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fuel the progress of pandemic planning. Phase I of the funding delivered $1.5 million in January 2006, Phase II delivered $3.4 million in July 2006 and the last allocation in August 2007 delivered $1.17 million to the state. The money went to a variety of causes.
"The state Department of Public Health is offering free personal protection equipment, or PPE, to agencies," Porter said. "It used to be just for first responders, but now it is open to anyone that is willing to write a pandemic influenza operating plan and educate their staff, volunteers or their group on pandemic influenza and personal protection."
Porter said templates are available for groups who wish to obtain the PPE and health department officials are available for training sessions to educate personnel on PPE procedure.
Anyone interested in learning more about pandemic planning may attend the next meeting at the Andalusia City Hall Thurs., July 3. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
"People often think of this as only a health care issue, but it is not," Porter said. "It will affect all sectors of life."
Pandemic danger discussed
By Jeremy Henderson
Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:12 PM CDT
The dwindling economy has now taken the forefront of public thought, but Teresa Porter, surveillance nurse coordinator for public health area 9, said inadequate pandemic planning could reduce America's workforce by 40 percent and cause a greater problem than rising fuel costs.
"A pandemic is a new flu virus that has never infected humans before," she said. "That means there would be no immunity and no vaccine available at the time of initial exposure. The only way you can protect yourself is by using personal protective equipment, proper hand-washing procedures, covering your cough and limiting your exposure to other people.
"If you, as a group, lose 40 percent of your workforce, then you may not be able to complete your required duties," she added. "It might not be that you personally are sick, but you may have someone who is sick at home.
Porter said part of the local Pandemic Planning Committee's purpose is to encourage organizations like local law enforcement, medical care facilities and education facilities to create a "continuity of operation plan" that would ensure the essential tasks could be complete in the event of a pandemic outbreak or similar disaster emergency. The committee held a meeting Thursday at Andalusia City Hall.
"We are trying to involve sectors of the Emergency Management Association, health care, government, first responders, health department, the general public, the educational organizations, the community and the religious community," she said. "We would like to representation from those standpoints."
According to Porter, the Alabama Department of Public Health wishes to give the public the knowledge necessary to prepare for any emergency situation like a pandemic.
"The goal of the committee is to help gather information for preparation for a pandemic," she said. "We have an opportunity at this point in our life to prepare for a pandemic. No other generation has had this opportunity. We are doing that by getting information out about the possibility of a pandemic and how you as an individual, as an organization or as a group can do that. Whether it is a hospital, church or local government. Each individual can prepare."
Porter said individuals, groups and organizations can begin by stockpiling necessary items to survive when supplies are depleted or limited, including what the state Department of Public Health calls the 10 essential items for emergency situations.
The "Get 10" list includes water, food, a can opener, medications, first aid, a flashlight, a radio, changes of clothing, personal care items like toothbrushes and important documents.
Most major cities have reserve food supplies to last approximately three days, according to Porter, and individuals should stockpile at least two weeks of supplies.
"When you have a storm coming in, how quickly do your grocery stores get depleted," Porter said. "People get fearful in emergency situations, so we are recommending people start stockpiling now.
"It may be that not everyone can afford to do so, especially now with the issues of the economy and fuel prices," she added. "When you go to the grocery store on a weekly basis buy one extra item to put away. Do not dip into that supply and make sure to rotate so that your reserve supplies do not expire. Have a rotation and add one or two items each week. We would love to see people have at least one or two weeks of supplies stockpiled. Not only would it help you a pandemic standpoint, but it would also serve well during weather emergencies."
Alabama has received three monetary installments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fuel the progress of pandemic planning. Phase I of the funding delivered $1.5 million in January 2006, Phase II delivered $3.4 million in July 2006 and the last allocation in August 2007 delivered $1.17 million to the state. The money went to a variety of causes.
"The state Department of Public Health is offering free personal protection equipment, or PPE, to agencies," Porter said. "It used to be just for first responders, but now it is open to anyone that is willing to write a pandemic influenza operating plan and educate their staff, volunteers or their group on pandemic influenza and personal protection."
Porter said templates are available for groups who wish to obtain the PPE and health department officials are available for training sessions to educate personnel on PPE procedure.
Anyone interested in learning more about pandemic planning may attend the next meeting at the Andalusia City Hall Thurs., July 3. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
"People often think of this as only a health care issue, but it is not," Porter said. "It will affect all sectors of life."