I thought California was ground zero for the birdflu!
Experts Warn Florida Is Ground Zero For Bird Flu
POSTED: 7:34 am EDT April 5, 2006
UPDATED: 3:46 pm EDT April 5, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush said Florida could be ground zero for the bird flu in the U.S.
With that in mind, local, state and federal officials wrapped up the Orange County Avian Influenza Summit at the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday, WESH 2 News reported.
A panel of guests was in attendance from all areas to help Central Florida get ready. Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the region is prepared for things like natural disasters, but this is something different.
The purpose of the summit was to lay the groundwork for a regional response if the avian flu makes it to Central Florida. Experts warned that it could arrive in the area by the end of the year.
Crotty said the region must prepare for anything.
"One of the issues that is huge and needs to be talked about is that if this were to play out in a worst-case scenario that we could be facing workforce losses in Central Florida, across the country and potentially across the world of up to a third of the workforce being off for extended periods of time," he said.
A loss of the workforce could have a major economic impact.
"Consider, if you will, not having a third of your fire-rescue personnel," Crotty said.
Having a plan is key for all the people who rely on tourism. Each year, millions of tourists visit Central Florida making the area, observers said, a prime target for the avian flu.
The summit, called by Crotty, had the attention of everyone, especially businesses that depend on tourism.
"We're really worried about our ability to market to people," said Susan Vanderford, of the Cendant Timeshare Resort Group. "If we don't have tourists to market to, then we don't have the revenue and the income. We're also concerned about our owners and their ability to come to the resorts."
If the avian flu hits the U.S., homeland security experts said that a third of the population would be effected. There would not be enough anti-viral drugs and the healthcare system would be stretched beyond its limits.
Businesses may start considering a new contingency plan developed by the department.
"Can you stagger your shifts?" said Capt. Lynn Slepski, the senior public health advisor for the Department of Homeland Security. "If your business usually runs from 9 to 5, could you possibly have your people come in, but have them come in staggered and change the way that they sit so that they're not close to each other? And you can continue operations."
"We have dealt with various natural disasters in other situations, which really better prepares us to be able to deal with something of this particular nature," Orange County Public Service Director Jeremy Demmings said.
To help, people can wash their hands and, above all, stay home if they are sick.
The federal government has allocated $4.6 million for Florida to start preparing for the bird flu.
Doctors are already on the lookout for the virus in businesses, airports and theme parks.
http://www.wesh.com/health/8479679/detail.html?rss=orl&psp=news
Experts Warn Florida Is Ground Zero For Bird Flu
POSTED: 7:34 am EDT April 5, 2006
UPDATED: 3:46 pm EDT April 5, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush said Florida could be ground zero for the bird flu in the U.S.
With that in mind, local, state and federal officials wrapped up the Orange County Avian Influenza Summit at the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday, WESH 2 News reported.
A panel of guests was in attendance from all areas to help Central Florida get ready. Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the region is prepared for things like natural disasters, but this is something different.
The purpose of the summit was to lay the groundwork for a regional response if the avian flu makes it to Central Florida. Experts warned that it could arrive in the area by the end of the year.
Crotty said the region must prepare for anything.
"One of the issues that is huge and needs to be talked about is that if this were to play out in a worst-case scenario that we could be facing workforce losses in Central Florida, across the country and potentially across the world of up to a third of the workforce being off for extended periods of time," he said.
A loss of the workforce could have a major economic impact.
"Consider, if you will, not having a third of your fire-rescue personnel," Crotty said.
Having a plan is key for all the people who rely on tourism. Each year, millions of tourists visit Central Florida making the area, observers said, a prime target for the avian flu.
The summit, called by Crotty, had the attention of everyone, especially businesses that depend on tourism.
"We're really worried about our ability to market to people," said Susan Vanderford, of the Cendant Timeshare Resort Group. "If we don't have tourists to market to, then we don't have the revenue and the income. We're also concerned about our owners and their ability to come to the resorts."
If the avian flu hits the U.S., homeland security experts said that a third of the population would be effected. There would not be enough anti-viral drugs and the healthcare system would be stretched beyond its limits.
Businesses may start considering a new contingency plan developed by the department.
"Can you stagger your shifts?" said Capt. Lynn Slepski, the senior public health advisor for the Department of Homeland Security. "If your business usually runs from 9 to 5, could you possibly have your people come in, but have them come in staggered and change the way that they sit so that they're not close to each other? And you can continue operations."
"We have dealt with various natural disasters in other situations, which really better prepares us to be able to deal with something of this particular nature," Orange County Public Service Director Jeremy Demmings said.
To help, people can wash their hands and, above all, stay home if they are sick.
The federal government has allocated $4.6 million for Florida to start preparing for the bird flu.
Doctors are already on the lookout for the virus in businesses, airports and theme parks.
http://www.wesh.com/health/8479679/detail.html?rss=orl&psp=news
