US - CDC Emergency Operations Center moves to highest level of activation for Zika response - February 8, 2016

[Pathfinder]

Zika Virus Outbreak Prompts CDC to Activate Highest Emergency Ops Level

By GILLIAN MOHNEY Feb 8, 2016, 5:53 PM ET

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emergency Operations Center has been moved to Level 1, the agency's highest level, due to the risk of Zika virus transmission in the U.S., officials said today.

The Level 1 activation is "reflecting the agency?s assessment of the need for an accelerated preparedness to bring together experts to focus intently and work efficiently in anticipation of local Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes," the agency said in a statement.

The highest level activation means the CDC staff will work around the clock to combat a critical emergency. The three other Level 1 activations have been to combat Ebola, to combat H1N1 influenza in 2009, and after Hurricane Katrina.

...
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/zika-v...-activate-highest-emergency/story?id=36796510

 

[sharon sanders]

From: "Media@cdc.gov (CDC)" <sohco@CDC.GOV>
To: MMWR-MEDIA@LISTSERV.CDC.GOV
Subject: CDC Media Statement: CDC Emergency Operations Center moves to highest level of activation for Zika response
Date: Feb 8, 2016 4:13 PM [TABLE="border: 0, cellpadding: 0, cellspacing: 0"]
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[TD]Media Statement
For Immediate Release Monday, February 8, 2016 Contact: CDC Media Relations 404-639-3286
CDC Emergency Operations Center moves to highest level of activation for Zika response


To further enhance its response to the Zika virus outbreak, CDC?s Emergency Operations Center is moving to a Level 1 activation?reflecting the agency?s assessment of the need for an accelerated preparedness to bring together experts to focus intently and work efficiently in anticipation of local Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes in the Continental U.S.

Activated for the Zika response since January 22, 2016, the EOC is the command center for monitoring and coordinating the emergency response to Zika, bringing together CDC scientists with expertise in arboviruses, reproductive health, and birth and developmental defects. Their work includes:

?Developing laboratory tests to diagnose Zika
?Conducting studies to learn more about the possible linkages with microcephaly and Guillain Barr?syndrome
?Surveillance for the virus in the United States, including US territories
?On-the-ground support in Puerto Rico, Brazil and Colombia

The EOC is currently home to more than 300 CDC staff working in collaboration with local, national, and international response partners to analyze, validate, and efficiently exchange information about the outbreak. The EOC has resources to rapidly transport diagnostic kits, samples and specimens, and personnel. The EOC is serving as CDC's command center for monitoring and coordinating the emergency response to Zika, including the deployment of CDC staff and the procurement and management of all equipment and supplies that CDC responders may need during deployment.

B-roll of Zika response in CDC Emergency Operations Center: http://www.cdc.gov/media/b_roll.html.

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CDC works 24/7protecting America?s health, safety and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, stem from human error or deliberate attack, CDC is committed to respond to America?s most pressing health challenges.[/TD]
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At the site link the date is February 3, 2016 but I have not seen it before.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/s0208-zika-eoca-activation.html