Mellie
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http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=5823552&nav=S6aK
With room for improvement, Va. pandemic preparation rates high
RICHMOND, Va. A report says Virginia is better prepared than most states for health emergencies such as pandemic flu, and state health officials remain optimistic about plans for handling an outbreak.
However, officials acknowledge there is room for improvement and staying prepared for a pandemic will take constant vigilance.
There have been three influenza pandemics in the United States during the past century. The worst killed about 50 (M) million people worldwide in 1918. Officials estimate a pandemic today could sicken as many as two-and-a-half (M) million Virginians and kill up to 63-hundred.
An annual report released this week by the advocacy group Trust for America's Health ranked Virginia among the better-performing states for emergency health preparedness. Virginia scored eightout of ten possible points given for key factors such having adequate numbers of lab scientists to test for anthrax or plague. Half of states scored six or less.
But the report also found that half the states -- including Virginia -- would run out of hospital beds within two weeks of a moderately severe pandemic outbreak.
With room for improvement, Va. pandemic preparation rates high
RICHMOND, Va. A report says Virginia is better prepared than most states for health emergencies such as pandemic flu, and state health officials remain optimistic about plans for handling an outbreak.
However, officials acknowledge there is room for improvement and staying prepared for a pandemic will take constant vigilance.
There have been three influenza pandemics in the United States during the past century. The worst killed about 50 (M) million people worldwide in 1918. Officials estimate a pandemic today could sicken as many as two-and-a-half (M) million Virginians and kill up to 63-hundred.
An annual report released this week by the advocacy group Trust for America's Health ranked Virginia among the better-performing states for emergency health preparedness. Virginia scored eightout of ten possible points given for key factors such having adequate numbers of lab scientists to test for anthrax or plague. Half of states scored six or less.
But the report also found that half the states -- including Virginia -- would run out of hospital beds within two weeks of a moderately severe pandemic outbreak.