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Officials Plan for Flu Pandemic
By Craig Packer
As global concerns escalate over a potential flu pandemic,
Federal officials say there's no reason for panic about
any number of possible scenarios for the spread of avian
flu, commonly called "bird flu."
"Prepare and plan" are the watchwords at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where
Secretary Mike Leavitt has launched a new information
Web site, www.pandemicflu.gov.
HHS is taking the lead on the Federal effort.
"As part of HHS, SAMHSA has a key role to play
in planning and preparing for, responding to, and recovering
from the behavioral health impact of a disaster,"
said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W.
At the White House, the National Strategy for Pandemic
Influenza details the Nation's approach to any possible
flu threat. The three pillars of the White House strategy
are preparedness and communication, surveillance and
detection, and response and containment.
The HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan provides guidance to
national, state, and local policymakers and health departments
to achieve a state of readiness and quick response.
The HHS Plan offers an overview of the threat of pandemic
influenza, an outline of key roles and responsibilities,
and opportunities to increase basic public preparedness
for a pandemic, including checklists on family health
information and recommended supplies to have on hand
at home.
Major components of the HHS Plan:
Intensify surveillance and collaboration on
containment measures—both international and domestic. Stockpile antivirals and vaccines, and expand
production of these medical aids. Create a seamless network of Federal, state,
and local preparedness, especially to handle surges in
health care needs. Develop public education and communications
efforts to keep the public informed.
Several overarching principles guide the HHS Plan, including
close cooperation among Federal, state, and local governments
and partners in the private sector, and an informed and
responsive public.
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SAMHSA's Support
In addition to making sure people receiving mental health
or substance abuse treatment continue to receive care,
SAMHSA has an important role in helping people cope with
mental and addictive disorders that may develop during
a crisis, according to Daniel Dodgen, Ph.D., SAMHSA Emergency
Management Coordinator.
For example, planning efforts must address how communities
can carry out key functions when a large part of the
workforce—including physicians, nurses, psychologists,
drug treatment counselors, political leaders, and people
of other professions—are not able to work due to
illness.
Schools may be closed to control infection among children,
forcing parents to stay home from work and possibly jeopardizing
the financial stability of families. In addition, family
members and caregivers of those who are ill may have
to cope with strong feelings and perhaps grief.
Although the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
outbreak provided some important lessons, Dr. Dodgen
said there is little research on how a pandemic influenza
outbreak might contribute to mental and addictive disorders.
"SAMHSA will have a role in crafting important
messages for the public," he said, "such as
coping with fears about getting sick, dealing with the
death of a loved one, or talking effectively with children
about what they're thinking and feeling."
For more information, visit www.pandemicflu.gov. 
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Avian versus Pandemic Flu
Avian flu and pandemic flu are two separate issues
potentially connected by a viral leap between species.
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Avian flu currently is an
infection caused by viruses that occur naturally
in birds. At this time, human beings are not
easily susceptible to avian flu. However, some
domesticated birds-including chickens, ducks,
and turkeys-have become fatally infected and
passed the virus to some people who tended
them. Avian flu is one of many types of influenza
that could lead to a pandemic.
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Pandemic flu refers to a
global threat from any new, rapidly spreading
influenza virus for which there is little or
no immunity in human beings.
For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/
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