News Releases for March 2006
March 9, 2006
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Preparing North Dakota: Pandemic Influenza Summit Gathers Leaders For Planning Session
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven was joined today by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt and other federal and state officials at the North Dakota Heritage Center to discuss national and state preparations for a possible influenza pandemic.
“This summit is designed to get all of us working together to plan for, prevent and respond to a possible health emergency, in order to better protect our families, our businesses and our communities,” Hoeven said. “If a pandemic hits, we will all need to work together, and that means beginning now, by planning for such an event.
Joining Hoeven and Leavitt at the summit were U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Admiral John O. Agwunobi; N.D. Department of Health State Health Officer Dr. Terry Dwelle; and other health officials. Attendees included community leaders, business groups, education officials, tribal leaders, health care representatives and members of the general public.
“Pandemics are global in nature but their effects are always local, so I am pleased that Governor Hoeven is taking a leadership role to prepare North Dakota for this threat,” Secretary Leavitt said. “Pandemic planning needs to address how schools, businesses, public agencies, faith-based organizations and others participate in pandemic preparedness. With this meeting, local officials can identify needs specific to North Dakota communities and begin crucial coordination to assure readiness if a pandemic outbreak strikes.”
Today’s summit included an overview of national and state planning efforts, along with presentations, a panel discussion and a question and answer period on pandemic influenza issues relating to public health, business, local government and emergency management.
“During an influenza pandemic, we will do all we can to reduce illness and loss of life,” Dwelle said. “However, an effective response will depend upon effective preparation not only by the state’s public health and medical communities, but also by businesses, schools, neighborhoods and families.”
In North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is the lead agency to coordinate pandemic influenza planning and response, and has developed a statewide Pandemic Influenza Plan, with activities for prevention, detection and care. Recognizing that an effective response to a pandemic influenza outbreak requires the participation of many people at all levels, the state plan also includes many public and private sector partners. As a working document, the plan involves local public health units, doctors, hospitals, veterinary specialists, laboratories, emergency medical services and others who will play a crucial role in managing an outbreak.
The plan also includes a statewide communication component, which in the event of an outbreak will provide information for the public on how to avoid getting ill, the status of vaccine supplies, the location of emergency vaccination clinics, information about how to care for people who are ill and other guidelines for individuals and communities. The state Pandemic Influenza Plan can be found at the NDDoH Web site.
An influenza pandemic, or worldwide flu epidemic, is caused by the development of a new strain of highly contagious flu that can result in widespread illness. The threat of a possible pandemic has emerged as health care officials around the world continue to track emerging strains of influenza. One such strain, H5N1, or “bird flu,” has infected more than 170 people worldwide. Although this strain remains a disease largely among birds and is still not transmittable from person to person, its occurrence has heightened concern about a human influenza pandemic and its impact on individuals and communities worldwide. North Dakota and states across the nation are taking precautionary measures to address a possible outbreak.
The webcast of today’s meeting can be viewed or downloaded in its entirety at the NDDoH Web site at www.health.state.nd.us.
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