HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt Joins Governor Kenny Guinn At Nevada Pandemic Planning Summit, USA

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 18 Feb 2006 - 21:00 PDT

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Acknowledging that pandemics happen and require a strong local response, Governor Kenny Guinn and HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt signed a resolution, committing the state and federal government to planning efforts. They did so before an audience of public health officials, business and community leaders, gathered to address pandemic flu preparedness. Secretary Leavitt is in Nevada as part of a national tour of states, as the federal government prepares the country for a potential influenza pandemic.

"Pandemics are global in nature but their effects are always local, so I am pleased that Governor Guinn is taking a leadership role to prepare Nevada 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 Nevada communities and begin crucial coordination to assure readiness if a pandemic outbreak strikes."

"We are very grateful to Secretary Leavitt and other federal government officials for their devoted efforts in helping Nevada and other states better prepare for the possibility of a pandemic flu, said Governor Guinn. "With their guidance and assistance, we will be able to leave our summit with an enhanced ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any health emergency."

In the planning resolution, HHS commits to providing guidance and technical assistance to Nevada; an initial amount of financial assistance for planning, $1,045,254; and agrees to review the state's plans for use, storage and distribution of antivirals and notify it of its portion of the federal stockpile of pandemic influenza antiviral drugs. Nevada agrees to assure that its operational plan for pandemic influenza response is an integral element of the overall state and local emergency response plan and to establish a Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee representing all relevant stakeholders. The state will also notify HHS of the amount of additional pandemic influenza antiviral drugs it will plan to purchase and will exercise its preparedness plan within six months of today's summit.

The event is Nevada's first statewide gathering to address pandemic readiness planning, and will give a broad range of organizations an opportunity to participate in the process. Invited guests include first responders, business leaders, educators, health care providers, faith-based organizations, volunteer agencies, policy makers and others.

Secretary Leavitt outlined a series of in-state summits to address pandemic preparedness Dec. 5. The in-state summits will help the public health and emergency response community in each state inform and involve their political, economic and community leadership in this process. Secretary Leavitt and other top HHS officials will participate in the meetings over the next few months. HHS has also prepared tools to help with the planning process, including a state and local checklist, a business checklist, a guide for individuals and families, and a checklist for faith-based organizations. The guides were distributed at the summit.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov

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