Va. Health Dept. Pandemic Plans

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Localities plan for flu outbreak
August 29, 2006 12:50 am
By MEGHANN COTTER
By MEGHANN COTTER 
Threats of avian and pandemic flu may be as far away as Indonesia, but preparations for a potential outbreak of the disease are under way close to home. 
Local officials have been discussing the issue with the Rappahannock Area Health District, making sure their emergency defenses are ready. 
"We have time now," said Joe Saitta, disaster coordinator for the health district. "If we are in the middle of an outbreak, we aren't going to have time to do this." 
Pandemic flu happens when a new strain of the virus emerges for which no vaccination is available. The situation last arose in the late 1960s, when more than 34,000 people in the United States died, according to pandemicflu .gov. 
Avian flu occurs mostly among birds, but has been known to mutate into strains that can be passed between people. Concern about this possibility is rising because a growing number of cases have been reported, mostly in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, since 2003. 
"This is so potentially catastrophic, we just can't take the chance that it isn't going to happen," Saitta said. "You know what happens when it snows around here or even if there is threat of snow. Imagine if we tell people they might have to stay home for six weeks."
His department sponsors ongoing monthly meetings with officials throughout the Rappahannock Area Health District, which includes Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline counties as well as the city of Fredericksburg. Subcommittees made up of people who manage everything from law enforcement and fire services to public information and volunteers have been formed to encourage collaboration of regional officials in similar positions. 
Some localities have already held countywide discussions about their local action plans, Saitta said. Many have created ongoing training programs and planning opportunities. 
Kathy Smith, Spotsylvania's public information officer, said her county broadcasts the Virginia Department of Health's 14-minute piece on pandemic flu information daily on Adelphia Channel 16 and Cox Channel 24. Employees also have access to the National Incident Management System's online courses about hazard management.
Stafford spokeswoman Cathy Riddle said her office plans to produce educational materials in the next few months. Other officials are reviewing the county's complete emergency management plan and talking with local groups to make sure they are ready for any kind of disaster. 
"This isn't just a response plan to pandemic or avian flu. It's a response plan for any type of crisis," Riddle said.
Localities have been told they will shoulder a lot of responsibility if an outbreak occurs, she said. But services must continue, regardless. 
"We could lose 40 [percent] to 50 percent of our work force not just because they are home sick, but because they are home taking care of others," she said. 
Health district officials are also working to hire a permanent health educator who can talk to local groups and individuals about flu issues. And training sessions are available for those who want to learn how to take care of their community if emergency-services professionals are unavailable for several days. 
Residents interested in more information about those training sessions can contact Capt. Herbert Pritchett of the Fredericksburg Fire Department at 540/372-1059, ext. 19, or e-mail him at 
Email: hpritchett@fd.fredericksburgva.gov

To reach MEGHANN COTTER: 540/374-5434 
Email: mcotter@freelancestar.com 

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	< =1.2> <>< =printpage() = value="Print this Page"> Return to story Localities plan for flu outbreak August 29, 2006 12:50 am By MEGHANN COTTER By MEGHANN COTTER Threats of avian and pandemic flu may be as far away as Indonesia, but preparations for a potential outbreak of the disease are under way close to home. Local officials have been discussing the issue with the Rappahannock Area Health District, making sure their emergency defenses are ready. "We have time now," said Joe Saitta, disaster coordinator for the health district. "If we are in the middle of an outbreak, we aren't going to have time to do this." Pandemic flu happens when a new strain of the virus emerges for which no vaccination is available. The situation last arose in the late 1960s, when more than 34,000 people in the United States died, according to pandemicflu .gov. Avian flu occurs mostly among birds, but has been known to mutate into strains that can be passed between people. Concern about this possibility is rising because a growing number of cases have been reported, mostly in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, since 2003. "This is so potentially catastrophic, we just can't take the chance that it isn't going to happen," Saitta said. "You know what happens when it snows around here or even if there is threat of snow. Imagine if we tell people they might have to stay home for six weeks." His department sponsors ongoing monthly meetings with officials throughout the Rappahannock Area Health District, which includes Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline counties as well as the city of Fredericksburg. Subcommittees made up of people who manage everything from law enforcement and fire services to public information and volunteers have been formed to encourage collaboration of regional officials in similar positions. Some localities have already held countywide discussions about their local action plans, Saitta said. Many have created ongoing training programs and planning opportunities. Kathy Smith, Spotsylvania's public information officer, said her county broadcasts the Virginia Department of Health's 14-minute piece on pandemic flu information daily on Adelphia Channel 16 and Cox Channel 24. Employees also have access to the National Incident Management System's online courses about hazard management. Stafford spokeswoman Cathy Riddle said her office plans to produce educational materials in the next few months. Other officials are reviewing the county's complete emergency management plan and talking with local groups to make sure they are ready for any kind of disaster. "This isn't just a response plan to pandemic or avian flu. It's a response plan for any type of crisis," Riddle said. Localities have been told they will shoulder a lot of responsibility if an outbreak occurs, she said. But services must continue, regardless. "We could lose 40 [percent] to 50 percent of our work force not just because they are home sick, but because they are home taking care of others," she said. Health district officials are also working to hire a permanent health educator who can talk to local groups and individuals about flu issues. And training sessions are available for those who want to learn how to take care of their community if emergency-services professionals are unavailable for several days. Residents interested in more information about those training sessions can contact Capt. Herbert Pritchett of the Fredericksburg Fire Department at 540/372-1059, ext. 19, or e-mail him at Email: hpritchett@fd.fredericksburgva.gov To reach MEGHANN COTTER: 540/374-5434 Email: mcotter@freelancestar.com Copyright 2006 The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company.