Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania
Calvin B. Johnson, M.D., M.P.H. Health Secretary Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
1
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Governor Rendell directed Pennsylvania to develop a twoprong planning approach – Department of Agriculture to prepare for the increased threat of an H5N1 outbreak in poultry, wild fowl and live stock. – Department of Health to prepare Pennsylvania’s citizens for a potential pandemic.
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Department of Agriculture Planning Activities – Developed an Avian Influenza Response Plan – Drafted the “Poultry Worker Protection Plan: An Interim Guidance for the Implementation of CDC and OSHA Avian Influenza Public Health Recommendations.”
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania Department of Health Planning Activities • Held Statewide Pandemic Influenza Response planning Summit in Pittsburgh on March 17th – Hosted by Gov. Rendell, – HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt
• Hosted Six regional pandemic Summits throughout Pennsylvania.
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Department of Health Planning Activities (continued) – Upgraded state laboratory to expand Biosafety Level 3 capability. – Purchase of two (2) BSL-3 mobile labs
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Department of Health Planning Activities (continued) – Influenza pandemic response activities are coordinated within the following workgroups: • • • • • • • •
Human Avian Influenza Prevention Detection Policies and Processes Workforce Planning Isolation and Quarantine Procedures Vaccine and Medication Distribution Incident Coordination Response Public Communications Planning Legal Review Local Government
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Everyone has a role: – Business • Continuity of operations • Succession planning • Communicating to employees • Prevention • Educate customers regarding pandemic influenza. • Educate on what steps they should take to prepare.
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Everyone has a role (continued). – Healthcare • • • • •
Plan to continue those services Surge capacity for goods and people Increased prevention Protection and detection capability Disease containment measures
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania Some challenges for public and private sectors: • Absenteeism – What will absentee policy be and how will it be enforced? • Critical Businesses – How will these functions be defined? • Business Mutual Aid – Will employees be redirected from different sectors to meet staffing shortages?
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • Ongoing Activities – Public education and communication. – Strengthening essential partnerships – Strengthening capacity to rapidly vaccinate large populations.
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania Seasonal Influenza Preparedness
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania • State Government contact for Pandemic Planning • Michael Huff, Director, Bureau of Community Health Systems, PA Department of Health – 717-787-4366
Pandemic Influenza Planning in Pennsylvania
www.pandemicflu.state.pa.us