Welcome to Skagit County
June 15th, 2006
SMITH APPOINTED LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATOR FOR PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
SKAGIT COUNTY – Skagit County Public Health Nurse Donna Smith has been
appointed Local Emergency Response Coordinator to improve preparedness for a
possible influenza pandemic. The position is funded in conjunction with the
Washington State Department of Health, providing $23,207 for the project. Her
responsibilities include:
- Forming a pandemic preparedness coordinating committee with businesses, our special needs population, schools, local governments, and community and faith-based organizations.
- Formalize interlocal and mutual aid agreements in a 5-county area.
- Negotiate agreements to use specific facilities to distribute vaccines and medication called points of dispersal. (PODs)
- Develop a communications system with businesses and public entities.
- Work with area veterinarians on Pandemic issues.
- Treat traditional seasonal flu and identify unusual flu symptoms.
- Develop a public awareness and preparedness campaign.
- Develop an isolation and quarantine plan in conjunction with neighboring counties.
- Operating plan for vaccine distribution and monitoring if available.
- Store and distribute anti-virals if available.
“Our job is to increase public awareness on how to deal with a possible influenza pandemic in Skagit County and Northwest Washington,” said Smith. “Our job is not to create panic but outline a preparedness plan that insures a higher level of public safety.”
An influenza (flu) pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that people have not been exposed to before. Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus.
In the last century there were three influenza pandemics. In 1918-1919, a pandemic caused at least 500,000 U.S. deaths and 40 million worldwide. The last pandemic was in 1968-1969 causing 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 deaths worldwide.
For further information,
contact Donna Smith at 360-336-9380.