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LEPC getting prepared for pandemic
By MIRANDA REMAKLUS
Staff Writer
PARAGOULD - Greene County's local emergency planning committee is focused on getting prepared in the event of a disaster. On Monday, the group met to discuss preparations in the event of a pandemic flu.
While the avian flu, or bird flu, is a scare, people need to be more concerned if the flu mutates into a new, stronger strain and is spread via human-to-human contact.
Seasonal flu comes in a predictable pattern. Humans have some immunity to the disease, the healthcare system can meet the needs of the affected public and it has a modest impact on society.
Pandemic flus are rare and have only happened three times during the 20th century. There is no immunity to the disease, a vaccine will not be available in the early stages and should one occur, there will be a major impact on society.
Linda Hutchison, a nurse with the Greene County Health Unit, said the local impact of a pandemic flu would be great.
“We cannot stop a pandemic, but with planning and preparation we can possibly slow the spread and minimize the medical and economical effects of the pandemic,” she said.
She said healthcare facilities will be overwhelmed with shortages in personnel and equipment. Services provided to the community by banks, restaurants, grocery stores, government offices and the post office will be strained. She said travel should be reduced and transportation should be limited.
Hutchison said the death toll of a pandemic flu could exceed the morgue's capacity. She said schools and daycares may be closed for extended periods of time, and garbage pick up may be delayed due to absences.
She said the Arkansas Division of Health has a Web site at www.healthyarkansas.com. ADH is currently planning, educating and updating information on the Web site it has for pandemic flu.
Hutchison said it is important to create a family emergency plan and preparedness checklists.
According to the American Red Cross emergency checklist, it will be important to post emergency telephone numbers near telephones and teach your children how and when to call for help. The Red Cross recommends selecting one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster. They also suggest keeping family records in a water-tight, fire-proof container.
Hutchison noted there is about $3.4 million available for anti-viruses to the state in the event of a pandemic flu. She said, “This will only cover about 25 percent of the population who will actually need the vaccine.”
Shelly Hood, Greene County's office of emergency management coordinator, said the knowledge of the lack of a vaccine could cause a problem.
“There may be a pandemic before it even hits because people believe they will be left out,” she said.
Hutchison said the state is currently at a level 3 phase of alert. This level means there is no or very limited human-to-human spread of the disease.
The LEPC group will meet again Oct. 9 at First Methodist Church at 11 a.m.
While the avian flu, or bird flu, is a scare, people need to be more concerned if the flu mutates into a new, stronger strain and is spread via human-to-human contact.
Seasonal flu comes in a predictable pattern. Humans have some immunity to the disease, the healthcare system can meet the needs of the affected public and it has a modest impact on society.
Pandemic flus are rare and have only happened three times during the 20th century. There is no immunity to the disease, a vaccine will not be available in the early stages and should one occur, there will be a major impact on society.
Linda Hutchison, a nurse with the Greene County Health Unit, said the local impact of a pandemic flu would be great.
“We cannot stop a pandemic, but with planning and preparation we can possibly slow the spread and minimize the medical and economical effects of the pandemic,” she said.
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Hutchison said the death toll of a pandemic flu could exceed the morgue's capacity. She said schools and daycares may be closed for extended periods of time, and garbage pick up may be delayed due to absences.
She said the Arkansas Division of Health has a Web site at www.healthyarkansas.com. ADH is currently planning, educating and updating information on the Web site it has for pandemic flu.
Hutchison said it is important to create a family emergency plan and preparedness checklists.
According to the American Red Cross emergency checklist, it will be important to post emergency telephone numbers near telephones and teach your children how and when to call for help. The Red Cross recommends selecting one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster. They also suggest keeping family records in a water-tight, fire-proof container.
Hutchison noted there is about $3.4 million available for anti-viruses to the state in the event of a pandemic flu. She said, “This will only cover about 25 percent of the population who will actually need the vaccine.”
Shelly Hood, Greene County's office of emergency management coordinator, said the knowledge of the lack of a vaccine could cause a problem.
“There may be a pandemic before it even hits because people believe they will be left out,” she said.
Hutchison said the state is currently at a level 3 phase of alert. This level means there is no or very limited human-to-human spread of the disease.
The LEPC group will meet again Oct. 9 at First Methodist Church at 11 a.m.
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