April 18, 2008

CDHD Hosts Annual Pandemic Summit

Event Focuses on Vulnerable Populations and Continuity of Operations

On Wednesday April 23, 2008 the Central District Health Department (CDHD) will host another in a series of Pandemic Influenza Summit meetings at the Boise Centre on the Grove. As with past years, this event will provide basic information about what a pandemic is, but will for the first time bring together community organizations and agencies that serve ‘vulnerable populations.’ Vulnerable populations can include the elderly, refugees, the disabled and homeless.

“Helping get these people through a pandemic, or any other major emergency event, requires different strategies for communication and outreach,” Said Darcus Allen, Planner with the CDHD Public Health Preparedness program. “So, in addition to first responders, we’re inviting a variety of organizations to join us for a frank discussion of the challenges these populations present in emergency response.”

The other major focus of the Pandemic Influenza Summit is to assist businesses in planning for ‘Continuity of Operations,’ or how an organization can keep operating when a large percentage of the workforce may be absent because of illness. The goal is to help business owners and managers understand that planning for an emergency, like a pandemic, goes beyond just their employees, it must also include consideration of employee families.

Though the topic of pandemic influenza is no longer a top concern of many Americans, the facts remain the same. In the last century there were three major influenza pandemic episodes, each resulting in a significant disruption of ordinary life and millions of deaths. Most recent attention has focused on the pandemic potential of the H5N1 avian influenza strain. Whether this avian influenza strain creates the next pandemic or not, the health district and state and federal governments are urging communities to be prepared.

“When it comes to influenza pandemics,” Said Kimberly Link, Program Manager for Public Health Preparedness at CDHD. “It’s not a question of if, but when the next one will happen. We want everyone to be prepared.”

Speakers at the Pandemic Summit will include the Director of the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Col. William Shawver, CDHD Director Russell Duke and CDHD Deputy Director Cindy Trail. Break out sessions will provide basics on preparedness planning and, for those who already have emergency plans, a session on moving those plans forward. The day will wrap up with a table top exercise allowing all participants to play roles in a pandemic scenario.

Displays will include examples of the personal and family emergency preparedness kits CDHD has provided to each of its employees and information on the Medical Reserve Corps.