From Deseret News archives:
Utah health officials try to plan for a pandemic
It is estimated that a flu pandemic similar to the influenza of 1918 could kill 1.5 million Americans. "We have the ability to reduce the number of deaths. That's why we're developing a plan," explained health department spokesperson Steve McDonald.
"I don't think it makes sense for people to be scared," said Utah Department of Health epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs. "But people like me should be concerned. I don't think fear that is more than just awareness of risk is appropriate, because (a pandemic) may or may not happen. But I do think we should take it seriously" so that the right decisions are made.
There's only so much the health department can do, Rolfs said. After that it's up to legislators to provide funds for vaccines, for example, and up to the private sector to help figure out how to ration those vaccines if there aren't enough to go around.
"I can't buy a stockpile of antiviral medications with my existing budget," Rolfs added.
The Utah Department of Health will discuss the current state of its pandemic influenza preparations at a meeting of its Health Advisory Council 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
"To make a difference, this plan has to involve the whole community," Rolfs said. Hospitals, for example, have to plan how to best care for people when there are more patients than beds. "We're at the point where we have to decide how do we engage those people. How do we engage the community in a practical way?"
What happens, for example, when so many people are out sick that there aren't enough workers to pick up the garbage or drive buses?
As part of its immunization grant to states, the federal Centers for Disease Control requires that each state come up with a pandemic influenza strategy. Even though the threat of a worldwide pandemic has been around for a while, Rolfs said, "two things pushed us to take it more seriously" a series of emerging disease threats, including SARS and monkey pox and, more recently, the emergence of avian flu.
Only 117 people, all of them in Asia, have contracted bird flu; 61 of these have died. Currently the virus has spread mostly between birds, and only occasionally between birds and humans and only in cases where people have worked with poultry. The virus would have to mutate in order for it to be transmitted from person to person.
Right now it's just an avian flu, not a flu pandemic. "Those are two separate things. But people are mixing it up," Rolfs said.
The state's pandemic influenza plan is, at present, specific to bird flu but can also be used for other pandemics, he said. "We're trying to come up with something so that when the next thing comes along, we can pull (the plan) out of the closet, tweak it and make it generally applicable."
E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com
Comments
- Temperatures to drop, snow possible 4:46 p.m.
- Police: men threatened Orem officer 4:40 p.m.
- Art of medicine can require delays 4:34 p.m.
- Release dying dog from senior work 4:34 p.m.
- 'Evenings at the Museum' Friday 4:33 p.m.
- Venom is potential medicine 4:33 p.m.
- Pavel Haas Quartet eloquent 4:33 p.m.
- Mormon Times briefly 4:30 p.m.
- Mom pleads in child beating 4:26 p.m.
- Man has car stolen, gets stabbed 4:21 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Civilians help S.L. officer make arrest
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- House passes health care bill
274 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
216 - TCU showdown has big implications
189 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
98
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
@4:07 from THEM Thank God, you probably own no apartments, and that...
I've been to Mali with this particular foundation, and I just want to say...
I read so many of these negative comments. I think the Cougars play very...
Is there just an endless supply of slimey, no-life, mental midgets who have...
Do you really think that 10+ colleges are that stupid? Lloyd was heavily...
Desert Rat, MJ is just plain good
When I was a young boy, my father emphasized one guiding principle, "Never...
I have no sympathy for the person who impoverished many people and has no...
Hey Felt! How come you don't mention the Pleasant Grove vs. Pittsburg...
WHO really TRUSTS Congress?. The Demo's or GOP. NO ONE DOES. The stats and...



You can be the first to comment on this story.