PENNSYLVANIA IS PREPARED FOR POTENTIAL PANDEMIC

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 19 – State Sen. Connie Williams is pleased with Pennsylvania's preparedness level in planning for a potential pandemic influenza outbreak.

 The Pennsylvania Department of Health briefed legislators this week on not only how close Pennsylvania may be to a pandemic outbreak of influenza, but also the steps being taken to prevent such an outbreak.

 "After hearing the presentation, I feel confident that Pennsylvania's Health Department is remaining vigilant in its efforts to monitor the progress of a potential pandemic, as well as taking steps to educate the public and prepare for an outbreak with measures to lessen the impact of a pandemic on Pennsylvanians," Williams said.

 To be considered a pandemic, the outbreak must be worldwide. In preparation for a possible pandemic event, the World Health Organization is involved in the planning process, as is the federal government. There are six phases in a pandemic cycle, of which the nation is currently at phase three (where it has remained for the past five years). At phase three, the flu is seen in animals and humans; however, it is not at a human-to-human transmission stage. The current avian flu is now seen to be spreading to mammals, not just birds.

 The federal government is working on a vaccine for the disease as it exists today, but will have to continue to develop new vaccines in response to changes in the influenza itself.

 "In Pennsylvania both the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture are doing their part to monitor any outbreaks of avian flu in birds and animals, as well as ensuring citizens are prepared," Williams said. "There are steps that people can take to protect themselves and their families."

 To prepare, people should consider the following:

• Make a kit of essential supplies for your home (food, water, medicine) as you would for any emergency.

• Practice good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and regularly cleaning surfaces that are touched by multiple people.

• Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and get sufficient sleep.

• Stay home from work or school when sick.

• Get a yearly flu vaccination (please consult your doctor first).

• Discuss health care concerns with your health care provider.

• Volunteer with local organizations to help in emergency response.

 Individuals interested in volunteering for emergency disaster response efforts may do so through SERVPA, an online registry for medical and non-medical volunteers at www.servpa.state.pa.us. Registering does not guarantee that people will be called upon, nor does it require people to participate if they are called.

 Those registered will be notified of volunteer opportunities and the commitment required. They can then choose if volunteering for the specific event is right for them.

 For more information on what Pennsylvania is doing to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic, people may view a variety of resource materials on the Department of Health's Web site at http://www.pandemicflu.state.pa.us. People may also call the CDC hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO.