FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Theresa Lyczko at 274-6714, Sigrid Connors at 274-6603
 

Pandemic Flu Plan Released by the New York State Department of Health

February 24, 2006

In response to the New York State Department of Health release of its Pandemic Flu Plan Alice Cole, Tompkins County Public Health Director announced that she has been overseeing the development of a local pandemic flu preparedness plan. For the past several months, she and her staff have been gathering information and working with local partners.

Mrs. Cole explained that the Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) takes the threat of pandemic flu seriously. The TCHD is proactively developing a comprehensive pandemic flu preparedness plan in conjunction with the guidelines the State has set forth. The plan will include protocols for disease surveillance, public information and education, protection of special needs populations, communication and coordination with partner agencies, and mass vaccination clinics. Cole stated that, “there is no pandemic influenza in the world today, however the Tompkins County Health Department, in cooperation with local partners, will continue to support efforts at the local, state, and national levels to prepare for a possible flu pandemic.” Cole concluded, “the state and local pandemic flu plans will enable Tompkins County to better respond to the health and social challenges of a possible flu pandemic.”

The TCHD recommends that residents take the following steps toward personal preparedness for any emergency event:

• Food and Water
  Have a supply of canned and dried food and fresh water on hand – enough for several days. Although basic utilities such as electricity and water should remain on, there may be disruptions in some services. Grocery stores may not have enough staff to remain open.
• Items for Personal Comfort
  You may want to have extra items on hand to make your time at home more comfortable: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, cleaners and activities for children
• Cash
  Make sure to have some cash on hand.
• Pets
  Make sure you have enough food and water for them and other necessi
ties such as litter.
• Phone
  If there are disruptions to power, you will need to have a phone that does not run on power from an electrical outlet such as a standard “wired” phone. Wireless phones will not operate when the power is out. Cell phones will operate as long as they are charged.
• Medications and Equipment
  If you must take medications on a regular basis, be sure to have enough of a supply to last for several days.
• Large Trash Bags
  Garbage service may be disrupted or postponed for many days. Have bags on hand to store garbage safely.

The Tompkins County Health Department will continue to keep residents informed of any new developments on the threat of pandemic flu.

For updates:
www.tompkins-co.org/health
www.health.state.ny.us
www.pandemicflu.gov

- 30 -