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Region 4 Pandemic Influenza Plan Update

Region 4 Pandemic Influenza Plan Update. Spanish Influenza (1918-1919). Overview Most deadly pandemic in history – 50 to 100 million deaths Virtually every person on earth exposed to it – half got sick Almost no immunity – with unusually high death rates

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Region 4 Pandemic Influenza Plan Update

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  1. Region 4 Pandemic Influenza PlanUpdate

  2. Spanish Influenza (1918-1919) Overview • Most deadly pandemic in history – 50 to 100 million deaths • Virtually every person on earth exposed to it – half got sick • Almost no immunity – with unusually high death rates • Believed to originate in birds in 1917 and early 1918

  3. Avian Influenza Current Threat • Since 1997, outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu have alarmed experts. Why? • In 1997 the genetic blueprint of the Spanish Influenza virus was (finally) mapped. H5N1 viruses are very similar to that of the Spanish Influenza virus • Primary victims (so far) have been chickens –more than 100 million of them have been killed either by the flu, or by futile efforts to contain it

  4. The Big Concern • Common in birds and chickens • Recently found in other animals • Humans infected through exposure to infected animals • Very high mortality rate, thus far • Pandemic possibility if human to human transfer • No known vaccine—6 months to develop

  5. U.S. Poultry Production No. poultry farms = 235K No. of birds = >9.1B 8.5B broilers (meat) 0.3B layers 0.3B turkeys Value of US poultry = $29B $20B broilers 5B eggs 4B turkeys

  6. Background - - President’s Strategy • National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza • Announced by President Bush on November 1, 2005 as part of a $7.1 B FY 06 supplemental request • Strategy based on assumption that pandemic is likely to come in waves, each lasting for months and will remove essential personnel for weeks or months • National Strategy sets broad framework, high level principles • National Strategy supplemented by more specific Implementation Plan for National Strategy

  7. Pandemic Planning National Approach (All Departments & Agencies) • Protect the Health of Employees • Maintain Essential Functions and Services • Support the Federal Response • Communicate to Stakeholders

  8. Region 4 Activities • Cross-Divisional Regional Pandemic Team • Critical activities identified for planning purposes • Activities prioritized and assigned Division Leads • Currently developing operational plans based on five (5) Essential Functions • Plans will identify 3 deep staff where possible for critical activities

  9. Regional Essential Functions • Protect regional workforce • Provide basic management support functions to the EPA workforce, while supporting COOP sites and plans • Manage and coordinate regional response to any emergencies existing or imminent environmental releases or threats to human health • Implement EPA responsibilities under the NRP • Implement delegated responsibilities from Headquarters under federal statues determined to be essential

  10. Essential Functions (cont) • Protect Health of Employees : • Education and risk communication • Communicate health advisories (HHS & DOH) • Enhanced janitorial practices • Social distancing/IT enhancements • Field PPE/health & safety

  11. Essential Functions (cont) • Maintain Essential Functions • Maintain communication with stakeholders and provide program technical assistance and support related to Lead, PCBs, Toxics, Air Toxics, Radiology, Fuel, Air Modeling, Pesticides (Carol Kemker, Doug Neeley, Beverly Spagg) • Support Superfund and RCRA programs by providing Air Toxics monitoring assistance (emergencies) and assistance in radiological hazards (Neeley, Shrieves, France, Mitchell) • Ensure processing/awarding of time critical Continuing Environmental Program grants (Rinck, Persinger, Echols). • Process notices of arrival for pesticides or devices (Benante, Toney, Gettle)

  12. Essential Functions (cont) • Assist state/local air agencies to prepare variances and waiver requests due to lack of approved fuels. Also, assist state/local agencies with any critical rule-making/regulation development or permit as necessary. (Prince, Davis, Benjamin)

  13. Essential Functions (cont) • National Response Policy (NRP) Support • Lead Agency for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10- Oil and Hazardous Materials Response • Support Agency for: • ESF 3 – Public Works and Engineering – drinking water & wastewater issues • ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services (HHS) • ESF 11 – Agriculture and Natural Resources (USDA) – includes pesticide evaluation/recommendations

  14. Offer recommendations and technical assistance on carcass disposal and decon issues Serve as a Disposal Unit Leader in Avian Flu Response Task Force lead by USDA Register pesticides for decon Sector lead for water security - assist in communications with the water sector Regulate concentrated animal feeding operations so they don’t impair water quality EPA Roles and Responsibilities for AI… support to USDA and DOI

  15. Conclusion • Communication • Share emergency contact info • Share operational plan • Communicate needs you may see in your state relative to preparation • Planning • Pandemic Planning is addressing infrastructure needs to support continued funding (grants, contracts, payroll, etc.) • Drills that may involve state partners

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