Preparing for a Pandemic
By Rep. Betty Boukus
Public Health and government officials are working hard against an enemy they can’t see. I had the honor of sitting with the governor, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and about 1000 doctors, nurses, first responders and municipal health officials as we discussed the inevitability of a global outbreak of disease.
Preparation will save lives. That was the central message of the Pandemic Planning Summit. A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. Pandemics have occurred throughout our history and public health officials all agree there will be another – the questions are: when and what magnitude?
When? We cannot control when there will be a global outbreak. What magnitude? This is where preparation is key – preparation will allow us to act quickly to treat the ill, make sure our hospitals are not overwhelmed by the number of ill, and slow the spread of the disease.
Governor M. Jodi Rell opened the summit and stressed the importance of preparation and awareness to avoid the millions of deaths that occurred during the three influenza pandemics of the 20th century (1918, 1957, 1968).
HHS Secretary Mike Leavit outlined the major components of preparing for and responding to a pandemic. The federal plan includes:
Intensifying global surveillance of disease outbreaks and collaboration on containment issues
Stockpiling antivirals and vaccines
Increasing hospital surge capacity
Creating a seamless network of federal, state and local preparedness
Developing a public education and communication effort
Secretary Leavitt said. “Pandemic planning needs to address how schools, businesses, public agencies, faith-based organizations and others participate in pandemic preparedness. With this meeting, local officials can identify needs specific to Connecticut communities and begin crucial coordination to assure readiness if a pandemic outbreak strikes.”
At the state level, we cannot wait for federal action. We must also work to increase our awareness of potential outbreaks and make sure local public health officials have the help they need to prepare. In December, Governor Rell created a team of state agencies—Public Health, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Agriculture and Environmental Protection-- to ensure that Connecticut is prepared to meet public health issues arising from a possible global outbreak of flu or other disease. Governor Rell is working hard to make sure Connecticut is prepared from the Capitol to town hall.
Charles Motes, a Plainville resident and Southington’s Director of Public Health, attended the summit. “Our residents need to know that state and local agencies are working closely together to protect the health and safety of each and every one of us, no matter what the circumstances. Health emergencies affect us in our local communities and. we have to be ready to respond quickly to our own needs, in our own towns. Our local, regional and state plans help us to do this.”
Pandemic is not something that you think about every day – but it is important that the public understands that elected officials and public health experts are thinking and planning to put Connecticut in the best position to deal with any outbreak.
Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is serving her sixth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. Betty is an Assistant Majority Leader and vice-Chair of the Public Safety Committee and serves on the Veterans and Commerce committees.