Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: May 4, 2006
Contact: Maria Wah-Fitta (401) 222-3998

Rhode Island Reports Progress on Influenza Pandemic Planning

Yesterday, the federal government released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. This document describes the way in which efforts and resources will be brought to bear in a coordinated manner against this threat. The Plan describes more than 300 critical actions, many of which have already been initiated, to address the threat of pandemic influenza.

"Yesterday's release of the federal Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan underscores the need for every state, every community, and every family to prepare for an influenza pandemic. Public-private planning will be key in the upcoming months, and we are trying to facilitate that process" said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health. "We are asking every Rhode Islander to be informed and be prepared. Any and all steps we take to prepare for pandemic influenza would also be useful in any other type of emergency where people would need to rely on their own resources for some time," he added.

In November, Governor Carcieri asked Dr. Gifford to lead the statewide planning and preparedness effort to respond to a pandemic of influenza. Gifford and Robert Warren, the Executive Director of the state Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), led a working group that developed a statewide pandemic influenza response plan. The planning process is ongoing, and includes planning coordination and exercises with hospitals across the state, ongoing planning workgroups with the Department of Environmental Management and the Emergency Management Agency, regional coordination between the six New England States and the State of New York, and many other initiatives.

"I have made pandemic influenza preparation one of our state's highest priorities. Through our planning, Rhode Island has put in place the essential building blocks to minimize the impact of an influenza pandemic on society," Governor Carcieri said. "Every state agency in Rhode Island has developed a Continuity of Operations Plan, which have been filed with RIEMA. This is a good start to ensure that essential functions of government and essential services will continue to be available during an influenza pandemic. However, we must continue to strengthen our preparedness."

The original pandemic influenza working group has expanded into a Statewide Pandemic Influenza Advisory Group, which includes all sectors of society. The first official briefing for this group will take place on May 31 at the Sheraton Hotel in Warwick, from 8 am to 10 am. (This meeting will be open to the media).

Other upcoming planning meetings that are scheduled are:

· Technical Briefing Conference Call for News Directors and Senior Editors- open to all media- May 24, 8:30 to 9:30 am. (Dial-in instructions to be announced separately).
· Working meeting with College and University Presidents- June 1. Please note that this will be a working meeting as is not open to media.

The Pandemic Influenza preparedness checklists for Individuals and Families can be found at: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html. The Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist can be found at: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html. For more information, visit the federal Website on pandemic influenza, www.pandemicflu.gov or HEALTH's Website at www.health.ri.gov .