Public Health Preparedness

Pandemic Influenza Resources

In the last 300 years, the world has experienced 10 influenza pandemics, three in the last century alone. No one knows when the next pandemic will occur or where it will develop. It is also unknown whether H5N1, the current form of “bird flu” being observed in some parts of the world, will evolve into the next strain for a pandemic.

Distance Learning training available on the ETV closed circuit satellite network

The Emergency Health Powers Act in a Public Health Emergency: The EHPA and Local Responders
Description: The Emergency Health Powers Act will be presented by Matthew S. Penn, JD attorney with SCDHEC and gets at the question of "Do you know your role if the Governor declares a public health emergency for either a pandemic influenza, emerging infectious disease outbreak or other catastrophic incident affecting thousands of your citizens?"
Target audience: law enforcement supervisors, elected officials, city managers, city attorneys, public information officers, public safety, hospital staff with legal responsibilities, CEOs, medical examiners, other healthcare providers and coroners should attend this session.
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Time: 9:40 - Noon
Satellite Network Channel: 310
Presentation handouts (ppt)
Streaming Video of the Presentation (wmv)

Pan Flu: Prepare. Prevent. Plan Now. DHEC and South Carolina ETV teamed up to develop "Pan Flu: Prepare. Prevent. Plan Now."
This informative program looks at the situations that South Carolinians could face during an influenza pandemic and steps to take to prepare. Experts and community leaders discuss the state's response including communications, distributing medications, preparing our communities and families, and how to prevent its spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pandemic Influenza UPDATE provides interesting and insightful information about the potential of a pandemic. Remember, the information contained in each newsletter is current for the publication date. Some of the details have been updated since that date.

DHEC and other health agencies have been planning for a potential influenza pandemic for several years. The publication of South Carolina’s pandemic influenza response plan (SC Emergency Operations Plan, Attachment H, Annex 25, page 35) in 2005 signals the start of planning at many levels. In a pandemic, everyone in the state will be impacted in one way or another. Planning for yourself, your family, your business or school is an important step.

Below are links to resources that can help you prepare. Some of the information is contained inside DHEC’s web site. Others will take you to sites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the official federal government site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

Families & Individuals

Health Care Providers

Faith-based and Community Organizations

Businesses

Schools