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PR-05/04/2007: San Mateo County Pandemic Plans Tested Today

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2007 San Mateo County Health Department Contact: Beverly Thames, (650) 573-3935 SAN MATEO COUNTY PANDEMIC FLU PLANS TESTED TODAY FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- More than 300 San Mateo County leaders today struggled with the uncertainty and chaos of an influenza pandemic in a drill that tested how well the community is prepared for a major health threat. The drill scenarios took participants from reports of small clusters of human-to-human transmission abroad to a full-blown outbreak of pandemic influenza within San Mateo County in a matter of weeks. The intense four-hour drill brought together representatives from local government, law enforcement, the fire service, courts, the business community, health care, schools and community- and faith-based organizations. The exercise was the most ambitious yet in San Mateo County's leading efforts to prepare for a potential pandemic. Participants were tossed new facts every few minutes and had to think through the potential impact on everything from health services, the food supply, schools, jails and transportation. "San Mateo County and the communities contained within are not prepared to deal with a severe pandemic. However, many of the gaps identified in this tabletop exercise can be addressed and mitigated by continued intense planning between sectors," Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer said. When asked for the big learning or "aha" moments during the exercise debrief, attendees responded they had not thought about the financial and supply chain implications of a pandemic and that communities must be prepared and self-sufficient because outside help will not be available. One of the main goals from the exercise was to put assumptions to the test and to have representatives from disparate agencies scrutinize the plans of others. Today's exercise was hosted by the San Mateo County Health Department at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. The Health Department will continue to work with community partners to improve pandemic flu plans and look for opportunities to do more exercises. In another year, the Health Department is considering bringing everyone together again for a functional drill in which response team members will practice their assignments. In May 2006, San Mateo County held a two-day pandemic influenza summit to develop public-private partnerships and build community resilience in the wake of a global epidemic. Day one of the summit was designed for health care professionals. Day two brought together stakeholders to educate them about pandemic influenza and to begin a planning process between the private and public sectors. This tabletop drill is the culmination of the past year's planning efforts. An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak that occurs when a new type of flu surfaces and rapidly spreads from person to person. Three influenza pandemics have occurred during the 20th century, starting with the "Spanish Flu" of 1918-1919, that resulted in more than 500,000 deaths in the United States. Pre-pandemic planning is vital because, unlike a usual flu season, a vaccine may not be available for many months or may only be available in a limited supply. For more information on pandemic influenza and San Mateo County's preparedness plans, go to www.smhealth.org/pandemicflu. # # #