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N.C.`s Ability to Handle Pandemic Flu Discussed at Summit
A summit was held Tuesday in Raleigh to discuss North Carolina's ability to handle a potential pandemic flu.
Easley said that North Carolina is a national leader in putting in place critical communications and distribution procedures, but like other states, needs the federal backing to make those preparations more effective.
"In North Carolina, we will not look to the federal government to ride in, mid-pandemic, to save us," Easley said. "We were one of the first states in the nation to create a pandemic flu response plan and our emergency workers will be ready to lead the charge on the front line, but it is going to take a bigger federal investment.
"The President's budget includes just $350 million to help all 50 states and localities prepare for a pandemic," Easley said. "In North Carolina, we have only received $1.4 million so far, and I can tell you that will not cut it.
North Carolina was one of the first states in the country to create a Pandemic Influenza Response Plan . The plan outlines responsibilities for citizens, local government and state officials and provides details on how public health officials would determine what actions need to be taken to contain the infection.
Officials said 177 people worldwide have contracted the Avian flu from birds, and more than half of those people have died.
"Public health experts have been monitoring the bird flu more closely since 1997 when the first documentation of bird to human transmission was evident," said state health director Leah Devlin. "This transmission to humans is very rare, occurring only with very intense exposure of a person to very sick birds."
In the event of a pandemic flu, officials said 30 percent of the population in the United States could be affected at a cost of $675 billion to the nation's economy.
Officials said one of the biggest concerns about the pandemic flu is how it would affect the economy. Conservative estimates show that 40 percent of the workforce would stay home as a result of either being sick, caring for someone who is sick or being afraid of catching it.
Speakers at the summit included Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Gov. Mike Easley, state health director Dr. Leah Devlin and representatives of the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also part of the summit.
Reporter: Amanda Lamb
Photographer: Chad Flowers
Web Editor: Kamal Wallace
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