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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/30/2007 11:56 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/30/2007 11:56 PM
Expires: 01/01/2012 12:00 AM
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"National Public Health Week" Next Week!
Public Health Week is celebrated nationally each year during the first full week of April. Established in 1995, it is an opportunity for public health departments across the nation to focus on a common public health issue that is important to improving the public’s health. This year, the Calaveras County Public Health Department joins with other local health departments to bring important information to communities on preparedness and public health threats....
Nationally, a variety of man-made and natural disasters have occurred in the past six years, including the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Locally, Calaveras County experiences periodic fires and flooding and had an extended heat wave last year. Recent national surveys indicate that Americans remain largely unprepared for emergencies. One study found that only 27% of the public had a three-day supply of water, food and medicine and a reliable first aid kit. Many did not have an emergency plan in place. Emergency planning helps assure that individuals and families can take care of their basic needs for a few days during a disaster.
Preparing for a health emergency is similar to preparing for a natural disaster, according to Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer. “The Public Health Department wants to ensure that residents and community leaders have the necessary information to establish a plan that will cover a variety of emergencies,” stated Kelaita. Emergencies that arise from a health threat and emergencies from natural disasters both require that families have adequate supplies of food, water and other resources.
Health officials are currently planning for the possibility of a worldwide outbreak of influenza, or a flu pandemic. A report on planning for a flu pandemic was presented by the Public Health Department to the County Board of Supervisors in March. “Preparing for a flu pandemic also includes planning for medical care needs in the family home, knowing how to prevent flu infection, and knowing how to access accurate information during an emergency,” said Colleen Tracy, Public Health Director. A new emergency preparedness card, Calaveras Prepared, has been developed by the Public Health
Department that covers general preparedness and pandemic flu preparedness for individuals and families.
Tracy reported that the card is being broadly distributed to groups in the County. All local preschools and elementary, middle and high schools are receiving preparedness cards for distribution to families during Public Health Week. The cards are being given to all medical providers in the community and local pharmacies for patients and customers. Additional supplies are being delivered to the Senior Center in San Andreas, emergency preparedness committees in West Point and Mountain Ranch, and local libraries. The Public Health website at www.co.calaveras.ca.us has posted the Calaveras Prepared card and additional preparedness materials and preparedness links for the general community and businesses. Information and planning materials for pandemic flu are also posted on the Website.
“No one knows when a flu pandemic will challenge us again but we can be assured that it will happen,” said Dr. Kelaita. Flu pandemics recur naturally and can cause many serious illnesses and deaths. “Our best defense is to be informed and prepared,” Kelaita stated.
The Calaveras Prepared card is available from the Calaveras County Public Health
Department at 754-6592 or 1-800-754-8889.
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