US not prepared for pandemic, study says

[Guest guest]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States remains unprepared for

disasters ranging from biological attacks to a flu pandemic, and

funding for preparedness is falling, according to a report released on

Tuesday.

Many states still lack a stockpile of drugs, masks, gloves and other

equipment needed to battle a pandemic of diseases, despite five years

of constant and detailed warning, the Trust for America's Health said

in its report.

" Overall, federal funding for state and local preparedness will have

declined by 25 percent in 3 years if the president's FY (fiscal year)

2008 request is approved, " the report reads.

" Until all states measure up, the United States is not safe. "

The nonprofit Trust has been issuing reports every year for five

years, and said the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which five people died

when anthrax spores were mailed to several offices, should have been a

wake-up call.

The disasters caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita that wrecked the

U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 should have galvanized more action and

highlighted a variety of problems with U.S. disaster preparedness, the

group said.

But the report released on Tuesday still finds preparedness is spotty.

" Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute emergency

vaccines, antidotes, and medical supplies from the Strategic National

Stockpile, " the report reads.

" Twenty-one states do not have statutes that allow for adequate

liability protection for healthcare volunteers during emergencies.

Twelve states do not have a disease surveillance system compatible

with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National

Electronic Disease Surveillance System, " it added.

" Seven states have not purchased any portion of their federally

subsidized or unsubsidized antivirals to use during a pandemic flu.

Seven states and (Washington) D.C. lack sufficient capabilities to

test for biological threats. "

Health experts agree that a pandemic of some sort of disease is

overdue and believe the H5N1 avian influenza circulating in Europe,

Asia and Africa is the most immediate threat.

World Health Organization experts are now investigating a cluster of

human H5N1 cases in Pakistan where it is possible there has been human

to human transmission of the virus, usually passed rarely from birds

to people. It has infected 340 people and killed 209 globally since 2003.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials said

people should understand that local officials are trying to prepare

when they can but said it shared concerns that federal funding was not

being kept up.

" Diseases recognize neither state nor local boundaries and every link

in the local, state and federal chain of protection must be strong, "

the group said in a statement.

http://news./s/nm/20071218/ts_nm/disaster_preparedness_usa_dc_1

[Guest guest]

In fact, the US isn't prepared for much of anything in the way of disaster. I found it interesting that in the recent fires in southern California the San Diego people had everything under control long before anyone from the Feds showed up. Preparedness has to begin on a local level because the Feds couldn't find their way out of a paper bag.Don <DCFrench@...> wrote: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States remains unprepared fordisasters ranging from biological attacks to a flu pandemic, andfunding for preparedness is

falling, according to a report released onTuesday.Many states still lack a stockpile of drugs, masks, gloves and otherequipment needed to battle a pandemic of diseases, despite five yearsof constant and detailed warning, the Trust for America's Health saidin its report."Overall, federal funding for state and local preparedness will havedeclined by 25 percent in 3 years if the president's FY (fiscal year)2008 request is approved," the report reads."Until all states measure up, the United States is not safe."The nonprofit Trust has been issuing reports every year for fiveyears, and said the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which five people diedwhen anthrax spores were mailed to several offices, should have been awake-up call.The disasters caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita that wrecked theU.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 should have galvanized more action andhighlighted a variety of problems with U.S.

disaster preparedness, thegroup said.But the report released on Tuesday still finds preparedness is spotty."Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute emergencyvaccines, antidotes, and medical supplies from the Strategic NationalStockpile," the report reads."Twenty-one states do not have statutes that allow for adequateliability protection for healthcare volunteers during emergencies.Twelve states do not have a disease surveillance system compatiblewith the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's NationalElectronic Disease Surveillance System," it added."Seven states have not purchased any portion of their federallysubsidized or unsubsidized antivirals to use during a pandemic flu.Seven states and (Washington) D.C. lack sufficient capabilities totest for biological threats."Health experts agree that a pandemic of some sort of disease isoverdue and believe the H5N1 avian

influenza circulating in Europe,Asia and Africa is the most immediate threat.World Health Organization experts are now investigating a cluster ofhuman H5N1 cases in Pakistan where it is possible there has been humanto human transmission of the virus, usually passed rarely from birdsto people. It has infected 340 people and killed 209 globally since 2003.The National Association of County and City Health Officials saidpeople should understand that local officials are trying to preparewhen they can but said it shared concerns that federal funding was notbeing kept up."Diseases recognize neither state nor local boundaries and every linkin the local, state and federal chain of protection must be strong,"the group said in a statement.http://news./s/nm/20071218/ts_nm/disaster_preparedness_usa_dc_1 . Do one thing every day that scares you. Eleanor Roosevelt