Wisconsin to become CDC north; new flu research center planed at UW-Madison

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http://www.rivertowns.net/daily/pch/c060317/ Wisconsin to become CDC north; new flu research center planed at UW-Madison At the request of the Centers for Disease Control, Wisconsin will become "CDC North" a new flu research center is to be built and the state is getting $1.8 million in federal aid to help prepare for a flu pandemic. These were some of the announcements to come out of Wednesday's flu pandemic readiness summit held in Madison. Wisconsin was chosen to become CDC North because the state laboratory of hygiene is implementing a state-of-the-art molecular test to detect antiviral resistance in influenza viruses. The state laboratory is only the second laboratory in the country to have the technology and is the first public laboratory in the country to have it, according to Gov. Jim Doyle's office. Madison will also become a key player in the fight against the rapidly spreading avian bird flu which many fear will spawn a worldwide pandemic. University of Wisconsin-Madison officials announced at the summit that a new $9 million influenza research facility is in the works for the campus. "Many individuals are at risk. We were alarmed by the virus's spread throughout Asia," said Mellon, associate dean for research policy. "No one thought it would spread as rapidly as it has beyond Asia." University officials announced plans Wednesday to construct the "Influenza Viral Research" facility at its existing University Research Park on the west side of the city. The new 20,000-square-foot facility will have specialized lab facilities designed for flu research and is expected to be ready by fall 2007. Officials say that the new facility will help the university understand emerging strains for influenza - including avian bird flu. The

facility will house a research group headed by Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a professor of pathobiological sciences. University officials point out that Kawaoka's group are world leaders in influenza research and are noted by the World Health Organization as one of the world's preeminent influenza projects. The group's research has also been noted for helping drug companies and vaccine manufacturers react quickly to emerging flu strains. A flu pandemic readiness summit included both state and national health, government, military, business, and emergency response leaders including Azar, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "It is my hope that today's summit will serve to strengthen the foundation of our response efforts to any emergency, as well as provide a forum to encourage our partners to take the next steps in preparing for a potential pandemic," Doyle said. During the summit Doyle and Azar signed an agreement on how the state

and federal government are planning for a possible pandemic. The agreement included over $1.8 million in federal financial assistance to help the state make preparations for a pandemic. Doyle also announced other preparations the state is making including the creation of an Avian Influenza Coordination Team made up of the departments of Health and Family Services, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The preparations also call for both the DNR and DACTP to be added to the state's homeland security council.

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