California Holds Summit to Prepare For Influenza Pandemic

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late last month -- jointly with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky -- convened a summit of local, state and federal health officials and community leaders to enhance the state's preparedness for a possible influenza pandemic and outline steps the state will take to ensure California is ready if a pandemic strikes.

A release from the Governor's Office outlined some of the measures taken to prepare the state:

• $27.6 million to strengthen state and local influenza pandemic planning and response efforts. Also, these funds will purchase more than 270,000 doses of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication.
• $6 million to expand disease surveillance, strengthen the state's laboratory infrastructure and build surge capacity.
• $17.3 million for a public education campaign and emergency preparedness hotline to help Californians prepare.

"These additional resources will not only strengthen California's preparedness for an emergency, but will also strengthen our public health infrastructure," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "California has the building blocks in place to protect the public from an influenza pandemic, but we must continue to strengthen our preparedness."

In addition to budget proposals, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) has drafted a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan, which focuses on detection, response and recovery efforts during an outbreak. Major components of the plan include intensifying surveillance and collaborating on containment measures, stockpiling antivirals and vaccines and increasing their production, increasing health care surge capacity and developing public education and communication efforts to keep the public informed.

"Pandemics are global in nature, but their effects are always local," said Leavitt, "so I am pleased that Gov. Schwarzenegger is committed to preparing California for this threat. Unlike past pandemics, we have the opportunity to plan and prepare. Strong partnerships and smart planning will be our best protection."

DHHS will provide $6.7 million to California and an additional $2.9 million to Los Angeles County for influenza pandemic planning activities.