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Health Department Planning Pandemic Flu Exercise

The Knox County Health Department will conduct an emergency preparedness exercise next month.  The exercise is part of the department's large scale plan, and it'll take place on June 5th.


Health Department Administrator Greg Chance tells WGIL the scenario is the identification of a unique virus in the community that has influenza-like symptoms and a very aggressive infection rate.  "A public health emergency will be declared," Chance said.  "In that, we will provide antivirals (medications) to targeted, at-risk populations.  In this particular exercise, we'll be focusing on getting (medications) dispensed to at-risk populations that reside in group institutions, such as long-term care facilities, etc."


Chance anticipates at least 20 group homes will participate in the exercise.


The health department is involved in a large-scale exercise every three years. Chance says exercises like the one planned next month are geared to eliminate the need for those individuals to have to go to a large site in the event of an actual outbreak of pandemic influenza.
05 09 08 by Newsroom
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