Drill tests state’s pandemic flu readiness

Friday, Aug. 3, 2007

The exercise was designed to evaluate the state’s ability to respond to the widespread ailment.

‘‘Exercises such as this further our readiness and polish our ability to coordinate and respond,” said state Health Secretary John M. Colmers in a statement.

‘‘This particular event will help us to identify where our response plan is appropriate and where there is room for improvement.”

The scenario involved a deadly strain of human influenza virus, born in the Far East, that can be rapidly transmitted via personal contact. As part of the drill, cases have appeared in the United States, and Maryland is awaiting lab confirmation of several suspected specimens.

It was the first time that Maryland’s Community Emergency Response Teams, known as CERTs, were mobilized to conduct needs assessments as part of implementing home quarantine and community containment measures. Hospitals and emergency care centers also tested their ability to handle an afflicted patient.

The drill assessed the state’s ability to receive and distribute medical supplies, as well as test communications and emergency operations centers.

More than 7,000 Baltimoreans died in October 1918 during an influenza pandemic that killed 50 million people worldwide. A similar outbreak today could spread faster and cause many more deaths.

‘‘History tells us influenza pandemics are inevitable. Experts tell us the world is overdue for a pandemic,” Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said in a statement. ‘‘Maryland is a world leader in advanced biomedicine and we are determined to stay ahead of any pandemic flu. This drill is an important step toward protecting our families in the event of an outbreak.”

More information about the exercise, including a list of participating agencies and jurisdictions, may be found at http:⁄⁄flu.Maryland.gov.

E-mail Alan Brody at abrody@somdnews.com.