Transcript Slide 1
Planning for Pandemic
2009 H1N1
Key Interagency Points
COOP / COG
CI/KR
Interact with the Public / Business Community
1st Responder Support
Social Distancing
School Closure
Higher Ed
Cancelling Public Events
Behavioral Health
Ongoing Initiatives
Operationalized (for H1N1) State PanFlu Plan,
recently reviewed by Feds and updated. Monitor
stock levels.
Provide daily Situation Reports to state leadership.
Coordinate with partners for deployment of state antiviral
stockpile
Posting H1N1 info on WebEOC
Coordinating with DOE and DMHMRSAS
DOE working closely w/ PUBLIC Schools
DMHMRSAS w/ CSBs
Ongoing Initiatives
Develop Guidance Documents / Outreach:
DOE/ Higher Ed, Healthcare, Responders, Pharmacies,
etc.
Received SNS material and operationalizing
distribution plan.
Active Public Communications Campaign
Updating Website, Press Releases, FAQs, talking points
daily+.
Daily Thematic Press Teleconferences, Interviews
Talking Point Virtual Library
SWINE FLU ICS
DR. KAREN REMLEY, COMMISSIONER
Incident
Commander
Dr. Mark Levine
Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Incident
Commander
Rob Oldham, MD
PIO
Phil Giaramita
Planning Chief
Bob Mauskapf
Technical
Advisors
Safety Officer
Joanne Wakeham, PhD
Logistics/Administration/
Financial Chief
Stacey Ferrer
Operations Chief
Dr. Diane Helentjaris
35 District Health
Planning Units
District Planners
Situation Unit Leader
Steve Harrison
Liaison Officer
Joe Hilbert
CHS Branch
Director
Jeff Lake
Epi Branch Director
Diane Woolard, PhD
HR
Becky Bynum
35 Local Health Dept. Units
District Directors
Education Branch Director
Suzi Silverstein
Hospital/Medical Community
Branch Director
Bill Berthrong
EMS Unit Leader
Jim Nogle
Lab Branch Director
Dr. Jim Pearson
Fatality Mgmt Director
Dr. Leah Bush
Behavioral Health Branch
Director
Beth Nelson, DMHMRSAS
DCLS Laboratory Testing
Initially performed validated seasonal flu assay for A/H1,
A/H3, and influenza B; forwarding “untypeable” (probable
swine flu) specimens to CDC
Modified test algorithms and performed Swine flu testing
on specimens when the patient met the VDH/DCLS case
criteria
Implemented electronic system to pre-accession and
track swine flu samples; VDH Regional epidemiologists
approved sample submission and assigned numbers
based on criteria prior to file transfer to DCLS
Prepositioned specimen collection kits in OCME regional
sites and all District HD for redistribution to medical
facilities statewide
Expanded courier schedule to 7 day pickup at District HD
locations
DCLS Laboratory Testing
Verified the CDC-Emergency Use Approval (EUA) Swine
flu assay in 3 days; CDC certified to report confirmed
(positive) influenza A/H1 (swine) results
Continued to test respiratory viruses and sub-type
seasonal influenza A for H1 and H3 to meet obligation as
a WHO reference laboratory
Updated website information, established a laboratory call
center, emailed and blast-faxed laboratory safety,
specimen collection and shipping information to Sentinel
physicians, sentinel laboratories, and District HDs.
Modified LIMS applications; implemented reports and
queries;
Enhanced electronic messaging to provide results to VDH
and CDC using HL7 reporting standards
Diverted and trained additional staff from other parts of
DCLS to support accessioning, testing and reporting
Pandemic Influenza Planning:
Health
Risk communications
Community containment
Antiviral distribution plan
Mass vaccination
Medical surge, healthcare coalitions
Surveillance and investigation
Laboratory services
Fatality management
Altered standards of care due to resource
limitations
Issue: Antivirals
Federal stockpile of antivirals growing
VA has 770 K courses on-hand
Rec’d 280K add’l courses from SNS
For Treatment only: Distribution Through
Pharmacies+++, in accordance with VDH SNS / Medical
Countermeasure Distribution plan
Increasing supply and production capacity
Discussion of increased prophylaxis use
AV Prescription Abuse; Stockpile implications:
Avg. Day: AB Co. receives orders for 6k courses
5/3: 600k courses; Allocations established.
Vaccines
No H1N1 Vaccine yet developed; Working.
VDH has a robust and frequently tested
Statewide Mass Vaccination Plan an
element of VDH Strategic National
Stockpile / Medical Countermeasure
Distribution Plan
Pandemic Influenza Planning:
Non-Health
Command and Control
Public Safety Sustainability
Community containment measures
Continuity of Operations:
Economic impact
School closure / Event cancellation
Isolation
Voluntary quarantine
Government entities
Critical infrastructure: Courts, economy, trade, business
Agriculture, water and food chain safety
Human resource issues, policies (public and private)
Extended Pandemic Influenza
Planning
Include involvement of:
DOD Installations
Courts
Schools/Colleges and Universities
First responders – fire, EMS/Public safety, Law
enforcement
Business community/Private sector
Media
Assisted living and other social services programs
Volunteer, non-profit groups/Faith community
Coordinated planning of federal, state, local
governments and agencies
Public Information Issues
Integrity of media lists
Importance of setting clear guidelines and
sticking to them
Control messages by maintaining consistent
news flow
Value of networking to dispel contradictory or
false information
Partnership support on staffing needs
Timely approval process
Lessons Learned
Refine human resource, purchasing, and financial
management guidelines for statewide application.
Improve State Agency familiarity on Continuity of
Government plans and policies, and develop
additional measures where gaps were identified.
Define and determine “essential personnel” in
consideration of a protracted event and assure
measures are in place to provide for augmentation
personnel and cross-training.
Lessons Learned (cont’d)
Identify state, local government and private sector
essential infrastructure and services.
Consider Enforcement and Inspection waivers if
needed due to staff shortages and to assure
business continuity.
Evaluate legality of suspending FOIA laws
pertaining to electronic meetings, quorums and
public meeting requirements at the state and local
levels, and determining if meeting requirements can
be suspended, waived or modified so that state
boards can meet on the telephone or electronically.
Develop social distancing messages/protocols and
public countermeasures.
Lessons Learned (cont’d)
Prioritize supply chain services and resources to
ensure essential needs are met. Consider
stockpiling of essential supplies where
appropriate.
Resolve misconceptions on responsibilities for
fatality management.
Work with the media in delivering educational
information to the public.
Vigorously pursue improvements to telework
policies and capabilities.
PanFlu COOP
Discuss expectations with staff early
Communications will be key
Need reliable, credible sources of information
Need coordinated communication channels
Rely on both internal/external channels
May need to consider relief for regulatory
requirements
Coordinate vertically and horizontally.
Cross-train
Succession is a two-way street.
Questions?
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu