THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

NJCPHP News PHlash

DECEMBER 10 ­ DECEMBER 23 2005

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS
[1] First question in a disaster- The Christian Science Monitor (12/13/05)
[2] Maine senator proposes security standards for chemical plants- AP (12/17/05)
[3] Disaster is not a game -- or is it?- Los Angeles Times (12/18/05)
[4] U.N.: Avian-flu battle is being lost- UPI (12/19/05)
[5] Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist- pandemicflu.gov (12/05)

II. UPCOMING EVENTS
[1] DIMACS Workshop on the Epidemiology and Evolution of Influenza (1/26-27/06)

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS
[1] Call for Papers- Canada's Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program (AMOP)
[2] Avian Influenza Response from USAID
[3] The Nursing Center for Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases Preparedness- Online Course Offerings

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS

[1] First question in a disaster- The Christian Science Monitor (12/13/05) This editorial addresses the key issue of who is in charge during a disaster and how local, state, and federal agencies work together. Whether it's a terrorist strike or a devastating hurricane, first responders and others trying to help in a disaster need one urgent question answered: Who's in charge? Without a firm and understood command structure, lives can be lost.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1213/p08s01-comv.html

[2] Maine senator proposes security standards for chemical plants- AP (12/17/05) U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who heads the Senate Homeland Security Committee, formally introduced a chemical plant security bill with Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. Chemical facilities would be subject to additional safety standards if federal legislation is enacted. "What's impressed me most is the need to act in this area that's just crying out for action," said Collins, whose bill would create national standards for securing chemical plants. She believes the threat is too big for voluntary industry efforts and a patchwork of state laws.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2005/12/17/maine_senator_pro
poses_security_standards_for_chemical_plants/

[3] Disaster is not a game -- or is it?- Los Angeles Times (12/18/05) The city of Chicago has budgeted as much as $500,000 to create video games that will help train about 1,300 public health employees to prepare for a major disaster. The games, paid for by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative, simulate what workers could face in a terrorist attack, natural disaster or massive medical emergency such as an avian flu pandemic. "Everyone wants to avoid a repeat of what happened in New Orleans, so training is clearly a hot topic right now," said Monahan, director of the Center for the Advancement of Distance Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which is developing the training exercises for the city. "Games are a way people can have fun, and still be sure they're learning."
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-na-video18dec18,1,3323932.story?coll=la-headlines-technology

[4] U.N.: Avian-flu battle is being lost- UPI (12/19/05) David Nabarro, avian-flu coordinator for the United Nations, said Monday that the world is "losing the battle" in regard to avian flu in birds. "We are losing the battle against this particular (avian-flu outbreak in birds and domestic poultry). We must focus on stamping it out. This H5N1 virus is slowly changing though genetic re-assortment or mutation. The change is slow, but if this virus undergoes the change that leads to sustained human-to-human transmission, then we have a major problem. Then we probably will have the next human pandemic influenza. This is (a) serious risk."
http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20051219-020051-1072r

[5] Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist- pandemicflu.gov (12/05) In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a key role in protecting employees¹ health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklist for large businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare for emergencies.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html

II. UPCOMING EVENTS

[1] DIMACS Workshop on the Epidemiology and Evolution of Influenza (1/26-27/06) This workshop will explore the epidemiology and evolution of influenza. The persistence of influenza depends on its ability to evolve so that new strains and subtypes of the virus appear and old ones reappear. This constant evolution means that vaccines need to be updated frequently and that resistance to drug therapies can easily arise. The workshop will bring together public health practitioners, immunologists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists to explore the evolution and dynamics of influenza. Among the issues to be explored are the causes and consequences of patterns of immunological cross-reactivity, and the interactions with drug treatment and vaccination strategies. In addition, the applicability of SIR and agent based models to predict the spread of influenza, and the means of dealing with and planning for an influenza pandemic, will be discussed. Pre-registration deadline: January 18, 2005 For more information:
http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/Workshops/Influenza/

For a complete listing of preparedness training events and educational course offerings, please visit the ASPH Centers for Public Health Preparedness Online Education Calendar at:
http://www.asph.org/acphp/educationCalendar.cfm

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

[1] CALL FOR PAPERS Environment Canada's 29th Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program (AMOP)- Technical seminar provides a forum for technology transfer among professionals working in the field of oil spills and hazardous materials spills. It will include a session for the 23rd Technical Seminar on Chemical Spills (TSOCS). This year¹s conference will include a special counter-terrorism session. The seminar will be held from June 6 to 8, 2006 at the Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites at Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For more information about registration and hotel accommodations, see the seminar information page
http://www.etc-cte.ec.gc.ca/news/conferences/amop/amop_call_06.html.

[2] Avian Influenza Response from USAID- The US Agency of International Development has a section on their website devoted to avian influenza. USAID is working to ensure an effective and coordinated approach to this economic and public health threat.
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/home/News/news_items/avian_influenza.html

[3] The Nursing Center for Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases Preparedness in collaboration with the Rutgers College of Nursing Center for Professional Development present online course offerings for nurses and other public health professionals. Eight different courses are being offered on topics including biological weapons, infection control, and psychosocial care. For more information, including how to register, go to http://nursing.rutgers.edu/cpd or call The Center for Professional Development at (973) 353-5895.

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