A meeting at UCF brings together a variety of leaders to discuss the potential pandemic.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/health/orl-avian1406jun14,0,3563209.story?coll=orl-health-headlines
Ashima Singal Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 14, 2006
Avian flu has not reached the Western Hemisphere yet, but public-health workers in Central Florida are not taking any chances.
Preparations are touching all of Central Florida, where leaders from business, schools, public health and government met Tuesday to discuss strategies to battle a potential outbreak of the virus.
Public-health workers are planning a mock vaccination drill in August at the University of Central Florida. They're also eyeing hotels for extra beds, should area hospitals overflow.
School officials are considering online and other off-site classrooms in case buildings are closed. Even restaurants are creating menus to include more alternatives to chicken because they think it will not be a popular menu item.
No one knows whether avian flu, which remains rare in humans, will mutate from the bird population and become easily passed among people.
But health officials meeting at UCF warned that preparations need to start now in case of a pandemic.
Should the virus change and become a threat to humans on a mass scale, the Orlando area would be especially vulnerable because of the huge volume of international visitors who may carry the virus from their country of origin to Florida.
UCF is planning a vaccination drill where a large portion of students and faculty would practice receiving treatment, said Michael Deichen, associate director of clinical services for Student Health Services.
Orange County health officials are examining the practical issues of accommodating potentially thousands of patients once hospitals reach capacity, said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of the Orange County Health Department.
"Where would the quarantines take place?" Sherin said. "[Maybe] in the 10,000 hotel bed rooms."
Schools would be affected by an outbreak of avian flu as well.
If a pandemic occurred and school buildings were closed, classes could continue via the Internet, e-mail, public access, mail and phone, said Mike Ganio, senior manger of security services for Orange County Public schools.
From a business perspective, Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has created dishes with sources of protein other than chicken, said George Williams vice president of government and environmental affairs at the company.
The publicity provides information to the public about avian flu and local actions. The drill offers opportunity for active participation and networking. The lessons learned will help Orlando and other communities. This is what all communities should be doing. I might look for a way to go participate - maybe I could be in the role of a tourist who is in Orlando when it the outbreak occurs.
CR
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