On Wednesday, November 2, we participated in a conference call with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Relations. The topic of discussion was the threat of an avian flu pandemic and, more specifically, the role of state and local officials, in the event of such a pandemic.

This is a serious threat that merits your attention. During the Twentieth Century, the world suffered through three influenza epidemics. The "Spanish flu" of 1918-19 killed more than 500,000 people in the United States and up to 50 Million people all around the globe. The "Asian flu" epidemic of 1957-58 caused about 70,000 deaths in the U.S. and between 1-2 Million worldwide. And the "Hong Kong flu" of 1968-69 claimed some 34,000 lives in our country and around 700,000 in all.

Your role, in the event of a pandemic, will be crucial. We want to point you to both Federal and State information sources, so that you will be prepared to play your part. You should also be in contact with your local Health Officer to advise you on what steps they may have already taken to prepare for a Pandemic.

All citizens should be aware of the official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. It can be accessed at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/. The President's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza is at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza.html. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pandemic Influenza Plan is at http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/. This is especially important for you as a local leader, please note that Part 2 of the Plan provides "Public Health Guidance for State and Local Partners."

The State's Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has developed, for citizens, a Public Health Guide to Emergency Planning, which deals with all public health emergencies. It can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/health/er/documents/citizens_guide.pdf. And DHSS also has a Draft Influenza Pandemic Plan that you can view at http://www.state.nj.us/health/flu/pandemic.shtml.

We, ourselves, are in the process of learning all we can on this topic. For more information contact Jon Moran at 609-695-3481, ext. 21.