BACKGROUND:
In a typical year, influenza kills approximately 36,000 people in the United States. In the past, influenza pandemics have occurred approximately every 10 to 40 years. Given that 35 years have elapsed since the last pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many public health officials around the globe consider another influenza pandemic inevitable. These historical precedents, coupled with the emergence of novel influenza viruses in parts of Asia, serve as reminders of the threat of another influenza pandemic and underscore the need for coordinated and advanced planning for public health emergencies.
Over the past several years, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has worked to develop a state-specific preparedness response plan for pandemic influenza. The most recent efforts involve conducting a tabletop exercise to evaluate selected operational aspects of the Maryland Pandemic Influenza Plan. The exercise is scheduled for April 2004.

OBJECTIVE:
- Assure that strategies are in place for effective and rapid communication between agencies and systems involved in the Plan,
- Clarify roles and responsibilities (including the leadership structure) for state-level government officials and others in responding to an influenza pandemic, and
- Identify risk communication messages and key issues in developing a coordinated public information plan during an influenza pandemic.
- Describe the process of pandemic influenza planning in Maryland, with emphasis on conducting a tabletop exercise, and
- Highlight lessons learned from this process.

METHOD:
- Identification of qualified vendor to develop and conduct a Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise
- Host Tabletop Exercise
- Review and implement recommendations from Final Report resulting from exercise

RESULT:
Pending

CONCLUSION:
Pending

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon attending this presentation, the audience should be able to:
- Identify key components of planning for pandemic influenza,
- Apply the lessons learned in Maryland to public health emergency planning activities in his or her own jurisdiction