BISMARCK, N.D., April 23, 2007 –  The North Dakota Department of Health in conjunction with North Dakota’s local public health units will be conducting exercises across the state throughout late April and May. All of the exercises will be focusing on planning for pandemic influenza. Participants that have been invited include health-care facilities, first responders and many other community partners.

“These exercises are designed to bring together members of the health and medical communities, as well as other response partners, and test plans and procedures we have in place,” said Tim Wiedrich, section chief for emergency preparedness and response. “If a pandemic hits, we all need to work together. That is why planning together now can make such a big difference.” 

While there is no pandemic influenza in the world today, recent reports of a new influenza virus being spread from birds to humans in Asia have drawn attention to the possibility that pandemic influenza could develop. During the tabletop exercise, participants will discuss how different agencies would respond to a scenario of widespread influenza. 

“We have been working hard in the past year to update and strengthen our plans for responding to a pandemic,” said Wiedrich. “We hope these exercises will show us some of the weaknesses and strengths of those plans, and allow us to move forward with our planning efforts.” 

Exercise Information:Please note – all exercises will run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Tim Wiedrich at 701-328-4520