Focusing on South Carolina
May 2009
Focus: Pandemic Preparedness – Swine Flu Virus
SC Statistics:
- As of May 1st, laboratory tests confirmed that 13 South Carolinians had contracted the swine flu (H1N1) virus.
- The 13 people with the virus are all associated in some way with a recent school trip to Mexico. That trip was sponsored by an independent school in Newberry.
- The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is working with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to identify and track any additional cases that might arise.
Why is this a public health priority?
The human-to-human transmission of swine flu has been established. Such transmission, combined with the prevalence and frequency of international travel, places our global society at considerable risk. With confirmed cases across the United States and in many European Countries, the swine flu outbreak has achieved pandemic status (a global outbreak). The World Health Organization has designated the current outbreak with its peak pandemic phase classification indicating widespread human infection. Controlling the outbreak through various intervention strategies will take collaboration at the local, state, national and global levels.
What is the role of SCPHI in addressing this priority?
The leadership and staff of the South Carolina Public Health Institute have considerable experience in public health preparedness at the local, state and national levels. SCPHI’s executive director, Dr. Donna Richter, has served as principal investigator on numerous preparedness-related projects, and has spoken nationally on strategies for pandemic preparedness and containment. Dr. Lee Pearson, the deputy director of SCPHI, has also led several research and training efforts in public health preparedness. Most recently, he served as principal investigator for a statewide effort designed to promote disaster awareness and preparedness among the citizens of South Carolina. This combined experience positions SCPHI to work with key stakeholders in providing guidance that serves to minimize the spread of this virus and its impact on the citizens of South Carolina.
Who are SCPHI’s key partners in this effort?
SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
USC Center for Public Health Preparedness
