MDH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE NEWS
AUGUST 2015
From the Director
This has been a busy summer here in the section of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), with new grant
award activity, work on exercises, and progress being made on hiring several new positions.
To start off the summer season, we received news from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that MDH, in
partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC) under a competitive application process, was awarded an
approximately $3.25 million five-year grant to establish UMCC as the DHHS Region V Regional Treatment Center for patients with
Ebola or other highly infectious diseases.
With the help and support of partners, we have recently completed two full-scale CRI and RSS exercises, and are in the planning
stages of a statewide full scale public health and healthcare exercise this coming year.
Last, but not least, we are in the process of hiring an emergency preparedness planner, a SNS/MCM coordinator, a CRI planner, a
medical surge planning coordinator, two Ebola planners, and a support person to work with hospital contracts, data and reports.
None of this summer activity could happen without the staff here at MDH, and you, our partners. I thank you all for your contributions and hard work. Enjoy the wrap up to your summer!
Cheryl
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response
In spring 2015, the Midwest U.S. experienced a devastating outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 mainly among
commercial turkey and table-egg layer flocks. In Minnesota, over 9 million birds on 108 farms located in 23 counties were affected. The role of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was to monitor and protect human health and to support the other
responding agencies. Activities included monitoring the health of poultry workers, providing guidance on infection control and
the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and serving as a source of information on avian influenza for farm workers, flock
owners and the public.
When the Zoonotic Diseases Unit at MDH was informed of a presumptive positive turkey or chicken flock, MDH staff would contact the flock owner or manager and all workers associated with the infected flock. Individuals who had contact with the infected
poultry were interviewed, evaluated for exposure, and then monitored over a 10 day period by MDH for the development of respiratory symptoms or an eye infection. Individuals were given the choice of receiving phone calls, text messages or emails inquiring about their symptoms. Over half of the monitored individuals elected to receive text messages from MDH.
From March 4 until the last flock was identified in early June, MDH interviewed, evaluated and completed monitoring for 379 individuals. Fifteen individuals who reported influenza-like symptoms were tested for influenza. No human infections with the H5N2
HPAI virus have been identified, and like all influenza viruses, H5N2 is not considered a food safety risk.
Inside this Edition
From the Director, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response, Behavioral Health Response to HPAI,
CRI Full Scale Exercise, Preparedness Apps for Mobile Devices, Meet the Staff, Important Dates
PHONE: 651-201-5700
FAX: 651-201-5720
[email protected]
Behavioral Health Response to HPAI
Continued from page 1
On April 28, 2015, at the request of the MN Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Behavioral Health Medical Reserve Corp
(BH MRC) was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to provide behavioral health support services in response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N2 outbreak. The BH MRC, which is comprised of volunteer disaster behavioral health specialists, is coordinated by MDH.
The BH MRC connected with local public health in the most heavily HPAI H5N2 impacted counties (Kandiyohi, Stearns, and Meeker) to determine what, if any, behavioral health support services were needed. They provided responder self-care, stress management, and Disaster Distress Helpline information and resources to county, state, and federal disaster responders. Teams of BH
MRC volunteers were deployed to provide Psychological First Aid trainings and support services at a community forum in Stearns
County. Local public health connected with partners and shared behavioral health information with clergy, community leaders,
and other stakeholders.
CRI Full Scale Exercise
Continued from page 1
The Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response would like to thank all our local public health partners for putting together
a successful Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) full-scale exercise this past June. Over three days, local public health staff trained and
exercised collaboratively – sharing their knowledge of mass dispensing and incident management across the CRI and with EPR colleagues.
EPR staff and our CDC project officers had the opportunity to visit multiple sites and see emergency preparedness staff in action –
from training local law enforcement, to setting up a department operations center, to managing bottlenecks at a local dispensing
site and providing health education to MRC volunteers. We saw a lot of creative, innovative practices and have some good lessons
learned – both for ourselves and our partners. Thanks again for participating!
Preparedness
Apps for
Mobile Devices
First Aid App
The First Aid app is an easy way to
get lifesaving first aid instruction
anytime, anywhere. Features include step-by step instructions and
videos for first aid scenarios, a 9-11 call button, as well as safety and
preparedness tips for a range of
conditions including severe weather and disasters.
Download this free app:
http://www.redcross.org/mobileapps/first-aid-app
Meet the Staff
Erin McLachlan- Healthcare System Preparedness Coordinator
Erin McLachlan comes to Minnesota after working in emergency management in
New York City for the last 14 years. In NYC, Erin worked for the Regional Catastrophic Planning Team, the NYC Office of Emergency Management and the NYC
Office of Chief Medical Examiner. In 2011, Erin worked in South Sudan with Doctors Without
Borders. Erin is working on developing, implementing and evaluating the work plan deliverables with the Healthcare Coalitions and on the Crisis Standards of Care Plan.
Emily Moilanen—Healthcare System Preparedness Planner
Emily began in EPR as an intern in March 2014. During this time, Emily assisted
with the research, design, and implementation of a Public Health Incident Leader training. After graduating with her MPH from the University of Minnesota in
May 2015, Emily was hired as a Planner in the Healthcare System Preparedness Program. In
this role she will be working on planning for access and functional needs populations, public
engagement on crisis standards of care, and exercise planning.
Important Dates
September 2015
October 7-9, 2015
2015 National Preparedness Month
2015 Community Health Conference
http://www.ready.gov/september
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/opi/pm/conf/