Local leaders said the region is prepared for the swine flu in the fall, following a Tuesday afternoon meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty spoke after holding a closed-door meeting with Napolitano in which the four leaders discussed emergency preparedness in the Washington region.
Each jurisdiction submitted plans to deal with the swine flu, formally known as the H1N1 virus, to the Department of Health and Human Services as of midnight Monday, Napolitano said.
The jurisdictions are emphasizing vaccinations, washing your hands often, especially after sneezing or coughing, and avoiding contact with others if you have flulike symptoms.
Napolitano said the federal government doesn’t anticipate restricting travel as a result of the flu, but officials have met with airlines and businesses to discuss the possibility.
O’Malley and Kaine said they would be prepared to deal with the virus despite the significant state budget difficulties they are facing.
The Virginia governor appeared earlier in the day with state health commissioner Karen Remley at an elementary school in Alexandria to announce measures the state is taking to combat the virus. The state health department expects to start immunizing susceptible groups when the state receives the H1N1 vaccine in October. The department anticipates having enough vaccine to immunize everyone who wants it.
“We will continue to focus on activities that will keep Virginians safe and healthy, especially susceptible groups such as children as they return to school,” Kaine said.
O’Malley said last week that with good management, Maryland should be up to the challenge of dealing with the flu. Budget cutbacks have “absolutely” had an effect on county health departments in Maryland, he said, but added that the state has learned from outbreaks in the spring.
“We’re going to get the job done,” he said.
Though the state was experiencing a brief lull in reported cases, Maryland was “preparing for the worst in the face of many unknown variables,” said John M. Colmers, secretary of health and mental hygiene.
Kaine said that while recent cutbacks in Virginia have not been pleasant, public health will remain a priority.
