LOCAL HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AGAINST SWINE FLU

 

NEWS FROM DON KNABE

Supervisor, Fourth District

County of Los Angeles

822 Hahn Hall of Administration

 

 

 

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           Contact:         David A. Sommers

                                                                                                                                        (213) 974-1095

                                                                                                                                        (213) 453-6446 (cell)

 

 

LOCAL HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AGAINST SWINE FLU

 

 

LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2009 – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion by Supervisor Knabe to declare a local health emergency as a routine, precautionary measure should cases of the swine flu spread into Los Angeles County.

 

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declared a federal Public Health Emergency as a precautionary step that allows the federal and state government easier access to federal resources. The federal government is making available to states 25 percent of antivirals and other response materials in Strategic National Stockpile. Los Angeles County has the authority to issue a similar declaration to allow it to respond appropriately to protect the public health of County residents.

 

Although no cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Los Angeles County, public health leaders believe it is reasonable to expect cases will be identified in the near future as a result of increased surveillance. 

 

“It is critical for the public and media to understand that this declaration is simply a routine measure the County takes during a potential emergency,” said Knabe. “By issuing an emergency declaration, the County is positioned to quickly accept funding or assistance for the federal and state government should cases of Swine Flu develop in Los Angeles County.”

 

###