What exactly is a 'public health emergency' and should I panic?

"As a consequence of confirmed cases of Swine Influenza A (swH1N1) in California, Texas, Kansas, and New York, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Charles E. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 247d, do hereby determine that a public health emergency exists nationwide involving Swine Influenza A that affects or has significant potential to affect national security."

- April 26,2009 public health emergency declaration, from Acting HHS Secretary Charles E. Johnson

When Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced Sunday that Health and Human Services was "declaring a public health emergency," she was quick to downplay the implied intensity of the declaration.

Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, center, in the White House Press Briefing Room
during a news conference to discuss reported Swine Flu outbreaks, Sunday, April 26, 2009.
Standing behind her are White Press Secretary Richard Gibbs, right, and Dr. Richard Besser, left,
Acting Director Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

"That sounds more severe than really it is," she said at the White House briefing, calling it "standard operating procedure," and comparing it to the actions taken at the recent Midwest floods and the inauguration.

Napolitano explained that the declaration "allows us to free up federal, state, and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation."

In the HHS press release about the PHE, Acting Secretary Johnson explained that the "PHE will enable the FDA to review and issue emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for the use of certain laboratory tests to help detect the newly discovered strain of influenza and for the emergency use of certain antivirals."

When a PHE is declared, according to public health experts, state and local agencies respond by preparing to test more thoroughly, preparing more antiviral supplies and organizing all teams that are necessary to address the emergency. This surge of additional activity, plus the boost in the number of potential cases, is part of that response, and is covered by the budget submitted to Congress in the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness spending report.

According to the HHS report, the PIP plan includes:Expanding and diversifying domestic vaccine production and surge capacity;

Enlarging H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine and antiviral drug stockpiles;

Supporting advanced development of cell culture and antigen sparing influenza vaccines and new antiviral drugs;

Supporting advanced Development of point-of-care clinical diagnostics;

Stockpiling medical supplies and ventilators;

Improving State and local preparedness;

Expanding risk communication efforts;

Enhancing FDA’s regulatory science base; and

Expanding surveillance, research, and international collaboration efforts of CDC, NIH, and the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs.

While the CDC does give out instructions for state and local municipalities to follow during a PHE, each state's response is different, depending on the extent of the spread of the virus or other agent.

In New York, for example, where eight cases of the swine flu strain have been identified, Gov. David Paterson's office issued a press release Sunday, explaining that the PHE "enables the State and localities to receive quicker access to vital resources, and other necessary assistance."

"We are implementing comprehensive plans that have been developed and practiced for many years and will mobilize our stockpiles of medical supplies as needed,” said Dr. Richard Daines, the NY Department of Health commissioner.

In Georgia, the process is "early in the planning stages," according to Tim Padgett, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) All Hazard Chairperson for Area 5, which encompasses the northwest region of the state. Padgett, who has received notification from both GEMA and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, told Examiner.com that they are taking the "all hazard approach" to the problem, meaning that at this stage, the preparations are no different than for any other disaster emergency.

The Area 5 council plans to meet later today. "[We're going to] get our plans dusted off and make sure we're all singing off the same page," Padgett said.

State of Georgia officials were unavailable for comment Monday, as state offices were closed for a holiday.

For more info: Get the latest news on the swine flu outbreak from your favorites at Examiner.com.

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