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June 8, 2004
LIHUE, HAWAI`I - The Kauai District Health Office is holding a
conference on bioterrorism preparedness from June 14th
through 16th at the Aloha Beach Resort in Kapa`a. Public
health professionals, medical care providers, emergency responders, and
community leaders across the state will gather to learn a variety of
aspects on bioterrorism preparedness and emergency medical
response.
"The conference is part of an overall strategy to help prepare and
protect Kauai for any bioterrorism event," comments David Lane, Ph.D.,
Bioterrorism Preparedness Planner for the Kauai District Health Office.
The Hawai`i State Department of Health is working with Kaua`i Civil
Defense, Kaua`i Police and Fire departments, hospitals, and community
partners to develop plans and procedures to respond to a bioterrorism
event such as a release of a biological agent like anthrax or smallpox.
"Our goal is to prepare the island," says Dr. Lane. "Over the next
months, we’ll be developing plans for mass immunization clinics
and other health safety procedures in case they’re needed. We
hope we never have to use these procedures, but like our island’s
hurricane and tsunami preparations, planning is important."
Guest speakers at the conference include Dr. Scott Lillibridge, a
former Center for Disease Control Branch Chief in Bioterrorism and Dr.
Steve Waring, an active veterinarian and professor in Epidemiology at
the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Local
presenters include: Mark Marshall, Kauai Civil Defense Administrator;
Gary Greenly, Hawai`i State Department of Health, Strategic National
Stockpile Planner; and staff from the Hawai`i State Department of
Health Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Branch.
Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) training certificates and
continuing medical education credits are available for conference
attendees. For more information, contact Jason McKnight at (808)
645-0514 at the Kauai District Health Office.
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For more information contact:
Jason McKnight
Health Education Specialist
Hawai`i State Department of Health, Kaua`i District Health Office
Phone: (808) 645-0514
Email: jmcknight@mail.health.state.hi.us
Darcie Yukimura
Public Information Specialist
Hawai`i State Department of Health
Phone: (808) 586-4402
Email: dayukimura@mail.health.state.hi.us
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