Pennsylvania Department of Health Workshops Will Help Businesses Prepare for Flu Pandemic

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Department of Health will hold a series of pandemic planning workshops in July to help ensure businesses are ready for the current influenza pandemic and the possible resurgence of the 2009 Novel Influenza A/H1N1 virus this fall.

“The World Health Organization’s recent declaration of a global pandemic underscores the importance of having a solid, functional pandemic plan in place,” said Secretary Everette James. “The workshops will provide Pennsylvania’s business and industry leaders with valuable tools they can use to keep their employees healthy and their businesses open during influenza pandemics.”

The workshops are designed for those involved in pandemic and continuity of operations planning. The sessions will outline employers’ responsibilities to their workers, as well as focus on strategies businesses can use to protect their employees and get them to stay home when they are sick to prevent spreading illness.

Panel and interactive table discussions will allow participants to share best practices and pandemic planning ideas.

The workshops will start at 8 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. at the following locations:

• July 15 — Wilkes University, Henry Student Center, Ballroom, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre.
• July 21 — Westmoreland County Community College, Commissioners Hall – Mon Valley and Laurel Dining Rooms, 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood.
• July 22 — Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Pogue Student Center, 405 Scotland Road, Edinboro.

The workshops, which are being funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are coordinated by the Office of Public Health Preparedness, which supports the Department of Health’s efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from all acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.

To register for the workshops or learn more about pandemic influenza planning, visit www.health.state.pa.us or www.pandemicflu.state.pa.us.

    CONTACT:  Stacy Kriedeman
    (717) 787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health