What is Illinois doing to address the threat of pandemic flu?
The Illinois Department of Public Health is charged with leading state government and its public health and health care partners in the event of a catastrophic infectious disease outbreak, such as an influenza pandemic. The Department developed a pandemic influenza response plan in 2001 that is continually being updated to stop, slow or otherwise limit the spread of a pandemic. Recently, the Department joined the Office of the Governor and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to develop an emergency plan for responding to an influenza pandemic. The state, as well as local health departments and other public health partners, frequently exercise all or parts of the plan to test the state’s preparedness. In the event a vaccine against a pandemic flu is available, the Department has developed plans for mass immunizations. And the state has reviewed its laws and regulations pertaining to its authority to impose isolation and quarantine orders, and restrict public gatherings, such as at
