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Howard County Avian Flu Summit

(University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security) -- On May 16, 2006, the Horizon Foundation and the Howard County Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) sponsored a day long summit on pandemic flu preparedness.  Over 300 attendees representing Howard County and Maryland responder agencies discussed strategies for preparing Howard County for the potential onset of a pandemic.

CHHS Director, Michael Greenberger, J.D., gave a key presentation examining the best and worst case scenarios should a pandemic hit Howard County.  Professor Greenberger’s talk was based on the empirical research data included in a paper he co-authored with CHHS Consultant, Darren P. Mareiniss, M.D., J.D., M.Be, who also attended the conference.  Dr. Mareiniss stated that “In the event of a widespread pandemic, it is unlikely that the federal government will be able to mobilize resources and administer care to all afflicted communities.  As a result, local and community health response efforts will likely play a central role in any national pandemic preparedness plan.”  He added that “conferences such as the Howard County summit are integral to the planning and organization of such local response efforts and should serve as a model for other communities.”