News Releases for June 2002
June 7, 2002
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Hoeven Announces Approval Of North Dakota's Bioterrorism-Preparedness Grant Applications
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today announced that North Dakota has received approval of its applications for the state’s share of the $1.1 billion in federal funds allocated to improve bioterrorism preparedness.
North Dakota submitted a bioterrorism preparedness plan for the $6.9 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in April to help state and local health departments prepare for and respond to bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease and other public health threats and emergencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which are administered by HHS, notified the Office of the Governor Thursday that $6.5 million has been approved and that an additional allocation of about $400,000 is forthcoming, pending refinement of a portion of the plan.
“These grant applications are the result of extensive planning and collaboration by a diverse team of public- and private-sector professionals,” Hoeven said. “More than 100 people representing a wide variety of organizations - including the medical community, law enforcement, the universities, state and local public health and various state agencies - contributed to the development of North Dakota’s applications. The resulting plans reflect what key stakeholders feel is necessary for the state to respond effectively to a potential bioterrorism event.”
In general terms, the funding will improve the state’s ability to detect and investigate infectious diseases, will expand laboratory testing capabilities and will improve communications among local, state and federal health services - both public and private.
“Although the funding is earmarked for bioterrorism preparedness, in reality these dollars will help strengthen the state’s public health infrastructure,” said State Health Officer Terry Dwelle, M.D., M.P.H.T.M. “In the end, North Dakota will be better prepared to detect and respond to any public health emergency that threatens its citizens.”
North Dakota’s proposals include:
- Forming an advisory committee to oversee and guide state efforts toward improving bioterrorism preparedness.
- Establishing eight regional bioterrorism planning areas, with one local public health unit in each region employing a full-time regional bioterrorism preparedness coordinator.
- Enhancing the state’s capability to detect and investigate diseases by forming eight regional epidemiology-response teams and developing “real-time” disease-notification systems for laboratories, pharmacies, emergency medical services, etc.
- Designing a communications system that provides a 24/7 flow of critical health information among a variety of stakeholders, including the state health department, local public health units, laboratories, health care organizations, law enforcement and public officials.
- Providing increased training for state and private laboratories; enhancing communications within the state’s laboratory network.
- Forming an education advisory committee comprised of stakeholders to provide guidance in the selection and delivery of bioterrorism education and training; offering nationally developed bioterrorism and other related public health training to key public and private health professionals.
- Developing a comprehensive statewide plan for responding to incidents of bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease and other public health emergencies.
“I appreciate the commitment shown by everyone involved in developing North Dakota’s grant proposals and plans,” Hoeven said. “The enthusiasm and cooperation evident throughout this process makes me confident that we can work together to meet any public health challenge North Dakota may face.”
The official funding period is February 2002 through August 2003. Federal bioterrorism funding to states is expected to be ongoing.
For more information about North Dakota’s plan, contact Larry Shireley, North Dakota Department of Health, at (701) 328-2694 or lshirele@nd.gov. More information also can be found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website at www.hhs.gov/news.
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