South Carolina Prepares: Pandemic Influenza Summit
DHEC kicked off the effort to help South Carolinians prepare for a possible influenza pandemic with a summit in Columbia on March 2, 2006. This meeting featured presentations from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford and DHEC Commissioner C. Earl Hunter.
Gov. Sanford and Commissioner Hunter listen as HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt speaks at summit.
Each speaker emphasized the importance of planning prior to the emergence of a pandemic strain. Planning is crucial to reduce the impact on the economy and individuals’ daily lives.
Commissioner Hunter and Dr. Lisa Waddell addressed public health concerns during the summit.
The summit brought together leaders from various public and private organizations. Each has an important role to play in preparing the state for the possibility of a pandemic. For this reason, similar summits are planned for other regions of the state.
If you attended an influenza summit in South Carolina, DHEC is interested in your comments and concerns about additional planning issues. Please use the 'Contact Us' tab located in the top navigation of this page to submit your comments. Thank you.
Summit Presentations
- Pandemic Planning: “South Carolina Prepares” South Carolina’s Pandemic Readiness and Emergency Planning Conference (ppt)
- South Carolina Pandemic Flu Planning (ppt)
- HHS Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Planning (ppt)
- Avian Influenza: Agricultural Perspectives & Interventions (ppt)