Gov. Doyle: Declares Public Health Emergency

Governor Jim Doyle

Madison WI – Governor Jim Doyle today declared a public health emergency in Wisconsin in response to the presence of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in the state.

“Only weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ranked Wisconsin among the best prepared states in the nation when it comes to dealing with pandemic flu. We are prepared to meet this challenge,” Governor Doyle said. “Health officials here in Wisconsin have been working around the clock to monitor this situation and respond appropriately. I encourage people to go about their daily lives as usual, but use precaution and common sense, and follow the direction of our health officials.”

The Governor’s declaration:

Designates the Department of Health Services as the lead agency to respond to the public health emergency; and Directs the Department of Health Services to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to incidences of Swine Influenza A in the state; and Directs the Department of Health Services to access and distribute the state and federal antiviral stockpiles in response to the public health emergency as the State Health Officer determines is advisable; and Directs the Department of Health Services, as part of the antiviral response, to take any measure it deems necessary and appropriate to make an antiviral available to persons within the State, regardless of insurance or other health coverage, as needed to respond to the public health emergency; and Suspends the provisions of any administrative rule, if the Department of Health Services determines that compliance with that rule would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary actions to respond to the emergency and increase the health threat; and Authorizes the Adjutant General to utilize Wisconsin National Guard Direct personnel and resources as necessary and appropriate to assist in the State’s response to the public health emergency; and Direct all state agencies of the State of Wisconsin to assist as appropriate in this ongoing response.

For the latest information about the swine flu, including the latest situation reports and updates on flu cases in Wisconsin, go to: http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/. The list of states with the numbers of people who are confirmed cases is updated daily at 11am at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Posted @ 5:39 p.m.