About the Guardian
The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness (BETP) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide its readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of citizens and communities in Michigan. For questions or comments please contact Rachel Ruddock at ruddockr@michigan.gov.
Michigan Prepares App Wins
Award
The
Michigan Prepares Emergency Plan App was recognized by the National Public
Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) in a national competition honoring excellence in
public health communication. Michigan
Prepares won a gold award in the social media category for its Michigan
Prepares Emergency Plan App, which was created by the Bureau of EMS, Trauma and
Preparedness (BETP) as an easy to use app that allows you to quickly create,
store, and email an emergency plan - all from your mobile device.
Download
the app today in the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. Learn more about
public health emergency preparedness at Michigan.gov/prepares.
“Volunteer
Management is Main Focus at Cornerstones Conference”
Submitted
by Rob Kelly, Region 3 Healthcare Coalition Coordinator
The Region 3 Healthcare Coalition hosted this year’s,
“Cornerstones in Preparedness” Conference in Bay City on June 17th. This
year’s conference theme focused on volunteer management. Various volunteer
groups that work in emergency preparedness and response were invited to present
on behalf of their organization. Presenters included the American Red Cross,
Midland Search and Rescue, Region 3 Regional Response Team (Hazmat), the
Michigan Volunteer Defense Force, Saginaw County CERT and Citizens Corps.
Virginia Zimmerman from the Michigan Department of Health
and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP) also
presented on the Michigan Volunteer Registry Program. The Registry is part of a
national network of state based systems designed for the advanced registration
and credential verification of volunteers needed to help augment patient care
and surge capacity needs during an emergency. An overview of the Registry was provided
explaining how the program provides a website where volunteers can access information
regarding specific events, exercises and drills in addition to general
knowledge and training.
Overall, around 100
regional partners attended the conference representing hospitals, EMS, public
health, emergency management and long- term care facilities.
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The Re-emergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the
Gain-of-Function Debate
Researchers in mBio examine the possible origins of the 1977-1978 influenza
epidemic and its relevance to the current gain of function debate (GOF). They examine current evidence along with
three possible release origins: a laboratory accident, a live-vaccine trial
escape, or released as a biological weapon. After examining the evidence they
cannot conclude that any of the three possible release origins is the
definitive answer. However, the evidence
suggests the most plausible origin is a live-vaccine trial escape. The current debate points to lab releases as
a concern, however, the authors suggest the 1977-1978 influenza outbreak had
different lab conditions which make it less relevant.
Read More>>
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