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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 13, 2002
| Contact: |
Dr. Diana Yu, Thurston County Health Officer, 360-786-5581 X-6951 |
|
Sherri McDonald, Director-Health and Social Services,
360-786-5581 X-7680 |
Health
Officials Remind Public, No Imminent Threat From Smallpox
OLYMPIA – President George W. Bush today outlined the
federal reaction to the potential threat of a terror-based outbreak of
smallpox. The presidents’ plan
dovetails nicely with the plan developed by the Washington State Department of
Health. Thurston County Health
Officials have also been working on the issue and will continue to work with
the state and federal governments to ensure that local residents have the best
protections should anything actually happen.
However, Thurston County Health Officer Doctor Diana Yu
reminds county residents that there have been no smallpox outbreaks and there
is no risk to the public at this time. Dr.
Yu says there are several key points to consider in the smallpox discussion.
- There
is no new threat. There are
no cases of smallpox.
- The
health departments and hospital smallpox response workers are continuing
to finalize their plans for smallpox vaccination of essential hospital and
health department response teams.
- Thurston
County has not received any vaccine at this time and officials do not know
when it may be available from the federal govt.
- Dr.
Yu is not recommending smallpox vaccination for the general public.
- Any
plans for vaccinations will be announced via newspapers, television and
radio.
Anyone wishing
more information on smallpox can call the Thurston County health line
at 709-3080 to
hear a recorded message. Or they
can visit the county website at www.co.thurston.wa.us.
More information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control
at www.cdc.gov or from the State Department
of Health at www.doh.wa.gov.
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