Arkansas governor orders state to prepare for massive flu outbreak

Saying it is better to be safe than sorry, Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee asked state health officials to develop a plan of action in the event of a massive pandemic flu outbreak. “With the lessons of Hurricane Katrina fresh on our minds, now is the time to aggressively examine how equipped Arkansas is to deal with a bird flu outbreak or any other type of statewide disaster.” Huckabee said at a news conference at the state Division of Health. “We simply have to make sure that all state agencies are coordinated,” the governor said.

He said a forum would be held in Arkansas, most likely next month, with U.S. Health and Human Services (HSS) secretary Mike Leavitt and Julie L. Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Huckabee said there are currently no indications that a pandemic, such as the deadly avian flu, has reached the United States, but precautions must be taken to make sure that if such a virus does strike, Arkansas is prepared.

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