Media Advisory                     October 18, 2004

Public Health Staff Plans for an Influenza Pandemic

The World Health Organization predicts that an influenza pandemic will assault the world sometime within the next 5 years.  In a similar outbreak in 1918, the Spanish Flu killed 20 to 40 million people worldwide.  The Public Health Unit has been working with Grey-Bruce community partners for several years to plan for the next influenza pandemic. 

On October 22, Medical Officer of Health Hazel Lynn, along with other key Public Heath planners, will update Public Health Unit employees about their roles and responsibilities in response to the potential worldwide spread of a devastating disease. 

As another component of the morning, public health nurses will administer flu shots to staff at 9:00 a.m.

Media representatives are invited to attend the session, where they can interview Dr. Hazel Lynn and take photographs.

Date: Friday, October 22, 2004

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Location: Bayshore Community Centre

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For more information:

Susan Shular

Program Manager, Communicable Diseases

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456