H1N1 Flu Home Page

 

The purpose of this website is to provide tools for schools on how to respond during the upcoming H1N1 Influenza season.  This site will be updated to reflect new developments in the understanding of the virus, its spread, treatment and prevention as needed and will serve as a primary resource for schools throughout the flu season.

 

Development of the website was a result of the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools federal grant received by the Saginaw County ISD for pandemic influenza planning for schools.  The content of this website has been a collaborative effort among the Saginaw County Department of Public Health, Bay County Health Department, and the Midland County Department of Public Health.

 

It is important to note that while the website focuses on novel H1N1 influenza, it is also intended to serve as the template for responding to large-scale outbreaks of other highly infectious respiratory diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other potential pandemic influenzas.

 

LEGAL AUTHORITIES:  

Legal authorities to protect the public in a public health emergency are contained principally in two statutes and their related administrative rules: 

  •     The Michigan Public Health Code, Act 368 P.A. of 1978 as amended, sections 2451 and 2453, authorizes the SCDPH to respond to imminent dangers to health, lives, and to epidemics. Imminent danger means a condition or practice which could reasonably be expected to cause death, disease, or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of the danger can be eliminated through enforcement procedures otherwise provided. 

     

     

  • The Michigan Emergency Management Act, Act 390 P.A. of 1976, authorizes the governor of the state of Michigan to declare a state of emergency, disaster, or heightened state of alert. PA 390 designates the director of the Michigan State Police (MSP) to implement such orders and to coordinate operations in response to municipal disaster prevention, mitigation, relief, and recovery operations between all local, county, state, and federal entities. Coordination of these response activities is managed through the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.