UPDATE - Pandemic Flu Exercise
June 26, 2008

Word Document Format

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Tucson, AZ 85723

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
NEWS RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda K. Reynolds, PAO
J.L. Pepe Mendoza, Assistant PA Officer          (520) 792-1450 Extension 1819
 
For Immediate Release - Update
June 26, 2008

THIS IS AN EXERCISE MESSAGE
(NOT AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY)

Tucson, AZ - The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is participating as part of a national Department of Veterans Affairs Pandemic Influenza Exercise.  This exercise is designated to provide VA medical centers with an opportunity nationally to assess their individual readiness for an influenza pandemic outbreak.  A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is not vaccine.

SAVAHCS has been actively participating in this exercise since Monday - June 23, 2008 and will continue to participate until Friday June 27, 2008.

Each day will correspond with different points in a pandemic wave, starting with Day One equaling 2 weeks after pandemic flu was reported in the U.S.  A list of "focus areas" has been established, based primarily on the exercise goals and objectives for SAVAHCS.

This interagency exercise will focus specifically on the initial field level response to a Pandemic Influenza outbreak.  It will be conducted in a no-fault, no inspection, learning environment as a valuable training tool for response personnel. 

For further information contact Pepe' Mendoza, Public Information Officer at (520) 629-1819.