Stand-To!- Pandemic Influenza - Mon, December 03, 2007

Mon Dec 3 09:22:45 EST 2007

 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif> 
Edition: Mon, December 03, 2007
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-12-03> 

TODAY'S FOCUS

Pandemic Influenza

The Army, led by HQDA G-3/5/7 War Plans, is working along with our sister
services and the Department of Defense (DOD), to team with other federal
agencies in preparing the nation to deal with a potential pandemic outbreak
of influenza.

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new
influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for
which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person,
causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the
world in very short time.

What is DOD doing to prepare for Pandemic Influenza? Since the publication
of the DOD Implementation Plan for Pandemic Influenza in August 2006, the
Secretary of Defense's principal responsibility in responding to a pandemic
will be to protect U.S. interests at home and abroad. Our pandemic defense
will include assisting partner countries to prepare for and detect an
outbreak, respond should one occur, and manage the key second-order effects
that could lead to an array of challenges. 

What can Soldiers and Family Members do to prepare for a flu pandemic? Some
recommendations from military health experts on ways to reduce your risk of
contracting any form of flu include: 
* Get vaccinated every year.
* Practice basic infection control techniques, such as washing your hands
often and correctly, and coughing or sneezing into your sleeve.
* Monitoring your own health for prompt self-diagnosis of flu symptoms to
reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

What efforts does the DOD plan to continue in the future? The top priority
is the protection of DOD forces, comprised of the military, DOD civilians
and contractors performing critical roles, as well as associated resources
necessary to maintain readiness. Also, it is critical to ensure DOD is able
to sustain mission assurance and the ability to meet our strategic
objectives. Priority consideration is also given to protect the health of
DOD beneficiaries and dependents.

For more information on national guidance for Pandemic Influenza:

* Pandemic Influenza Watchboard <http://fhp.osd.mil/aiWatchboard/> 
* Pandemicflu.gov <http://www.pandemicflu.gov/> 
* HHS.gov <http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/> 
* USDA.gov
<http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?navtype=SU&navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA> 
* CDC.gov <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/> 
* Whitehouse.gov <http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/pandemicflu/> 
* Redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/panflu/> 
* WHO.int <http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/> 
* DHS.gov <http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/editorial_0760.shtm> 

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

*	2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993>  - Read the 2007 Army Strategic
Communication Guide for key messages and updates. 
*	Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879>  
*	Army Public Affairs Portal
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363> 

WEEKEND SPORTS WRAP-UP

*	Navy claims sixth straight football victory over Army
	(AFIS <http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48290> )

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

*	Army charges Iraq vet over self-inflicted gun wound (ST
<http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004047625_reed02.html> )

*	Five from 82nd awarded Silver Stars (AT
<http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/army_silverstars_071202w/> ) 
*	Army may furlough civilian workers here (HA
<http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071203/NEWS0
8/712030329/1018/NEWS08> ) 
*	Advanced diagnostics will point the way (SAS
<http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50680> )

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

*	Sunni bloc ends boycott of Iraqi Parliament (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/02/AR200712020
1943.html> ) 
*	New arms for a new Iraqi army (LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-m162dec02,1,970577.
story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=2&cset=true> ) 
*	U.S.: Iraq must act to preserve security gains (KS
<http://www.kansas.com/news/nation_world/story/244406.html> ) 
*	IED numbers drop as U.S. troops go after caches (DN
<http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=3214071&C=landwar> )

OF INTEREST

*	Blogs abuzz over Army's forbidden words (AT
<http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/army_forbidden_words_071130w/> ) 
*	Muthanna governor thanks Army Corps Engineers for work in his
province (MNF
<http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15584&Ite
mid=1> ) 
*	President Bush urges Congress to approve funds for troops in combat
(AFIS <http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48291> ) 
*	U.S. Soldier frustrated by journey to citizenship (MN
<http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_7622023?nclick_check=1> )

WORLD VIEW

*	Seeing Iraq, thinking Vietnam (BBC <http://news.bbc.co.uk/>  | Story
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7122241.stm> ) 
*	U.S. Pentagon chief visits troops in Djibouti (RT
<http://africa.reuters.com/>  | Story
<http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL03545828.html> ) 
*	On supporting our troops without tokenism (CC
<http://www.countercurrents.org/>  | Story
<http://www.countercurrents.org/spence021207.htm> ) 
*	U.S. commander to be given Korean name for contribution to S. Korean
national security (YN <http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/>  | Story
<http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2007/12/03/84/0301000000AEN2007120
3006800315F.HTML> )

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

*	Chem demil news (ACG <http://armchairgeneralist.typepad.com/> ) 
*	Soldiers bring joy to Afghan students (GAF
<http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Guardian wit (SH <http://sgthook.com/> ) 
*	Hey, Governor Perdue (MG <http://mikegulf.blogspot.com/> )

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