The state of Ohio has begun preparing for a potential pandemic flu. By planning for the worst case scenario, it is necessary to think of the 1918 pandemic flu which
killed over half a million people in the U.S. Based on these numbers, if Ohio experiences a pandemic flu of similar severity, then 26,000 to 67,000 people could be
hospitalized and 1 to 3 million could seek medical care.
It is important to be prepared because during a pandemic flu, state, federal and local resources will quickly reach maximum capacity. Ohio has taken a number of
steps to prepare for and respond to bird flu and its potential for creating pandemic flu in Ohio. A flu pandemic would have a devastating impact on the lives
and livelihood of Ohioans.
Ohio created a comprehensive pandemic flu plan in 2004. An operational plan was written during a 120-day planning period from mid-December 2005 to mid-March 2006
to ensure the Ohio pandemic flu response is operationally consistent with federal and local issues and concerns. The document brings together the efforts of several
Ohio state agencies.
The Ohio Department of Health leads the action plan for human illness. The Ohio Department of Agriculture leads the action plan for animal illness and likewise has
a comprehensive bird flu action plan in place.
Last Updated August 29, 2006
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Overview of Ohio Department of Health Pandemic Flu Plan
