CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners along with the Pennsylvania Department of Health are holding a flu workshop Wednesday.
Although it is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be, the message at the workshop is that everyone is at risk.
Throughout the day, area business leaders as well as those in public service are meeting to develop a plan to put into place if a global disease outbreak should strike.
A pandemic happens when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is no vaccine.
The disease spreads quickly from person to person through coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces, causing serious illness and spreading around the world in a short period of time.
Included in the discussions will be how a pandemic could affect everyday living from hospitals being overwhelmed and schools and businesses closing.
The workshop includes presentations from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The workshop will conclude with a roundtable discussion and the development of a preparedness plan.
Watch GantDaily for more on this workshop later.