Funds will help fight pandemic

Eastern Washington and North Idaho health officials aren’t sure what share they’ll get of nearly $3 million in just-announced federal funds to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. But they say more resources are needed to raise public awareness of a potential crisis.

“I think people in general have an idea that there’s a remote possibility of a pandemic,” said Julie Graham, spokeswoman for the Spokane Regional Health District. “There’s a general awareness, but not a high level of concern.”

The state of Washington will receive nearly $2 million and Idaho will receive more than $830,000 from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Mike Leavitt announced Thursday.

The funds are part of a $350 million emergency appropriation passed by Congress in December to combat pandemic influenza, according to a press release. Initial grants, based on population, were awarded to every state and the District of Columbia, seven territories and Puerto Rico.

Another $250 million will be awarded later this year according to progress and performance.

State and local health officials said they haven’t heard how the new funds will be distributed to county and community agencies. But the money is to be focused on practical procedures to prevent or delay the spread of pandemic flu and to help reduce the impact of the illness on communities during an outbreak, federal officials said.

“It’s certainly welcome money, but what we do with it, I just don’t know,” said Ross Mason, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Spokane’s regional public health agency has already taken several steps to increase public awareness, including the launch of a new Web page, Graham said. Tips on preparing for a pandemic are listed under the infectious disease section of the site, www.srhd.org.