01/08/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Anoka County Multi - Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan CU Y Variola is classified as a biological weapon, included on the "A" list by the CDC. The virus can be transmitted from person to person, may result in high mortality rate (30 %), and cause panic and social disruption. Variola has a moderate to high potential for large -scale dissemination and requires special action for public health preparedness and response. Hepatitis A Virus results from eating food or drinking water contaminated with human excrement. Outbreaks are associated with consumption of produce. Hepatitis A virus attacks the liver, is highly infectious, and can lead to varying degrees of illness, hospitalization and death. Emerging Pathogens: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) started in China in late 2002. The World Health Organization reported 29 countries were affected by the end of July 2003. There were 8,500 cumulative cases and 774 deaths. Health care workers accounted for 1,707 cases. In the United States, 29 cases were confirmed. SARS is closely associated with influenza and is of major concern to all public health officials. Emerging Pathogens: Monkey Pox Virus is an orthopoxvirus, which also includes cowpox and smallpox. It is a viral disease occurring in the rain forests of central and West Africa. Monkey pox is milder than smallpox. It was seen in the US June 14, 2003. It was introduced to this country by prairie dogs infected by Gambian rats imported by a distributor of exotic pets. By June 18, 2003, 87 persons in six states were confirmed with the virus. Animal and Vector -Based Hazards; One of the "new" or "emerging" series of threats to communities is vector -based threats - bacteria, insects, and animals, that pose a direct or indirect hazard to humans, their food supply, or the economy. Although many people don't consider Foot and Mouth Disease to be a "threat," an outbreak of the disease in Europe caused widespread concern over the safety of the meat supply, as well as the possibility of resulting infection of humans. Federal, state and local officials, including the emergency services community, have plans and procedures for handling incidents involving these threats. 4.2.1.6 Severe Weather - Drought Drought occurs when water supplies cannot meet established demands. Severe drought conditions endanger livestock and crops and significantly reduce surface and ground water supplies, increasing the potential risk for wildfires, and causing significant economic loss. Drought may not be constant or predictable and does not begin or end on any schedule. Long -term droughts last for periods of two to ten years. Droughts are classified as the following types: • Meteorological drought is defined by the level of "dryness" when compared to an average, or normal, amount of