The University of Louisville Center for Health Hazards Preparedness was awarded a $2.3 million contract in March 2009 to help communities across the state prepare for future pandemic events as part of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, managed by The National Institute of Hometown Security for the US Department of Homeland Security. The initial award of $2.3 million is for a period of 18 months with the option of a 18 month continuation for an additional $2.3 million.

The program, co-led by Drs. Paul McKinney and Ruth Carrico, will fund five collaborative research projects aimed at (1) detection, (2) preparedness and (3) protection, response and recovery involving future disease outbreaks. The program will provide an important advance in the protection of the human infrastructure essential to insure continuity of critical activities in communities during a pandemic event.

The program is overseen by a steering committee drawn from experts in infrastructure protection and communications. The steering committee meets monthly to review the activities of each project, identify opportunities for collaboration, and provide suggestions for project enhancements

Steering Committee Members:

Dick Bartlett, Kentucky Hospital Association
John Bonaguro, PhD, Western Kentucky University, College of Health and Human Services
James Gantt, PhD, Murray State University, Center for Telecommunications Systems Management
Doug Hamilton, Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Emergency Management Agency
Sunderesh Heragu, PhD, University of Louisville Department of Industrial Engineering
Rob Sprang, MBA, University of Kentucky, Kentucky TeleCare
John S. Usher, PhD, PE, University of Louisville Department of Industrial Engineering

Pandemic Planning and Preparedness

Dr. Dave Simpson, UofL Center for Hazards Research and Policy

This project will create pandemic planning and preparedness guides designed especially for small to mid-sized communities, both suburban and rural.  These guides will enable communities to implement preparedness plans with their available resources and will empower a community, no matter the size to outline and implement a plan to protect their residents.

For more information, visit http://www.communitypandemicprep.com

Pandemic Preparation for the Sentinel Healthcare Workforce

Dr. Paul McKinney and Dr. Ruth Carrico, UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Center for Health Hazards Preparedness

The goal of this project is to enhance Kentucky pandemic preparedness and response efforts through education and training.  Hospital-based health care workers along with occupational health nurses and other health care personnel from businesses and schools across the Commonwealth will participate in both in-person and web-based trainings.

Severe Influenza Pneumonia Surveillance (SIPS) Network

Dr. Julio Ramirez, UofL School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases

This project brings hospitals across the Commonwealth together to develop and implement a comprehensive surveillance plan for pandemic influenza that incorporates both clinical case-based and laboratory-based surveillance. Hospitals will enter information into a web-based database to record incidences of influenza in their hospitals. The statewide network will facilitate early recognition of a pandemic and plans could then be implemented to help reduce the transmission of disease.

For more information, visit http://www.kyflu.net

Developing a Near-Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance System in Kentucky Schools – A Feasibility Study

Dr. Robert Esterhay, UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences

This project will assess the feasibility of developing a state-wide, school-based syndromic surveillance system for detecting pandemic influenza and other communicable diseases.  If deemed feasible, a pilot of the system would occur in Louisville along with a rural setting.  Assuming success of the pilots, the technology would be made available statewide.

Best Practices Guidelines for Pandemic Disaster Response: A Social Behavioral Evaluation

Dr. Virginia Sprang, University of Kentucky, Center for the Study of Violence against Children

This project will investigate the biopsychosocial effects of quarantine and isolation on children and families and will develop best practice guidelines for primary and secondary prevention plans.