--Federal, State Leaders to Discuss Preparedness Plans--

New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine will host federal and state health and security officials at the state’s Influenza Pandemic Summit: “New Jersey and the Pandemic Challenge” on May 31 at Rutgers University’s Douglass College, New Brunswick.

The summit will begin at 10 a.m. at the Douglass College Center.

Governor Corzine will be joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D., and Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Richard L. Cañas at the day-long summit. More than 400 representatives from the public and private sectors will gather to discuss national, state and local preparations for a potential pandemic.

The goal of the summit is to raise awareness about pandemic influenza, its potential impact, and New Jersey’s readiness to meet the demands of a large-scale outbreak. 

“We believe it is vital that everyone -- private citizens, community leaders, businesses and government officials -- prepare and understand the implications of a pandemic,” said Governor Corzine. “Bringing these groups together to discuss the challenges of a pandemic is a vital step in our state’s preparedness.”

The morning session will feature a presentation by Secretary Leavitt on national preparedness. Dr. Gerberding will discuss the CDC’s role in pandemic preparedness. Director Cañas and Commissioner Jacobs will describe New Jersey’s preparedness plans.

The afternoon session will feature a roundtable discussion on the challenges presented by, preparing for and responding to a pandemic. Participants will include a wide range of federal, state and local representatives from both the government and private sectors.

For more information on influenza pandemic, visit the DHSS website at www.nj.gov/health/er/avianflu.