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Show Page 3 University Journal Thursday, March 30, 2006 Utah leaders receive direction on possible bird flu pandemic By HOLLY COOMBS hcoombssuujournal At Friday press conference in Layton, Lt. Gov. Gary' R. Herbert and LI.S. Department of Health fc Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt addressed nearly 500 leaders about a possible pandemic influenza entering the U.S According to a March 22 press release, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr and Leavitt were planning to speak to state and local officials to help prepare Utah for a potential pandemic. Huntsman wasn't able to attend because of a surprise visit to Ltah troops in Iraq. Cody Craynor, Utah Department said of Health representative, Huntsman and I.ea itt would discuss the importance of what pandemic influenza is They will both be focusing on what it means and informing the people of tire possibility ot the avian influenza coming to entering the states, he said With the absence of Huntsman, Herbert and Leaitt continued with . the conference as planned. According to a press ielease following the conference, the summit of nearly 500 leaders was one of the first of its kind in Utah. Leavitt w'as pleased to know' the state plans to prepare for such a possible crisis, according to the press release. Pandemics aie global in nature but their effects are always local, so I am pleased that Gov. Huntsman is taking a leadership role to prepare LItah for this threat. Leavitt said. Pandemic planning needs to address how schools, businesses, faith based agencies, public organizations and others participate Avian Influenza also known as bird flu has been found in 30 other countries outside the U.S. It could enter the country through the transition of birds for slaughter and food supply. Avian influenza is found in birds. It has the potential to turn into pandemic flu. Pandemic Source: Susan Mottice, Utah Department of Health epidemiologist, and www pandemicflu.gov. LINDSEY HAPHAZARD in pandemic preparedness he added. With this meeting, local officials can identify needs specific to LItah communities and begin crucial coordination to assure readiness if a pandemic outbreak strikes also known as Await influenza has been found in 30 other bird flu countries but not the U S However, it could enter the country tlnough the transportation of birds through slaughter and food supply, said Susan Mottice, Utah Department of Health epidemiologist. Mottice said tlieie are major of differences types among influenza. Pandemic influenza is a new influenza that has never been exposed to a world wide outbreak, she said. Seasonal influenza comes around every season and avian influenza has only been found in birds. According to www pandemieflu. also known gov, seasonal flu is an illness as the common flu and cited and released Saye Tamanuvao, 22, on suspicion of retail theft. - Police responded to Sunday a report at 590 W. 450 West and cited and released Adam Thomas 20, on suspicion of Worthington, influence and minor the under driving consumption, possession or purchase - does not flu currently exist. Cedar City Police Department Saturday - Police responded to a report at Payless ShoeSource By KRYSTLE WHITNEY Gary R. Herbert and U S. Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Michael O. Leavitt attended a press conference Friday to address a possible pandemic flu entenog the U.S. Lt. Gov. Police responded to a UNIVERSITY JOURNAL transmitted from person to person while avian flu only occurs in wild birds, but can be transmitted from birds to humans. Pandemic influenza is a flu that affects humans and can be a serious illness during its outbreak because it can spread easily from person to person, according to the Web site. There currently is no pandemic flu. Avian influenza could come into the U S. and the nation should be prepared for it, Mottice said. Its not something we have prepared for, but we are now, she said. We are watching it because it might become pandemic. According to the latest press release, Heibert said he was glad to see Utah preparing for the possible outbreak of the influenza. As the nation and world prepare for a potential pandemic influenza, so too must Utah, he said. POLOCE BEAT Sunday I'D Clr d Flu com a of alcohol. ft report at 590 S. 450 West and cited and released Megan Fredrick, 18, on suspicion of minor consumption, possession or purchase of alcohol. Tuesday Police responded to a report at 50 E. 1600 North and cited and released Thomas Anthony Taylor, 19, on suspicion of minorconsumption, possession or purchase of alchohol. Police responded to Tuesday a report at 1100 N. Main St. and arrested Kenneth Vincent Trotter, 19, on a warrant. - - d high-qualit- By ASHLEY LANGSTON alan gston low-inco- kwhitneysuujournal.com Week of the Young Child, a week dedicated to improving opportunities for all young children, begins Sunday and continues through April 8 Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a chance for eady childhood programs across the country to bring awareness to young childrens needs, said Elizabeth Dover, a senior psychology major from Cedar City. This week is supposed to be an educational type of thing for the parents and for children, she said. Dover said Week of the Young Child is significant because it provides a focus on issues facing parents and young children. According to the NAEYC Web site, the week addresses www.naeyc.org, issues such as proper employer-sponsorechildcare for working families; access to y eady childhood programs, e families; and especially for providing for the nutrition and health care of children living in poverty. It is important that people are aware of issues affecting children in the Dover said. Because of this community, there will be better preschools and better education for children. If you give children a better foundation, it will follow through with them for the rest of their lives. She said Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the people, programs and policies helping to build better futures for children. Some of the programs include childcare, head start programs, preschools and Cedar City man killed in motorcycle collision su ujourn al .com Riley Rutherford, owner of Riley Plumbing in Cedar City, died of severe head trauma after a motorcycle accident Friday at the intersection of Lund Highway and Highway 56, Detective Sgt. Jerry Womack said. The accident occurred at about 2; 45 p.m. when a Honda Victor Hernandez pulled out in car driven by front of Rutherford, Womack said. Rutherford was thrown over the handlebars of his Haiiey-Davidso- cars elementary schools involving k students and students with students, disabilities, she said. Heidi Bahlmann, a senior family and consumer sciences major from Ephraim, said Week of the Young Child is important to children because they can spend time with parents and teachers and show off their abilities and relationships their parents may not be able to see otherwise. Dover said some of the activities planned for the week include a health and safety educational meeting for parents, a barnyard bash for parents and children and a childrens art gallery, which will be open to the public on Thursday. Although some of the activities are only open to parents and students enrolled in the head start program and the SUU preschool, Dover said students could still get involved during the week in other ways. Students are welcome to go to head start and volunteer, she said. They can also design their own activities and awareness programs by visiting www.naeyc.org, which lists ideas that anyone can do. Bahlmann said she agreed student involvement is a good way to help support Week of the Young Child. Head start really welcomes volunteers that come in and help and spend time with children, she said. It offers them an extra pair of hands. Jessica Fay, a freshman elementary education major from Richfield, said she agreed students could succeed if they get an early start. Its important because it is a head start to get them into an educational system, and because of that they will hopefully excel in life, she said. n . motorcycle when his front tire hit the tire. Hernandez was an undocumented immigrant living in Beryl. He was cited for having no insurance, no drivers license and failure to yield right of way. Rutherford was wearing a helmet, but it only covered the top of his head, Womack said. There are no laws in Utah requiring anyone 18 or older to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. It is a personal choice whether one wants to wear it or not, he said. People younger than 18 have to wear a helmet, he said. Womack said even if Rutherford had been wearing a helmet that covered his whole head, his injuries were so extensive that it may not have made a difference. Rutherford died at Valley View Medical Center. r i tr i -- Michael O. Leavitt m (? UNIVERSITY UTAH Of U O 70 OrtO 0 v Center lor Polities & Public Service SOUTHERN J . '"n Immmi Vj G p 0. ffi m fi Y fi Friday, March 31 1:30-3:3- 0 PM ovo Located behind Plant Operations Come on over, we have Computers, Furniture C43S) S AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! |