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News Release

Simulated pandemic influenza exercise undertaken in Oshawa

WHITBY, ON  November 1, 2007 - Staff from Durham Region, the eight local area municipalities, community organizations and private business participated in a simulated pandemic influenza exercise in Oshawa this morning.

The exercise was organized by the Durham Emergency Management Office (DEMO) and the Durham Region Health Department as part of the Region's ongoing emergency management training and exercise program. About 250 senior managers, planners and emergency response staff from across the community participated in the exercise, which was based on the potential of a worldwide outbreak of a new type of influenza virus.

"Durham Region continually works with its community partners to ensure they are prepared in case of any large-scale event or emergency," said Ivan Ciuciura, Director of DEMO. "For this exercise, our focus was responding to an outbreak of pandemic influenza."

The aim of the exercise was to practise and evaluate the integrated capabilities of support organizations when dealing with a pandemic influenza—a worldwide outbreak capable of causing serious illness, and potentially, death.

"Durham Region Health Department has plans in place to play a lead role in a pandemic health emergency," said Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health. "Co-operation is required with all community partners to ensure that the potential effects of a pandemic influenza can be reduced and essential municipal services maintained."

Both Dr. Kyle and Ciuciura agreed that the exercise was a success, and a valuable tool in advancing pandemic planning in the Region. Exercise participants also included Durham Regional Police, Emergency Management Ontario, Go Transit, pharmaceutical suppliers, long-term care providers, not-for-profit organizations, the funeral industry, Durham College/UOIT, local school boards, utility companies, conservation authorities, hospitals, and local businesses (including Ontario Power Generation, General Motors, Dupont and Sobeys).

Media inquiries:
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Ivan Ciuciura - Director, Durham Emergency Management Office  905-668-7711 ext. 6260
Tania Laverty - Corporate Communications Officer  905-668-7711 ext. 3813