U.S Agencies In Panama To Help Defend
Against Pandemic Outbreak
Panama - Representatives from
10 U.S. government agencies are holding a
two-day table-top exercise here in
cooperation with the government of Panama to
assist in responding to any future influenza
pandemic.
The agency representatives are in Panama in
conjunction with Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX
2009, a 12-day military security training
exercise involving 20 countries.
The representatives discussed how the United
States and the Panamanian government can
manage an influenza outbreak by utilizing
their agencies' assets to combat a pandemic.
"Our goal is to work as close as possible
with the Panamanians in case there is a real
threat, such as a pandemic influenza," said
U.S. Navy Capt. Miguel A. Cubano, a medical
doctor and command surgeon for the U.S.
Southern Command. "We want to help them set
up a plan so a pandemic outbreak does not
have a great impact on their economy, stop
people from going to work and school and
stop the operations of the Panama Canal."
The agencies present included the Department
of State, Department of Homeland Security,
Department of Agriculture, Department of
Commerce, Federal Aviation Administration,
U.S. Agency for International Development,
Department of Health and Human Services,
U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy.
Since the severity of flu outbreaks is
difficult to predict, the U.S. agencies are
sharing tools and information to help Panama
combat any level of influenza outbreak.
Influenza usually starts suddenly, with
symptoms that include fever, headache,
tiredness, coughing, sore throat, runny or
stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea and
vomiting. Many different illnesses,
including the common cold, can have similar
symptoms, so diagnosis and communication are
key to anticipating an unusually severe flu
outbreak.
Cubano said the U.S. Navy is working with
the Panamanian government and other U.S.
agencies to build a preventive plan to fight
all diseases, not just the flu.
U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Joselito S. Ignacio,
head of the Coast Guard's Environment Health
Division, said that Navy and Coast Guard
vessels could play an important role in
combating future epidemics.
"The Coast Guard will work diligently to
provide maritime support in our role to help
the people of Panama defeat a pandemic
outbreak," Ignacio said.
The pandemic exercise is not directly part
of the FA PANAMAX 2009 maritime exercise,
but is occurring concurrently.
FA PANAMAX 2009 is one of the largest
multinational training exercises in the
world and is taking place in the waters off
the coasts of Panama from Sept. 11-22 with
the participation of civil and military
forces.
More than 20 vessels and a dozen aircraft
are involved in the exercises. Participants
are focusing on a variety of responses to
any request from the government of Panama to
protect and guarantee safe passage of
traffic through the Panama Canal, ensure its
neutrality, and respect national
sovereignty. Simulated ground forces are
also participating at Fort Sam Houston in
San Antonio, Texas. |
