Normally, I'd be speaking about computer "pathogens" but, for a change, I'll speaking at the New Jersey Infragard chapter April meeting. The meeting's theme is Pandemic Flu Planning.

My presentation is:

Lessons for the 21st Century from the 20th Century History of the Flu:

There were three major influenza pandemics in the 20th Century. The 1918-19 "Spanish Influenza" was particularly deadly, killing anywhere between 30 and 50 million people around the world. The 1957-58 Asian flu was not as deadly, but still killed about 70,000 Americans. The "mildest" pandemic, Hong Kong Flu of 1968-69, caused about 34,000 US deaths. Then there was the 1976 "Swine Flu" abortive pandemic and a nationwide vaccination program which some called a fiasco.

What lessons for today can we glean from these events decades ago? This presentation will point out lessons to help us to better prepare for future pandemics.

Also speaking will be Heather Benamati, MPH, CHES, Health Services, Human Services Coordinator of the Bernards Township Health Department. She focus upon public health aspects of pandemic flu preparedness. There will be a third speaker who'll cover business contingency planning.

Date:		Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time:		9:30 am to 10:00 am - networking session 10:00 am to 1:00 pm - the Chapter meeting
Location:		AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 73 Mountain View Boulevard Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920. [Map] [Directions] Parking will be available at the Credit Union for attendees.