LANSING – Today, officials from 19 federal and state agencies conducted Michigan’s first coordinated tabletop exercise specifically designed to address issues and concerns associated with avian influenza.

 The exercise, spearheaded by the state Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police (MSP), engaged more than 100 state officials as they evaluated state avian influenza plans in place, and brainstormed potential actions in case of a disease outbreak.

 “We want to ensure that – if we need to respond to an avian influenza outbreak – our responses remain smooth and coordinated,” said Capt. Kriste Etue, Commander of MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “Through these exercises, our state continues to lead the nation in emergency management and homeland security initiatives.”

 Etue said individual state agencies have conducted avian influenza exercises over the course of the last year, but this was the first coordinated activity between multiple agencies.

 “Public health and safety in Michigan continue to be a priority for Gov. Granholm,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “This exercise is an important step toward ensuring that our partners at all levels are ready to respond to an incident of this magnitude at a moment’s notice.”

 Officials discussed issues in four breakout groups throughout the course of the day-long exercise, including executive management, operations, future planning, and situational awareness, Etue said.

 “The more we continue to exercise our existing plans for avian influenza, the more the citizens of Michigan benefit,” Olszewski said. “Protecting the public health tops a long list of priorities that were considered during this groundbreaking exercise.”

 No human cases of avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Michigan’s avian influenza preparedness efforts, visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.