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May 31, 2006

Flu panel examines effect on R.I. businesses

WARWICK -- The Health Department this morning held the first meeting of its newly convened Pandemic Flu Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from businesses, energy companies, banks, grocery stores, health care, social services, community-based organizations, education and government.

Dr. David R. Gifford, director of health, told the gathering at Sheraton Airport Hotel that he's used to working with health-care organizations, but "the Department of Health doesn't work with banking too much, or grocery stores too much." Yet these businesses will be hampered if 20 percent to 30 percent of their workforce is sick with the flu.

Their ability to function, he said, is essential to the rest of society.

As head of the state's effort to prepare for a flu pandemic, Gifford said he needed advice from all sectors.

Click here to see the Department of Health's bird flu information page.

-- Staff report by Felice Freyer

-- Journal staff writer Felice J. Freyer

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 11:57 AM | Permalink

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