"Californians rely on our public health system to be ready to respond effectively to public health emergencies, including the avian flu," said Assemblymember De La Torre. "While there has been much speculation about the avian flu, we need to inform Californians about current realities and our plan to combat a potential outbreak that could be catastrophic for our state."

WHAT:	Joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services / Assembly Health Committee Oversight Hearing on Avian Influenza Preparedness
WHO:	Hector De La Torre, Assemblymember, 50th District Wilma Chan, Assemblymember, 16th District Pedro Nava, Assemblymember, 35th District Sandra Shewry, Director, Department of Health Services Scott Layne, UCLA School of Public Health Steve Hendrickson, Bureau of State Audits Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County Public Health Officer Hospital Association of Southern California Barbara Morrow, California Healthcare Institute
WHERE:	UCLA James E. West Alumni Center, Founders Room 325 Westwood Plaza (Westwood Entrance off of Wilshire) Los Angeles, CA 90095
WHEN:	Friday, November 4, 2005 11:30a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Background:

Avian influenza (H5N1) virus was first discovered in Asian poultry in 1999. Since that time, it has reached various parts of Asia infecting millions of migratory and domesticated birds and approximately 120 humans. The death rate among the infected humans thus far is over 50 percent. Recently, the virus has appeared in European poultry and is feared to be spreading among various bird species.

In its current form, avian influenza can only be transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds. Scientists, however, believe that it is only a matter of time before it mutates into a strain that can spread between humans. Once this transition occurs, the virus could appear in California within weeks and lead to serious public health, economic and social implications.

In preparation for a potential outbreak of avian influenza, the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services will hear from public health officials at the state and local level about how they are preparing for the potential emergence of this deadly virus in California.