Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

The Zika alliance

Chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses are transmitted by the same mosquito species—Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus—and exhibit similar symptoms in infected patients. But, compared with the painful fever, headache and ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

France extends virus emergency until July 24

The French government said on Saturday it will extend a health emergency imposed to fight the new coronavirus by two months, allowing it to keep stringent anti-virus measures in place even after a partial lifting of the country's ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Will there be a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 1?

The federal government has told states to be ready to distribute doses of a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 1 - two days before the election.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Puerto Rico braces for wave of mosquito-borne Zika virus

Leilani Dominicci has all the typical worries of pregnant women plus a new one spreading across Puerto Rico: the fear she will become infected with the Zika virus and put her baby at risk.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Florida latest place to declare emergency over hepatitis A

Officials have declared a public health emergency over the rising number of hepatitis A cases in Florida, the latest part of the country dealing with outbreaks of the liver disease.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

After three years, COVID 'here to stay'

While the World Health Organization hopes COVID-19 will soon no longer be considered a public health emergency, it has warned the virus itself is here to stay.

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Public Health Emergency Preparedness

In the United States government, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (or ASPR), formerly the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (or OPHEP), is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, was established in June 2002 at the request of Tommy Thompson. In July 2006, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response was introduced. On December 19, 2006 it became public law and OPHEP was officially changed to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

The first head of OPHEP was Donald Henderson, credited with having previously eradicated Smallpox. Soon Jerry Hauer, a veteran public health expert, took over as director, with Henderson taking a different role in the department. Hauer was removed from the job primarily for conflicts he had with Scooter Libby over whether the risks of smallpox vaccination were worth the benefit. Hauer charged that the Office of the Vice President was pushing for the universal vaccination despite the vaccine's health risks, primarily exaggerate the risk of biological terrorism.

The current head of ASPR is RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., he was sworn into office on March 27, 2007 as the first Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. He is the Secretary's principal advisor on matters related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. He is responsible for coordinating interagency activities between HHS, other Federal departments, agencies, offices and State and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population from acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.

This text uses material from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA