Cochran announces flu funding for state

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced that Mississippi would receive more than $3.34 million to continue its response to the H1N1 flu virus and to prepare for the fall flu season.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded two grants to Mississippi, including $2.48 million in Public Health Emergency Response Grant funds and $859,736 in Hospital Preparedness Grant funds.

“The outbreak of the H1N1 flu and the sustained public health threat it poses means our hospitals and health caregivers must be prepared. These grants are to be used to ensure that these caregivers and medical facilities are ready to help treat and prevent the spread of H1N1 and other strains of the flu,” Cochran said.

In all, HHS awarded $350 million to help states, territories and communities handle the flu season.