CDC report: Health Department makes improvements

JACKSON — A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) making progress in building and strengthening its public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

The report, “Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation’s Emergency Response State by State,” presents data on a broad range of preparedness and response activities taking place at MSDH.

Accomplishments highlighted in the report include:

• The MSDH Public Health Laboratory’s ability to test for specific biological agents. The laboratory passed all three proficiency tests to evaluate its abilities to receive, test, and report on one or more suspected biological agents to the CDC.

• The MSDH Public Health Laboratory’s ability to respond in the event the public is exposed to chemical agents. The laboratory successfully demonstrated its ability to detect and measure certain chemical agents that can cause severe health effects.

• The MSDH’s ability to receive urgent disease reports through its 24/7 reporting system.

• The MSDH’s ability to receive, stage, and distribute medical materials and supplies received from CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) or other sources.