Health Officials Release Plan To Cope With Flu Outbreak

Sacramento, CA — A new draft plan for responding to a massive flu outbreak in California calls for stockpiling vaccines, establishing quarantine areas and planning for the disposal of bodies.

The plan released Wednesday by state health officials is partly a response to concern over avian influenza. The virus appears to be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected birds.

There is no evidence the virus has reached North America. The state´s plan recommends establishing a surveillance system to detect the virus and control the disease once it infects humans or animals.

That could include quarantines, closing schools and restricting access to public areas. State health officials will release a final plan this spring.