Greetings,

In April 2006, Deputy Secretary Conner appointed the Assistant Secretary for Administration as the USDA Human Pandemic Coordinator.  As Acting Assistant Secretary, I have the honor of serving in this role.  The health and safety of USDA employees and our families is extremely important.  As public awareness of avian influenza and a possible human pandemic grows, I want to highlight the ongoing preparations government-wide and within USDA to address a pandemic and ensure that we are able to continue to fulfill our mission.  While there is no human pandemic influenza in the world today, it is important that we prepare should there ever be such an event.

In November 2005, President Bush issued the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza and, last month, released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.  USDA plays a vital role in the ongoing Federal and international activities being developed to prepare for the possibility of a human pandemic.  I appreciate your dedication and contribution to this effort.

In addition to helping to ensure the health of the American public and our animal populations, a significant component of Federal planning is to prepare for employee safety and the continuity of operations of government.  At USDA in my role as the USDA Human Pandemic Coordinator, I have directed each mission area and staff office to name a Human Pandemic Action Officer and Local Human Pandemic Coordinators.  Plans are in development across the department to address the specific circumstances that would arise in the event of a pandemic.

I encourage each of you to stay informed and engaged in personal and professional preparations with your families and your communities.  The Department of Health and Human Services has prepared excellent materials that you should find useful as you make your personal preparation plans at www.pandemicflu.gov.  You can find USDA specific employee information at www.usda.gov/oo/beprepared. 

Finally, it is important that I reiterate that there is no human pandemic influenza in the world at this time.  While we hope never to face a pandemic, the aggressive planning that is presently underway will help us in the event that we are met with this challenge.  Your individual preparedness and participation in the Federal effort is necessary and appreciated.  Let’s work together to be prepared.

Peter J. Thomas
Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration