Posted Wednesday --- February 20, 2008

Report: Wisconsin ready to fight disease

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin looks prepared to handle a major health crisis.

That's the word in a new national report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report reviewed states and cities' readiness for public health threats such as a flu pandemic, natural disaster or bioterrorism.

The review gave Wisconsin 86 out of 100 points on its plan to receive and distribute large quantities of supplies from the federal government.

The report goes on to say the state has developed responsibilities for hospitals as well as its regional and local emergency management agencies in a crisis.

And, the report adds, Wisconsin emergency officials also have conducted bioterrorism training that meets CDC criteria, run readiness exercises and can receive urgent disease reports 24 hours a day.

AP