The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) has maintained its "green" rating – the highest – from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for readiness to receive, distribute and dispense life-saving medications and medical supplies in the event of an emergency. Mississippi is one of only a handful of states in the nation to receive and keep this status.

MDH was originally awarded the "green" rating in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. A re-assessment of MDH's abilities, performed in November 2006, indicated that Mississippi is still fully prepared to distribute medications and supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in response to a bioterrorism event or other large-scale health emergency.

The SNS is a federal reserve of supplies and medications ready for use in the event of a bioterrorism attack or other public health emergency, that can be sent anywhere in the country at the first sign that it is needed.

"We are honored to again receive such high marks for our emergency preparedness efforts," said State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy. "This rating shows how committed the Mississippi Department of Health employees are to ensuring the agency can effectively serve the state in a crisis."

MDH staff and management were graded by federal officials in areas of performance such as developing an SNS plan; requesting and managing the SNS; public information and communications; and receiving, storing and controlling the SNS inventory.

Mississippi was the first state in the nation to receive, store and distribute assets from the SNS 12-Hour Push Package, which was accomplished during MDH's emergency response to Hurricane Katrina. Life-saving medical supplies received from the CDC included essential items such as bandages, gloves, pain medications, antibiotics, medical and surgical supplies, IV solutions, and syringes. These supplies were delivered to hospitals and other healthcare facilities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during the emergency.

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Press Contact: Liz Sharlot or Elizabeth Hogue, (601) 576-7667