NCDA&CS Emergency Programs

In April 2007, North Carolina spearheaded the National FMD Business Continuity Workshop that involved five of the largest food animal production states in the nation backed by representation of 12 additional states to highlight business continuity concerns during outbreaks. Business continuity annexes were drafted to address the needs for planning and resource development that would ensure the business continuity concerns would not be overlooked in an eradication response. The MHTD provided mapping information that was used to highlight the concepts of Regionalizational and Compartmentalization that allow disease response to aid the industry by eliminating disease and proof of status and standardized biosecurity programs to preserve commerce thereby stabilizing America's future food production infrastructure.

In the spring of 2002 Virginia and North Carolina experienced an outbreak of avian influenza (low pahtogenic). Avian influenza carries with it a large economic impact as a result of loss of trade status, movement restrictions and the culling of infected flocks. The MHTD was utilized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) to rapidly contain the virus and prevent significant spread. This incident demonstrates the close working relationship with industry and the private farmer that we have grown to rely on.

During the mid to late 1990's the NCDA&CS along with the US Department of Agriculture and private industry eradicated the pseudorabies virus in North Carolina. This was accomplished through vaccination and the use of the NC Animal Health GIS system to track the spread of the diease.

Due to their destructive nature and large area of impact, hurricanes present a unique challenge for the response community. During Hurricane Isabel 27 counties were declared federal disaster areas stretching the length of the North Carolina coast. The NCDA&CS was able to map potential flood hazards for farmers as well as provide information on the impact to hospitals for the Department of Public Health. Additionally NCDA&CS was able to provide tax parcel information to FEMA to assist in aid distribution. During the hurricane season of 2004 the MHTD was again called upon to deliver timely information for resource allocation, response planning and field data collection.

In January of 2003, the West Pharmaceuticals plant in Kinston, NC suffered an explosion caused by an accumulation of highly volatile polyethylene dust. Polyethylene is used to coat the rubber components of medical instruments for drug-delivery components such as syringe plungers, septums, and vial seals. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) called on the NCDA&CS to provide mapping support for the analysis of the area surrounding the plant. This included the location of schools, transportation arteries and aerial photography of the plant. With information provided by the MHTD as well as that gathered in the field, the SBI was able to asses the potential impact of the situation and respond accordingly.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven hoofed livestock (cattle and pigs). The impact on agriculture through lost trade and decreased production make this disease one of the greatest threats facing the agricultural community of North Carolina. At the request of the National Defense University the MHTD was used to generate models simulating the introduction of foot and mouth disease and the impacts on transportation, the food supply and the economy. The findings of this study have helped shape national ideas about the protection of farms and the appropriate response should an event occur.

December 17, 2003 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers historic flight at Kitty Hawk, NC, and North Carolina celebrated this historic milestone with a week-long event; the First Flight Centennial. Security was a priority and the MHTD was used to support the efforts of state and federal law enforcement. A remote sensing station was deployed which monitored weather as well as chemical, biological and radiological data. Through the use of the MHTD, this data could be monitored in real-time and viewed over a secure web site. This application of the MHTD represented a novel implementation of the technology and served as a proof of concept for future applications.