Member response Japan: Bonnie Henry, MD MPH FRCP(C), Director, Public Health Emergency Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control

.

Comments re. Japan response:

Bonnie Henry MD MPH FRCP(C)
Director, Public Health Emergency Services
BC Centre for Disease Control

Assistant Professor, School of Population and Public Health,
University of British Columbia

March 17

- - -

...I think both Paul [Arbon] and Graeme [McColl] have expressed the issue very eloquently.

In British Columbia we are currently dealing with an overabundance of concern about potential radiation fallout from the nuclear power crisis in Japan that might affect the West coast of Canada (my province BC in particular) and the US, including people rushing to purchase potassium iodide pills.

We have been putting out messaging about the fact there is not health risk now or foreseeable but I think this is really a reflection of people's perception of vulnerability... [t]houghts that if a country so orderly and well prepared as Japan could be hit so hard how could we possibly cope?

We have been trying to divert the concern to people's own personal preparedness for the more likely disasters that could affect us like earthquakes and tsunamis.

The one area I could think of that may be helpful at some point is establishing ongoing surveillance for people affected particularly for the populations nearest the nuclear facilities. Again Japan has experience with this but if requested this is an area where expertise of this group may be helpful.

My Best,

Bonnie