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USNORTHCOM CONPLAN – A DoD Plan For A National Pandemic
On August 13th, 2009, the U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base issued UNNORTHCOM CONPLAN 3591-09, which is a plan for the U.S. military to remain in an operational status even in a situation where the country faces a major influenza pandemic.
According to the document, the U.S. military takes the potential of a Pandemic Infuenza (PI) extremely seriously. Under the introduction, the document states, “The threat of future Pandemic Influenza (PI) has seriouis national security implications for the United States.”
The introduction goes on to explain that of the three human pandemics that took place in the 20th century, approximately 30% of the world population got sick and 0.2% to 2% died. The author explains that with the current world population, a similar pandemic today could lead to the death of up to 2 million Americans.
The authors are not so concerned with modern day version of viruses like the H5N1 influenza, but the real concern is a deadly future mutation of that virus. The document explains, “…because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus one day may be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another.”
