ABC "Good Morning America" - Transcript

Interview

ABC "Good Morning America" Interview With Janet Napolitano, Secretary Of Homeland Security

Subject: Swine Flu Preparation Interviewer: Robin Roberts

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MS. ROBERTS: A few moments ago I spoke with the secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

Secretary Napolitano, thank you for your time this morning.

A lot of folks want to know what do you know this morning that possibly you did not know yesterday about this threat?

SEC. NAPOLITANO: We know that the World Health Organization raised this from level three to level four, level six being a full- fledged pandemic.

We know that we have a few more confirmed cases within the United States. We know that our plan to move antivirals -- Tamiflu and Relenza -- from the stockpile out to the states is under way and is working.

And we know that across the federal government and from the federal government to the states and localities we have a very, very robust communication and planning system under way.

MS. ROBERTS: You have this planning system under way. Folks want to know are you prepared to do more?

You've talked about passive surveillance at the borders, but we've seen elsewhere around the world where more aggressive measures have been taken. Are you prepared to do that?

SEC. NAPOLITANO: Well, we're prepared to do whatever we need to do that would make sense.

In this case, the disease, the virus already is widespread, or in many different states within the United States. So we think what we're doing now at the land ports and at the airports makes sense.

And every individual has a role here. I really want to get that message out, that if you've been traveling to Mexico or other places where the virus has arisen, if you get sick -- you run a fever, a heavy cough -- check with a health professional. Not if you have the sniffles or something, that doesn't merit it, but something more serious.

And hand washing, frequent hand washing really comes in very usefully right now.

MS. ROBERTS: Well, they hear certain officials like former Health and Human Service Secretary Mike Leavitt, who said, quote, "The world is overdue and underprepared for a pandemic." He said he's --

On the state and local levels, that's with the health departments. That's where he is very concerned.

Do you share that concern?

SEC. NAPOLITANO: Well, obviously we need to make sure our state and local levels are prepared.

And actually, when Mike was the secretary, I worked with him and other governors on planning for avian flu -- this, of course, is swine flu -- so those preparations were well under way.

But one of the things we're doing now is looking to see what, if any, gaps are there in the system and how can we fill them.

MS. ROBERTS: So, finally, for people that are waking up this morning, they're about to head off to work, head off to school, they're trying to keep as informed as they can. What do you want them to know this morning?

SEC. NAPOLITANO: Oh, I want them to know that many, many, many government agencies are working. We've been in touch with the private sector.

I want them to know, if they're sick, if they have a fever and particularly if they think they've been exposed to someone who has been traveling, that's when they should see a health professional.

And again, frequent washing of hands has an impact here.

MS. ROBERTS: Secretary Napolitano, thank you very much for your time this morning. Have a good day.

SEC. NAPOLITANO: Thank you. Thank you.

MS. ROBERTS: Appreciate it.

END.

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