Ohio getting $9.8M to prep for pandemics

COLUMBUS (AP) — Health officials say Ohio will receive $9.8 million in federal funding so the state will be prepared in case a more severe form of swine flu develops.

The Ohio Department of Health said today it will work with local health departments to identify projects and activities for using the pandemic preparedness money. Ohio is sharing in a $260 million national program.

State Health Director Dr. Alvin Jackson said in a statement that the wave of swine flu seen since April should be a wake-up to Ohioans about the need to be prepared for a major outbreak.

As of today, the state reported 142 confirmed cases of swine flu and two other probable cases. Ohio has seen one death from the H1N1 virus.