SALEM, OR - The State government in Oregon has more power to respond to the H1N1 flu outbreak. Governor Ted Kulongoski signed an executive order yesterday that gives public health director Mel Kohn more power to control distribution of flu vaccine. Kohn will also have the ability to over-ride local school boards to close a school, something he says he doesn’t anticipate doing.

Kohn: “Our experience with the schools has been that they are very, very cooperative. They’re appropriately concerned about what’s happening with the pandemic and every time we’ve asked them to do something they’ve responded appropriately.”

The expanded power given to Kohn by the Governor is allowed under a law passed by the 2007 Legislature. It’s the first time Kulongoski has triggered the provision. The state reports 26 flu deaths and nearly 900 hospitalizations since the beginning of September.

Copyright 2009 Northwest News Network

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State of Oregon flu website

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