Gov. Baldacci unveils influenza Web site

AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci unveiled a first-of-its-kind Web site Tuesday afternoon that will provide information on pandemic influenza, avian flu or bird flu.

“This means that no matter what your questions or concerns are about flu, or whether you are a physician, parent or pandemic preparedness planner, this one Web site will provide a place for getting that information,” said Baldacci.

The governor was joined by Dr. Dora Mills, head of the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a brief unveiling ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the State House. The Internet address is: www.maineflu.gov.

The Web site is a private-public partnership among five Maine state agencies and more than 20 diverse private sector organizations and associations, including the American Lung Association of Maine, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Hospital Association, the Audubon Society, the Maine Business Chambers and the Maine Farm Bureau.

“People are concerned about it,” said the governor. “They have a lot of questions, and this is a start to providing some of the answers.”