H1N1 Swine Flu Speaker Dr. Maurice Ramirez

Pandemic Panic Predicted Six Years Ago
Expert in Pandemic preparation did the math and wonders why everyone’s surprised

Orlando, Fla. – April 30, 2009 – The World Health Organization today declared the latest strain the H1:N1 swine flu virus as a pandemic. This announcement came as no surprise to Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez, the Founding Chairperson of the American Board of Disaster Medicine and president of the consulting firm High Alert, LLC. As long ago as 2003, he had predicted the emergence of a pandemic strain of influenza in 2009.

“The main mutations seen in the influenza virus occur every 7 and every 13 years, thus the worst possible pandemic viruses will emerge when these time frames overlap, that is every 91 years,” declared author and disaster healthcare consultant Ramirez. “The last “Great Pandemic” was in 1917/1918, therefore it was inevitable that the next would be during the 2008/2009 flu season and here it is!”

Trained in virology by James (Papa) Reeves and board certified in multiple medical specialties, Dr. Ramirez began predicting a late 2008 or early 2009 pandemic based on the natural mutation rates of influenza and the time frame between “great pandemics” over the past three centuries.

As a disaster healthcare and pandemic preparedness consultant to Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Ramirez has long advised his clients that the skills they need to prevent the spread of disease in the workplace they learned in kindergarten:

· Wash your hands often
· Don’t share food or drinks (no double dipping the chip in the salsa)
· Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
· Stay in your seat (Don’t hover in your co-worker’s “sneeze fallout zone”)
· Take a nap (If you are sick, stay home)

“Masks may make you feel better mentally, but the don’t offer much protection,” added Dr. Ramirez.

In addition to his consulting firm and an active emergency room practice, Dr. Ramirez serves on state and federal panels for pandemic preparedness and healthcare surge planning. He also serves the nation as a Senior Physician-Federal Medical Officer in the National Disaster Medical System. Dr. Ramirez has a new book on Amazon.com: “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness.”

Check out Dr. Ramirez's program descriptions and videos here:

http://www.ispeaking.com/ispeakers/mauriceramirez,do/