Critical Releases in Homeland Security: February 8, 2012

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Recovery of a Patient from Clinical Rabies -- California, 2011"; "Adult Vaccination Coverage -- United States, 2010"; "Progress in Global Measles Control, 2000-2010"; "Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Salmonellosis Associated with Pet Turtle Exposures -- United States, 2011"; "Announcement: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day -- February 7, 2012"; "Errata: Vol. 60, No. 50"; "Errata: Vol. 60, No. 48"; "QuickStats: Rate of Nonfatal, Medically Consulted Fall Injury Episodes, by Age Group"; and "Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule -- United States, 2012". Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2012.html]

"In recent years, advances in communications technology, along with reductions in trade barriers and production costs, have opened new markets and created new jobs and opportunity for workers. The global supply chain system that supports this trade is essential to the United States' economy and security and is a critical global asset. We have seen that disruptions to supply chains caused by natural disasters - earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions - and from criminal and terrorist networks seeking to exploit the system or use it as a means of attack can adversely impact global economic growth and productivity. As a nation, we must address the challenges posed by these threats and strengthen our national and international policies accordingly. Through the National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, we seek to strengthen global supply chains in order to protect the welfare and interests ofthe American people and secure our Nation's economic prosperity. We reject the false choice between security and efficiency and firmly believe that we can promote economic growth while protecting our core values as a nation and as a people. Through this Strategy, we endorse a national approach and active collaboration with the international community. We will integrate and energize our efforts to enhance our ability to manage risk by building a layered defense, addressing threats early, and fostering a resilient system that can absorb and recover rapidly from unanticipated disruptions. By institutionalizing information-sharing arrangements, streamlining government processes, and synchronizing standards and procedures, we can realize new efficiencies while strengthening global supply chains."