Crimson Contagion

Crimson Contagion was a series of exercises conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to test the nation's response to a severe influenza pandemic. The exercise was conducted in 2019 and involved multiple federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private sector partners.

Background

The Crimson Contagion exercise was designed to simulate a global influenza pandemic originating in China and spreading rapidly across the world. The scenario involved a novel strain of the H7N9 influenza virus, which had a high mortality rate and no available vaccine at the time of the exercise.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Crimson Contagion exercise were to:

• Evaluate the ability of the United States to respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak.
• Assess the coordination between federal, state, and local agencies.
• Identify gaps in the nation's pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
• Test the effectiveness of communication strategies during a public health emergency.

Exercise Structure

The exercise was conducted over several months in 2019 and included a series of tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and full-scale exercises. Participants included representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and various state and local health departments.

Key Findings

The Crimson Contagion exercise revealed several critical gaps in the United States' pandemic preparedness, including:

• Insufficient funding for pandemic response activities.
• Lack of clarity in federal and state roles and responsibilities.
• Inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies.
• Challenges in coordinating communication between agencies and the public.

Impact

The findings from the Crimson Contagion exercise were intended to inform future pandemic preparedness efforts and improve the nation's ability to respond to a real-world pandemic. The exercise highlighted the need for increased investment in public health infrastructure and better coordination between government agencies.

Related Pages

• Pandemic preparedness
• Influenza pandemic
• Public health emergency
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention