IN BRIEF

CONSUMERS BEWARE

Health officials warn of scams related to H1N1 outbreak

Nevada health officials are warning residents of potential scams generated by the H1N1 flu outbreak.

Officials said one such scam involves an e-mail being circulated that directs recipients to register with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a "personal vaccination profile."

The e-mail takes the person to a Web site that looks like the CDC page and directs them to download a file.

Officials say anyone receiving such an e-mail should delete it.

They say consumers also should beware of companies or individuals offering special sanitation services to protect from the H1N1 virus. Normal, thorough cleaning of surfaces with a household disinfectant is effective in fighting the flu.

HOMELAND SECURITY EXERCISE

Drill in LV involving simulated nuclear blast is canceled

The Department of Homeland Security has canceled an emergency preparedness drill scheduled for May that would have simulated a nuclear explosion in Las Vegas.

Last month, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid and Southern Nevada business leaders urged homeland security officials to reconsider the exercise, arguing that it would hurt the local economy.

The Homeland Security Department responded Thursday by announcing it has "decided to explore other options" and locations for the annual Federal Emergency Management Agency event.

Nearly 10,000 local, state, and federal officials had been expected to be in Clark County for the five-day drill, which would have tested emergency response to a hypothetical nuclear detonation in Las Vegas.