Pandemic Preparations
Telework is being looked to by the U.S. Government and many major companies as one of the best options to prevent the spread of Bird Flu and continue operations if a Pandemic becomes widespread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management have all released studies showing the vital role telecommuting will play in the event of an emergency.
The H5N1 virus (Avian Flu) is expected to have the capacity to transmit human to human within the next two years. Federal, state, and local government and health organizations have already begun preparations. They have released various documents regarding the needed materials to prevent and sustain yourself in the event of a Pandemic in your area.
Many of these organizations are citing Telework as a means of sustaining business. It is forecasted that homes will become safe havens for people and thus bringing work to them is essential for a business's ustainability. Additionally, the government is looking at suspending school for durations. This will mean that a large part of the workforce will be required to go home to take care of their children. In order to prevent the spread of Bird Flu, when it becomes a Pandemic, the World Health Organization suggests reducing the amount of person to person contact. Aligned with this idea, Telework seems to be the best answer to keep people from interacting while continuing normal business operations. More and more businesses are implementing a formal Telework program as a viable solution in the fight to prevent the contraction and spread of the H5N1 virus.
How Fast is the Virus Spreading? (click here)
The below image is provided courtesy of the World Health Organization and shows the current status of the Bird Flu virus.
Listed below are links to checklists regarding suggested preparations you and your business should take.
Pandemic Flu checklist for families and individuals supplied by the federal Government
Pandemic Flu checklist for businesses supplied by the Federal Government
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
World Health Organization pandemic influenza
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Influenza Pandemic?
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emergences” in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or “epidemics” of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that are already in existence among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes or by subtypes that have never circulated among people or that have not circulated among people for a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. (Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – May 12, 2005)
How does the bird flu spread?
Most cases of the bird flu have resulted from humans coming in contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, in other cases, infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. When birds come in contact with these contaminated excretions, they are then contaminated themselves to spread the disease.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection. (Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – May 24, 2005)
Is there a vaccine to protect against Pandemic Influenza viruses?
A vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic. When a new vaccine against an influenza virus is being developed, scientists around the world work together to select the virus strain that will offer the best protection against that virus, and then manufacturers us the selected strain to develop a vaccine. Once a potential pandemic strain of influenza virus is identified, it takes several months before a vaccine will be widely available. If a pandemic occurs, it is expected that the U.S. government will work with many partner groups to make recommendations to guide the early use of a vaccine. (Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – May 12, 2005)
What can I do to protect myself from the virus and if contracted, keep from spreading it to others?
According to the American Red Cross and World Health Organization the following steps should be taken to prevent the spread of viruses such as the Bird Flu:
- Clean your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and clean your hands afterward. Put used tissues in a wastebasket.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering your body.
- Telework from home to avoid the contraction and spread of the disease.
