|
The Avian H5N1, Swine H1N1 and other flu viruses are of great concern to public
health professionals. The continued spread of highly pathogenic Avian virus, across
Eastern Asia and other countries is of significant threat to human health. Since
2003, a growing number of human H5N1 cases have been reported in Asia, Europe, and
Africa. More than half of the people infected with the H5N1 virus have died, which
is a serious and scary threat.
|
|
In April 2009, the FDA cleared a new, more rapid test for the detection of influenza
A/H5N1, and coincidently this was around the same time the H1N1 Swine flu became a visible
threat. The United States federal government has created a special web site to
address these issues on a regular basis (see
www.pandemicflu.gov).
|
|
|
|
While the extent of such a health crisis is unknown, the possibility of a flu pandemic
is real. Most regulatory bodies and financial institutions are strongly recommending
their workforces have a pandemic plan in place.
|
|
|
|
Official U.S. government plans, in the event of a flu pandemic, mandate that all
meeting places, including schools, libraries and day care centers be closed. During
such an event, it is estimated that upwards of 50% of workers will not be able to
report to work. This high percentage of absenteeism will be due to a number of factors,
including:
|
|
|
|
|
Caring for small or school-age children (most parents would not risk leaving their
children home alone for fear that they may go out and contract the virus - and,
most parents would not want to risk bringing home the virus)
|
|
|
|
Psychosomatic illnesses
|
|
|
|
Caring for someone who is ill
|
|
|
|
Fear of becoming sick
|
|
|
|
Actually being sick
|
|
|
|
Psychological effects of the pandemic or health crisis
|
|
|
|
Death of personnel or loved ones
|
|
|
|
|
|
Planners sometimes inadvertently integrate their pandemic plan with their BCP. As
we know, a BCP assumes people "are" available; however, a pandemic or health crisis
plan assumes they are "not." A pandemic plan manages the high degree of staff absenteeism,
not a physical or technological outage. Consequently, there are very different topics
that need to be covered in a pandemic plan. The following is just some of the salient
information that our consultants identify and include in the pandemic plans we develop:
|
|
|
|
|
Employees who are cross-trained in various disciplines
|
|
|
|
Alternative workforce, e.g., retired employees, etc.
|
|
|
|
Key-employee succession plans
|
|
|
|
Work-at-home plans
|
|
|
|
Supply chain interruption strategies
|
|
|
|
Proper hygiene practices
|
|
|
|
HR policies and procedures
|
|
|
|
|
Note: As a recognized international authority on Pandemic and Health Crisis Planning,
TAMP has established an Intelligence Group to provide subscribers (via email) with
the latest available information regarding the H5N1 Avian Influenza, H1N1 Swine
Flu and other flu viruses. Should you wish to subscribe to this group
<< click here >> or send an email to info@tampsystems.com.
|
|
|
|
TAMP Systems has more than 25 years of continuity planning expertise and know-how;
and has earned and maintains a CBCV certification from DRII, which is the world-wide
leader in more than 90 countries for education and certifications in business continuity
management. You can be rest assured that your plans will be usable, executable and
workable by using TAMP for your pandemic planning needs.
|
