Know What to Expect
Workplace and community planning and response activities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if a pandemic were to occur, infection may come and go in waves, each of which could last for six to eight weeks. The overall pandemic may last for 18–24 months. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery, and health care facilities could become overwhelmed.
Business and Industry
In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a key role in protecting employees’ health and safety, as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, having a contingency plan is essential.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CDC have developed guidelines, including a checklist, to assist businesses in planning for a pandemic outbreak, as well as for other comparable catastrophes. Additional information for business can also be obtained from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).
Community Organizations, Schools, and Health Care Providers
Community Organizations — Churches, community, and social organizations.
Schools — Childcare facilities, grade schools, colleges, and universities.
Health Care Providers — Home health care, medical offices and clinics, EMS and medical transport, and hospitals.
Public Health Agencies, Government, and Health Plans
Interim Guidance for clinicians and health professionals for swine influenza .
In February 2007, the federal government released Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States. The United States Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan providing direction to federal, state, and local governments, as well as public health agencies, and health care providers.
The government’s role as outlined in these reports focuses on four broad areas:
- surveillance and investigation;
- distribution of vaccines and antiviral drugs;
- containment and emergency response;
- communication and public outreach.
Government Planning and Response Activities
HHS compiled information about how all levels of government are planning and preparing for a flu pandemic.
Federal Government — The President’s National Strategy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Plan, and other federal agency activities.
State and Local Government — Information on the integration of federal, state, and local planning, and state-by-state pandemic plans.
* Source: CDC, www.flu.gov