Swine Flu Developments and Resources

by Ann Beauchesne

//All H1N1 update posts

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been closely monitoring the increase of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S., Mexico, and across the world. Since 2003, the Chamber has led education and outreach initiatives to increase businesses’ awareness of – and investments in – preparedness, planning, and response measures against virtually any kind of hazard, whether an act of nature or man-made. The Chamber recommends that businesses review their pandemic plans and consider what actions you might need to take if the virus were to turn more serious.

Preparedness Resources:

• Swine flu info, CDC – look for the green icon or widget
• Pandemic planning resources, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• One-stop access to U.S. government avian and pandemic flu information
• The World Health Organization swine flu website

U.S. Cases of Swine Flu "Mild" CDC Says; White House Urges Preparedness

On April 26, the White House announced a public health emergency in the U.S., which Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano noted sounds "severe."  Officials should call it a "'declaration of emergency preparedness,’ because that’s really what it is," she stressed.  Napolitano said the declaration is "standard operating procedure" – similar to preparing for a hurricane – which allows federal, state, and local officials to mobilize prevention and mitigation activities, including to release 25 percent of the antivirals in the Strategic National Stockpile to the states (priority going to those with confirmed cases).

Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. have been "mild."  Individuals (approximately 40) who have been infected have recovered and only one individual has required hospitalization.  Besser said that the CDC expects to find new cases as surveillance is ramped up around the country and globally.  The U.S., Mexico, and Canadian governments are studying why the virus strain (or strains) in Mexico appear more deadly than in the U.S.  The CDC is conducting preparatory work with industry to possibly manufacture a vaccine against the new virus.  Department of State Secretary Hillary Clinton urged caution to travelers to Mexico, but the U.S. government has not issued a ban on travel to or from the country.

What Should Businesses Do?

The Chamber encourages businesses, particularly the owners and operators of the nation’s critical infrastructure, to:

• Review and enhance existing emergency/disaster plans to ensure business continuity.  For businesses just getting started, they should develop a plan that includes pandemic preparedness and review it and conduct drills regularly.

• Develop travel plans for employees going to Mexico and other countries affected by the virus.

• Communicate with employees and provide simple, timely, and relevant information (e.g., remind employees about family preparedness, like school closures; good hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette)

• Prepare and plan for operations with a reduced workforce.  In the event of a severe pandemic flu – which is not yet anticipated – absentee rates could reach 30-40 percent the workforce.

• Consider policies related to "social distancing," obtaining personal protective equipment (e.g., facemasks), and stockpiling antivirals (Tamiflu, Relenza).

• Work with your suppliers to ensure that you can continue to operate and provide goods/services.

• Consider coordinating with local public health and health care delivery teams to share information on capabilities, options, and preparedness and response plans.
  

Comments

[philpott, C.W. PhD.]

It would be helpful to know specific sites and confirmed cases so that the public could avoid these areas and prevent further possibilities of transmission. Confirmed cases in Texas or New York is much to general and serves no useful health preventive response...come on health authorities, post this information for the public as quickly as it becomes known...you are not the chamber of commerce...you are responsible for preventing a horrendous pandemic.