May 16, 2007
These NewsBriefs are produced and delivered weekly by
Attainium to keep our friends and clients
current on topics relating to Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Crisis Management.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), once a virus allows for efficient human-to-human transmission,
a pandemic can occur. Because of high global mobility and interconnection, illness could spread quickly and,
if the virus has a high fatality rate, threaten millions of lives around the world. In addition,
a pandemic would have a great impact on the day-to-day business of most organizations. Experts now are advising
that we all must have a component in our business continuity plans that deals specifically with a pandemic threat.
The articles below have been selected to help you develop such plans.
Industry analyst firm warns that a pandemic-specific response plan must be in place by the second quarter of 2007.
(Item #1) Here's a practical checklist to help business continuity managers develop pandemic response plans.
(Item #2) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) have developed a business checklist for pandemic planning. (Item #3)
This highly practical article highlights the steps that can be taken to provide real business resilience during a pandemic.
(Item #4) How will your state fare economically in a pandemic?
(Item #5) If there is a pandemic what must I do to ensure the workplace is safe?
(Item #6)
As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns
with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic
you'd like to see covered, please email me at
[email protected]
Best Regards,
Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp
Quote of the Week
"When we think of the major threats to our national security,
the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global terrorism.
But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores, one from nature, not humans - an avian flu pandemic."
- Barack Obama -
Articles
1. Gartner: Existing Business Continuity Plans Will Fail In A Pandemic
When a pandemic does happen, experts predict it will spread across the globe quickly and create simultaneous worldwide
business disruptions. For instance, relying on a backup data center in India won't help a U.S. company stay in business.
The Indians who run that backup data center will be just as sick as the company's U.S.-based employees.
http://searchcio.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid19_gci1232110,00.html
2. The five stages of pandemic response planning
Those planning their company or organization's response might want to use these five stages to help focus their plans.
A key part of this planning is at Stage 4 - the development of a Pandemic Operating Regime.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0282.htm
3. Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
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.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html#1.2
4. Business continuity planning for pandemic scenarios
Many countries were relatively unaffected by the SARS epidemic and so have not seen first hand the high levels
of business disruption caused by such a crisis. However, we need to realize that we are part of a global community
and face a very real risk of suffering as a result of a major pandemic or epidemic.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0326.htm
5. Pandemic Flu and the Potential for U.S. Economic Recession
Trust for America's Health (TFAH)'s March 2007 report "Pandemic Flu and Potential for U.S. Economic Recession" finds
a severe pandemic flu outbreak could result in the second worst recession in the U.S. since World War II.
The report projects the state-by-state impact of a pandemic outbreak and features an interactive map so you can check out your state.
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/flurecession/
Download the complete report:
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/flurecession/FluRecession.pdf/
6. Minimizing the Risk and Impact of an Influenza Pandemic on Your Business:
A Practical Guide for Employers
This pdf document contains helpful information and some common Q&A for employers to consider when undertaking pandemic planning.
http://www.dol.govt.nz/PDFs/pandemic-practical-quide.pdf
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