December 12, 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.
Between 10 and 20 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to contract influenza annually,
and approximately 36,000 people die every year from flu in this country. A pandemic flu would result
in many times that number of deaths and have an unimaginable impact on business. Many organizations
are unwilling to prepare now for the possibility of a pandemic, but those who do plan are able to mitigate
the impact of annual influenza as well. You could apply many of the suggestions in the articles below now,
before flu season starts.
Here's what businesses need to know about pandemic flu planning. (Item #1)
Preparing for a pandemic is necessary to avoid dire consequences. (Item #2)
Non-pharmaceutical interventions can play a critical role in mitigating
the consequences of future severe influenza pandemics. (Item #3)
This checklist identifies important, specific activities businesses can do now to prepare,
many of which will also help you in other emergencies. (Item #4)
This article highlights areas of concern that need to be reviewed
in regards to a pandemic type of incident. (Item #5)
It's generally accepted that the internet provides a resilient communications medium
in normal operation. (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
"It might not happen tomorrow, or in the next few years,
but it is certain that there will be a bird flu pandemic which
will affect humans within the next 10 years ... People need to wake up to this now."
- Professor Johan Giesecke, European Centre for Disease Protection & Control, 2005 -
Articles
1. It's not flu as usual
Imagine that cumulatively, a quarter of your workforce could be out for as many
as three to four months. Imagine that the other businesses you rely on are facing
the same massive absentee rates. Hard as it may be to believe, such a scenario could
happen -- indeed, some health officials say it's inevitable. The cause: a pandemic flu.
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/flu/brochures/FluBrochure.pdf
2. 10 Practices to help avoid pandemic fatigue
A new report issued by risk experts Marsh and The Albright Group warns that the catastrophic impacts
of a long-lasting pandemic are not only likely to happen, but overdue, and offers ideas for best practices
to be prepared. With so many other pressing issues, preparing for a pandemic may not currently fall high
on the list of priorities for businesses; but not doing so could result in devastating consequences for their operations.
http://new.reillycomm.com/acuity/makingheadlines.php?id=2697
3. Study examines the success of social distancing during influenza pandemics
An analysis of non-pharmaceutical interventions used in the US during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic,
such as closing schools and banning public gatherings, found an association between these interventions
and reduced death rates, suggesting that non-pharmaceutical interventions may play a role in planning
for future influenza pandemics,
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news03411.htm
4. Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
This two-page checklist from the Centers for Disease Control can provide a good guide for your pandemic planning.
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.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/pdf/businessChecklist.pdf
5. Pandemic business continuity planning - things to consider
The author selected these highlighted areas to stimulate discussion and action by companies small, medium
and large so that they might properly prepare for possibility of a pandemic impacting their operations.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0300.htm
6. Internet resilience in the event of an influenza pandemic
Even when extreme events occur, such as the 9/11 attacks in the USA, the Internet remained available.
As such it has become a key feature of business continuity planning and enables staff to work from outside
the office in response to emergencies affecting their business.
http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.9989
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