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Throughout history, the greatest number of deaths has always been the result of disease… smallpox, polio, tuberculosis. While we no longer have to worry about those threats, there are many more - AIDS, SARS, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus -- we should be concerned about and know what steps we can take to keep our people and our organizations safe. If you don't yet have a plan for dealing with a pandemic, this week's articles should be of help to you; they also will provide some up-to-date information about a flu pandemic.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees; are you ready to do that in a pandemic? (Item #1) The avian flu has a plot line similar to a Stephen King novel, but interest has dropped off. (Item #2) As news of the spread of the avian flu grows, businesses must factor in the possibility of a pandemic into their continuity planning. (Item #3)

Experts argue that preparations against it have to continue, even if the virus's failure to mutate into a pandemic strain has given the world more breathing room. (Item #4) You see a lot of wild and crazy estimates for how many people a pandemic flu would kill, but what's the answer? (Item #5) Use this checklist to guide your pandemic planning. (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 of the European Centre for Disease Protection and Control --

Articles

1. Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
In the event of an influenza pandemic, employers will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as in limiting the impact on the economy and society. Employers will likely experience employee absences, changes in patterns of commerce and interrupted supply and delivery schedules. Proper planning will allow employers in the public and private sectors to better protect their employees and lessen the impact of a pandemic on society and the economy. This publication from OSHA can help you succeed in that role.
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3327pandemic.pdf

2. 'Pandemic Fatigue' Sets In (Or Maybe You've Noticed)
Pandemic flue is a menacing presence, mysterious and somewhat hidden, striking in out-of-way places and threatening broader havoc -- a global evil. And until this year, it was a best-seller in newsrooms, spurring headlines that raised public attention and spurred organizations to plan for it.
http://csoonline.com/article/216843/_Pandemic_Fatigue_Sets_In_Or_Maybe_You_ve_Noticed_

3. Preparing Businesses for a Pandemic
In addition to remote working, organizations should also consider identifying skeleton teams of key staff who would be the only ones to come to work in the event of a pandemic. Primary and backup teams for key activities should be identified and organized on a split-shift, split-site basis to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. More suggestions are in this article designed to help you be prepared for the possibility of a pandemic.
http://csoonline.com/article/220847/Preparing_Businesses_for_a_Pandemic/2

4. A flu pandemic that wasn't but might be
Last year, for the first time since avian flu emerged as a global threat, the number of human cases was down from the year before. As the illness receded, the scary headlines - with their warnings of a pandemic that could kill 150 million people - all but vanished. But avian flu has not gone away.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/22/healthscience/22flu.php

5. How Many People Would a Bird Flu Pandemic Kill?
Yet, the truth is, there's no simple answer. It depends on a lot of things -- and the most important factors are still unknown. First of all, we can't put any stock in the simplistic estimates that are based on 1918. We're living in a much different world. H5N1 is a different virus.
http://www.customdesignpostcards.com/articles3/how-many-people-would-a-bird-flu-pandemic-kill-.html

6. Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a checklist for large businesses, which also can help smaller businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/businesschecklist.pdf