1 / 40

EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS

EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS. - 17 July 2006 - AIPC. What It Is & What It Isn’t Why Is There Concern Where Are We SARS : A Recent Model What Can We Do.

royce
Download Presentation

EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. EPIDEMICANDPANDEMICPREPAREDNESS - 17 July 2006 - AIPC

  2. What It Is & What It Isn’t • Why Is There Concern • Where Are We • SARS : A Recent Model • What Can We Do

  3. “It is not a matter of whether there will be another influenza pandemic but rather a question of when. It is 36 years since the last pandemic; with 39 years being the longest known previous interval between pandemics, the next pandemic is arguably overdue.” MacMahonJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2005)55, Suppl. S1, i5-i21

  4. Pandemic Influenza History • Spanish Flu - 1918 (40 million deaths) • Asian Flu - 1957 (2 million deaths) • Hong Kong Flu - 1968 (1 million deaths)

  5. Overview • Seasonal influenza • Avian influenza • Pandemic influenza • Preparedness - government, partners, individuals

  6. Influenza

  7. Influenza • Respiratory infection • Spread through coughing, sneezing • 1 to 5 days from exposure to onset of symptoms • Spread 1 day before illness up to 7 days after • Seasonal influenza traditionally occurs October through April

  8. Influenza Symptoms • Rapid onset of: • Fever • Chills • Body aches • Sore throat • Non-productive cough • Runny nose • Headache

  9. Seasonal Influenza • 36,000 deaths nationally every year • Vaccine available • High risk for complications include: • Very young • Very old • Fragile immune systems • Pregnant women

  10. AVIAN INFLUENZA

  11. Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”) • Birds of all species thought to be susceptible • Two forms • Mild • Severe • Signs and Symptoms • Mild: ruffled feathers, reduced egg production; significant to poultry producers • Severe: extremely contagious between birds, rapidly fatal, about 100% of birds infected die.

  12. Avian Influenza - H5N1 Infection in Humans • Virus remains an avian flu strain • Human infection - occurred when living quarters are close to animals • Transmission • Contact with manure • Handling chickens • Eating sick, undercooked chickens

  13. Avian Influenza - H5N1Why do we care? • Spreading among birds quickly and across countries • Jumping hosts (across animal groups) • Large percentage of deaths in those infected (228 documented cases, 130 deaths) as of June 20, 2006 • Has potential to mutate into a human strain

  14. Pandemic • Epidemic • More than the expected number of cases within a certain period of time • Pandemic • Geographically widespread epidemic of disease

  15. Influenza Virus Attaining Pandemic Status • A “new” virus transmitted to humans (no immunity within the community) • Must be able to cause illness in humans • Must be able to pass easily from human to human

  16. WHO Stages of Pandemic Alert

  17. An infection caused by influenza viruses carried and spread among humans. A disease caused by influenza viruses carried and spread among birds. • A new strain of influenza virus that spreads worldwide. • It is carried and spread among humans; and • Humans have little or no immunity against it. • Breathing droplets that have been sneezed or coughed into the air by someone with the flu, or having the droplets land on the surface of your eye. • Shaking hands with an infected person or touching a contaminated surface, and then touching your own eyes, nose or mouth. • Wild birds are the main carriers. • Domestic birds (like chickens & turkeys) get the virus from wild birds and may become seriously ill. • Humans do not easily contract bird flu viruses. • Humans can only get bird flu by handling infected birds or coming into contact with contaminated faeces. • There is no evidence that bird flu is passed by eating cooked poultry products. • Spread the same way as seasonal flu. What is the connection between human flu, bird flu and pandemic flu? Human flu + Bird flu can = Pandemic flu One way pandemic flu can occur is if bird flu mixes with human flu and creates a new strain of flu virus that can spread easily from human to human.

  18. SARS 2003

  19. The Problem Uncertainty about SARS created a cycle of fear • A highly mysterious, world travelling virus • Little known about contact or transmission • Super spreaders infecting 100’s people each • Fatality rates of 15% • Cover ups, secrecy and conspiracy in China • Speculation • Intrigue • Rumour • Fear • Panic Creating

  20. The Result Public Perception fuelled by sensationalised speculation “SARS Ate My Earnings”eraider.com, 11 june 2003 Chinese try smoking and drinking to stave off Sars Irish Independent, 6 May 2003 SARS virus spread by African wild cat  PRAVDA.RU, 23 May 2003 Did SARS come from Outer Space? MEDSERV/ May 26, 2003 Eating Cats Causes SARS THE SUN/ May 23, 2003 CIA Behind SARS Virus National Enquirer/ April 29, 2003

  21. The Immediate Impact Within the Travel, Tourism and Meetings Industry alone: • Visitor arrivals to Singapore decline 70% by May • 23 SIA planes grounded at Changi Airport • Hotel occupancy as low as 7% in some 5-star hotels • Over 25 concerts, conventions and exhibitions cancelled or postponed • Loss of over $38m for the industry • Loss of $200m to the local economy • Loss of income, loss of jobs, failed businesses

  22. The Effect Visitor Arrivals to Singapore 2002 vs 2003 800k 2002 600k 400k 2003 200k 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

  23. SARS Company Procedures • Appointment of SARS Prevention Manager • Temperature Checks • Each staff member issued oral thermometer • Temp. checks conducted twice daily • Recorded by partner • Staff issued “Cool” badges • Temp. reading over 36 degrees sent to clinic • Surgical masks issued to all staff

  24. SARS Company Procedures • Travel • Reduction overall • Overseas travel declaration • Mandatory 10 day quarantine from SARS country • Company purchased 12 thermal scanners • Used to check vendors • All event attendees screened • Daily disinfecting of all common areas • Close liaison with Ministry of Health

  25. Why Plan ? • F U D - Fear - Uncertainty - Doubt • Protect Employees / Public • Communication • Business Loss • Absenteeism • Travel Restrictions • Work From Home • Prevent Spread

  26. Business ContinuityGuide

  27. Alert : Green What it means: • Isolated overseas or local cases of animal-to-human transmission. Threat of human-to-human remains low Possible scenarios: • Heightened awareness amongst members of the public Recommended Actions: Employees • Set up a team to oversee business continuity planning • Update contact details of staff • Update staff policies on: - Overseas travel - Absenteeism and extended medical leave - Recall of staff based in affected areas • Stock up on thermometers, disposal gloves and N-95 face masks • Increase personal hygiene awareness

  28. Alert : Green Process and Business Functions • Identify critical functions that may be affected due to absence of staff, e.g. production, sales etc • Plan for an absenteeism rate of up to 25% during Alerts Orange and Red • Consider cross-training of staff in critical functions • Identify functions that can be done off-site or from home Business Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) • Prepare telecommunications access for employees working from home • Plan for increased use of telecommunication systems and call-centres

  29. Alert : Green Stakeholders (Suppliers/Customers) • Update contact of key suppliers and customers • Identify customers, suppliers and shareholders who are likely to be affected by the pandemic • Identify alternate suppliers of key services, components and/or goods • Co-ordinate business continuity plan with suppliers and customers Internal and External Communications • Create general awareness of flu and preventive measures among staff. Consider various communications channels such as briefings, newsletters, intranet or email • Include sources of flu information such as websites of the Ministry of Health and SPRING Singapore • Develop an external communications plan for various alert levels aimed at customers, suppliers and shareholders

  30. Alert : Yellow What it means: • Slight human-to-human transmission Possible scenarios: • Travelling to and from affected areas may be restricted • Companies to start briefing staff on business continuity plan Recommended Actions: Employees • Appoint a Flu Manager • Implement screening and isolation procedures for staff and visitors • Implement policy on overseas travel • Screen staff who visited affected areas in preceding 14 days • Follow any vaccines and medication advisories issued by MOH at that time • Issue thermometers, disposal gloves and N-95 face masks • Consider succession planning for key staff

  31. Alert : Yellow Processes and Business Functions • Update plan on how/when to activate (a) Alternative suppliers (b) Alternative delivery means to customers Business Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) • Activate equipment for remote communications access to affected areas, e.g. video-conferencing • Disinfect common areas within your workplace • Check the websites of the Ministry of Health or National Environment Agency for guidelines on disinfecting workplace areas

  32. Alert : Yellow Stakeholders (Suppliers/Customers) • If necessary, activate plan for alternative suppliers • Establish alternative delivery means or delivery sites • Consider alternative sales/service channels that do not require face to face contact, e.g. e-commerce, mail order purchase Internal and External Communications • Reassure staff by briefing them on your company’s business continuity plan and what to do in the event of higher alert levels (Orange, Red and Black) • Brief staff on external communications plan, e.g. what to say, when and to whom • Inform customers and suppliers about your company’s business continuity plan

  33. Alert : Orange What it means: • Evolves into human disease. WHO confirms several outbreaks in one country, spreading to other countries • Death expected Possible scenarios: • The public starts to avoid crowded areas • Business travellers and tourists to Singapore decrease • Companies start temperature taking • Our airport and points of entry start temperature screening of overseas visitors Recommended Actions: Employees • Update staff regularly on health advisories • Encourage staff to stay home if unwell and monitor status

  34. Alert : Orange Processes and Business Functions • Pre-qualify alternative suppliers from unaffected areas • Activate process and systems to support remote access for staff Business Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) • Clean and disinfect common areas more frequently • Activate agreements with cleaning/decontamination contractors

  35. Alert : Orange Stakeholders (Suppliers/Customers) • Institute temperature taking and contact tracing for visitors • Prevent visitors with flu-link symptoms from entering workplace • Activate alternative delivery arrangements with suppliers and customers Internal and External Communications • Inform external parties of restriction on visits to company’s premises • Update relevant customers/suppliers in the continuity of your business • Inform suppliers and customers of alternative procedures for pick up/deliveries

  36. Alert : Red What it means: • Widespread infection. Increase in deaths • Healthcare system likely to be overwhelmed • Essential services need added protection to ensure full operational capacity Possible scenarios: • Certain countries may impose border closures • High absenteeism from work may occur Recommended Actions: Employees • Non-critical staff to work from home • Activate succession plan if necessary • Make arrangements for counselling support

  37. Alert : Red Processes and Business Functions • Monitor/maintain contact with suppliers and customers through remote access Business Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) • Monitor inventory levels Stakeholders (Suppliers/Customers) • Activate partnership agreements for reciprocal shipments of finished goods to customers Internal and External Communications • Regularly update staff and stakeholders of actions taken to instil confidence

  38. Alert : Black What it means: • High death rates reported • Economic activities are severely disrupted, as panic sweeps through the community Possible scenario: • Economic activity may slow down to a standstill as the public focuses on survival Recommended Actions: • Stop economic activities • Abide by health advisories from the Ministry of Health

  39. Resources • Basic Preparedness Plan www.ready.gov/business • World Health Organization www.who.int • Europe http://ec.europa.eu/comm/world/avian_influenza/index.htm

  40. EPIDEMICANDPANDEMICPREPAREDNESS - 17 July 2006 - AIPC

More Related