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Although I briefly mentioned this CIDRAP (Center For Infectious Disease Research & Policy) report on Friday (see CIDRAP Friday Night Roundup) I was worried that it would be lost in the weekend shuffle.
Since it is important, I decided to highlight it again today.
Despite all of the conflicting opinions you have have heard, the CDC takes the emergence of this novel H1N1 virus seriously.
No . . . this doesn’t appear – at this time – to be a particularly virulent strain of influenza.
But that could change.
The HHS and the CDC are urging businesses to begin now to prepare for what could be a very rough flu season in the fall.
Lisa Schnirring, a staff writer for CIDRAP News, brings us her excellent overview of a conference held by the CDC on Friday, urging that businesses review their pandemic plans.
While I urge everyone to follow the link and to read this article in its entirety, if you own or operate a business, it is of particular importance.
Pandemic declaration prompts CDC huddle with businesses
Lisa Schnirring
Staff Writer
Jun 12, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – On the heels of yesterday's pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today urged businesses to review their pandemic plans to make sure they're flexible enough to respond to a moderate or severe pandemic.
At a teleconference today for the business community, Lisa Koonin, MN, MPH, a senior adviser with the CDC's influenza coordination unit, said that because influenza viruses are so unpredictable and the pandemic may change or become more severe in the fall, now is the time for businesses to revise pandemic plans or begin developing one if they don't already have one. About 680 people called in for the conference.
Anthony Fiore, MD, MPH, a medical epidemiologist in the CDC's influenza division, said the novel flu cases and hospitalizations are hitting younger people and children the hardest. "This is much of the workforce, as well as their children," he said.
He warned that a vaccine against the new virus, if successfully developed, won't be available until October or later and probably won't be distributed through typical commercial channels. Fiore advised businesses to plan on using basic preventive measures as a fallback, such as encouraging employees to stay home when they're sick, cover their coughs, and wash their hands frequently.
Employees who have risk factors for flu complications, such as asthma, cardiac conditions, or pregnancy, should be advised to seek medical care quickly if they have flu symptoms, he said. Those who don't have risk factors and experience severe symptoms should also seek care.
