The World Health Organization has raised the Pandemic Alert Phase to 5 which means that human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, reminds us of the importance of being vigilant with the onset of the current strain of swine flu.

Tully Waisman, President of EmergeX Planning, along with Brian Miller, President of Vanguard EMC, have agreed to cooperate on providing pandemic preparedness and response information to their clients and any other private and public sector organizations. With regard to the business continuity and emergency management profession, we must work together for the greater cause and support open and freely available information sharing. The leadership of these two companies are committed to that concept.

It is important that, while governments world-wide are monitoring the outbreak and taking appropriate health measures, private and public sector organizations must reinforce their ability to protect their employees and continue to deliver time-critical services. In the potential absence of employees, there will be very significant challenges to service delivery. Executives must quickly determine or confirm which of their many business services are the highest priority and will receive the full attention of the management team. 

WHO Pandemic Alert Phase 5 does not signify that a pandemic is inevitable nor does it indicate that should a pandemic occur it will be as devastating as that of the Spanish Flu of 1918.  However it is important for individuals, governments and business to prepare adequately at this time. Time is literally of the essence.

Vanguard EMC will continue to update this site with additional and focused information to assist not only our clients but anyone needing preparedness support. Our next update will include a free Pandemic Preparedness Exercise Kit to help organizations think through the requirements related to employee protection and continued time-critical service delivery.

Our current guidelines:

1. Do not over-react!

2. Stay informed.

    For information, access the following sites (click on logos)

Ensuring Workforce Continuity During a Pandemic - Disaster Recovery    Journal

3. Follow these basic guidelines:  

• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, 20 seconds in warm water or the time it takes to sing happy birthday! Teach children to do the same.
• Use hand sanitizer, if hand washing is not possible.
• Cover up when you cough or sneeze. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, wash them again.
• Stay home when you are ill but do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely necessary.
• Call a doctor or other medical service for advice and support.
• Ensure access to plenty of hand sanitizer.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada has informed Canadians that wearing a mask is not generally necessary and may even contribute to increased risk of catching the flu if the masks are used improperly. However, PHAC also indicates that it is essential to wear the mask while in a health care facility or if you are currently infected with the flu. Doing so will help prevent a virus you are carrying from being transmitted to others.
• We recommend investing in a few dozen surgical style masks for contingency purposes. If the local pharmacy or department store is out of masks, try the hardware chains. Painter and dusk  masks with the N95 symbol are just as effective as medical masks.

 

Current World-wide Swine Flu Cases

 

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

 

 

Please refer back to this site.  More information will be posted as it becomes available.

 

 

Updated April 30, 2009