South Carolina Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Pandemics Death Toll
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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population. The virus begins to cause serious illness and spreads easily from person-to-person worldwide.
South Carolina’s Pandemic Influenza Plan (pdf) was published in April 2005 in the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan as part of the South Carolina Mass Casualty Plan.
It is impossible to accurately predict what effect a pandemic would have on South Carolina. Experts believe 15% to 40% of the state’s population could be infected in the first wave of the illness. Also, hospitals and physicians’ offices could expect to see many more patients than normal. There is no way to know how many of those cases would be severe or deadly. However, it is almost certain that more people would die during a pandemic than during the usual seasonal outbreaks of human influenza.
The Pandemic Influenza Plan is a strategic planning document that describes South Carolina’s potential situation. In creating the plan, S.C. DHEC makes assumptions about the expected impact of a pandemic based on calculations of possible infections, treatment, hospitalization and deaths. These assumptions are the foundation for planning the necessary response activities. The plan also identifies the particular government and non-government agencies responsible for those activities, including public health, security, law enforcement, volunteer coordination, mortuary operations and transportation. South Carolina has a well-established emergency management system that provides a framework for coordination of these functions.
The plan addresses five major response areas to pandemic influenza:
Communication of Medical Information to the public, health care providers and emergency responders. With the guidance of the state’s Pandemic Influenza Coordinating Council and others, S.C. DHEC will create educational programs and distribute information to help the public prevent influenza transmission and do supportive home treatment. Proactive, influenza risk-reducing practices will be needed during the first six to eight months of the outbreak because vaccine and other medications will be in very short supply—if available at all. Messages are expected to emphasize cough etiquette, frequent hand washing, the need to avoid crowds while the disease is spreading, and the potential cancellation of sporting events, concerts, and school.- Identifying and monitoring influenza, commonly known as “Disease Surveillance.” This tracking helps public health authorities find influenza cases early in order to attempt to control its spread and develop better plans to limit the impact of the disease in the population. Updated information on surveillance will be available on the S.C. DHEC influenza monitoring website. Surveillance data will also be used to monitor geographical areas of the state for the disease’s impact. The data will be used to identify vulnerable populations in order to more effectively manage the distribution and administration of limited medications and vaccine programs.
- Vaccine Programs, including obtaining South Carolina’s portion of available stockpiles, distributing vaccine and opening sites to give vaccinations to a large number of people. S.C. DHEC will also monitor how well the vaccine is working to prevent disease. S.C. DHEC’s plan assumes that vaccine for a pandemic influenza virus will not be available for six to eight months after the strain has been identified. Even then, it is likely that vaccine will be in short supply. As experienced in the vaccine shortage of 2004, groups determined to be at the highest risk of infection or complications were targeted for vaccination first. During a pandemic, groups will be identified according to federal guidance based on reducing the economic and social impact of a pandemic. In addition to high-risk populations, front-line workers who might have contact with infected patients will be included in the initial vaccinations.
- Distribution of Medications to include acquiring available stockpiles of antivirals, antibiotics and other medicines (other than vaccines) and their dispensing. Prior to the arrival of an effective vaccine, these medicines will be a frontline defense against infection. Again, it is assumed that these medications could be in short supply and will be used to protect high-risk groups and health care workers.
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Public Health Authority and Disease Control, which includes the executive decisions of ordering and enforcing quarantine and isolation, ordering the release of medical information for investigation of the disease’s source, allowing hospitals and health care providers to expand their capabilities beyond their licenses to handle an influx of patients, and issuing other orders to support the overall response.Quarantine is the separation and restriction of movement of people who have been exposed to an infectious agent. Although they are not yet sick, they could become infectious. Personal protective measures – such as covering your cough and frequent hand-washing – are good steps to take to reduce the spread of the disease. Other steps include “social distancing” measures, such as staying away from crowds or staying home if you are sick.
Isolation is the separation of people who have a specific infectious illness from those who are healthy. The restriction of their movement is intended to help stop the spread of that illness.
All actions taken under the plan are intended to help reduce the spread of infection with the minimum adverse impact on South Carolina’s social structure, economy and personal freedoms.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan recommends the development of a state-level committee to address pandemic influenza planning coordination. South Carolina Bioterrorism Advisory Committee, which is composed of representatives of numerous government and non-profit response agencies, serves as the state’s Pandemic Influenza Coordinating Council. Additional representatives from local government, education, and business could be invited to join this council to lend their viewpoints and expertise.