Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

REMINDER

Over the past year, there have been still more deaths in the Far East from infection with the Avian Influenza (bird flu) virus. So far, the virus has not mutated in a way that allows it to spread person-to-person; those who have gotten this new virus and died from it contracted it mostly from chickens. When it (or another similar virus) does become capable of transmission from one person to another, it will be the beginning of a PANDEMIC. (A pandemic occurs when a new virus---one that humans have never encountered and to which they therefore have no resistance---changes in a way that it can move from person to person rapidly.) Experts are certain about one thing: this WILL happen. What they don’t know: when, what specific virus, and how bad it will be.

Why haven’t we heard more from the media about Pandemic Preparedness? Because there has been nothing “newsworthy” about pandemic flu over the past year or two--at least not in the eyes of the public media, and other distracting events have kept pandemic influenza out of the news. In the world of science, medicine and public health, however, there is high interest and concern about the lack of preparation for this potentially devastating event. Millions could die, many because they weren’t prepared.

AdvanceMed Hanford wants to remind you that your preparation at home and at the workplace is a relatively simple yet important activity. Emergency preparedness for a pandemic includes preparedness for just about any emergency or disaster. Having enough food, water, medical supplies and other essentials on hand for a period of time during the first wave of a pandemic will more than suffice for other emergencies for which just a three-day stockpile is generally recommended.

Each day that goes by is one day closer to a pandemic. Visit the links provided in this section to learn what you should be doing to be prepared. Contact AMH to schedule a presentation on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.

It’s your health! Own it!!