Preparing for Pandemic Flu

What can I do to prepare for a Pandemic Flu?

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Preparing for a Pandemic Flu

Preventing the Spread of Pandemic Flu

It is difficult to predict when the next pandemic flu will occur or how severe it will be, so it is important to be prepared. Below are guidelines to help you, your family and your business plan ahead for a pandemic flu.

1. The first step in individual, family and business planning for a pandemic flu is to be informed. Know the signs of a pandemic flu and know how to treat the symptoms. Visit the websites listed below to get updated information on the pandemic flu.
2. Have a plan. Depending on the severity of the pandemic, many aspects of everyday life could be disrupted. These disruptions could include eveything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as public transportation and health care. Develop a plan if municipal and public services are closed. Your plan should include a means of being self-sufficient in case you need to remain in your home for several days to protect yourself and others from being infected from the pandemic flu. Your plan should include:
• An emergency contact sheet that contain the names, phone numbers and addresses of your employer, family physicians, walk-in-clinics, personal emergency contact numbers, and school contact information
• An emergency health information sheet that includes the following information for all family members: name, allergies, past and current medical condtions and current medications.
Visit the checklist for Pandemic Preparedness for Individuals and Families


3. Build your emergency supply kit. Include medication for headaches, cough, fever, diarrhea and muscle aches..  Aslo include tissues, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and things to do if you and your family members have to stay home for a couple of weeks (e.g. books, games and videos).  Below are two websites that individuals and families can review to prepare an emergency kit.
   Emergency Management Ontario
    
   City of Hamilton - Emergency Management Preparedness
    
4. Know where to get information and assistance.
   
   • Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Pandemic Planning
     http://www.health.gov.on.ca/index.html
   • Tele-health
     1-866-797-0000
   • CDC Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
     The Centre for Disease Control has developed this checklist to ensure personal preparedness in the event of a pandemic
   • Pandemic Influenza Planning: A Guide for Individuals and Families (pdf)
   • Safe Canada - Government of Canada
   • Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care - Telehealth: 1-866-797-0000 / TTY: 1-866-797-0007

Is there anything else I need to do to get prepared?

Think about neighbours or family members who will need assistance if they are ill. You may consider providing assistance with household duties, shopping, or transportation to a family physician or clinic.

Do I need to buy any special protection equipment?

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care do not recommend the general public to buy protective equipment such as masks, gloves and goggles. This type of protective equipment is only required in health care agencies to protect workers who will be providing care for large numbers of sick people.

How can I prepare my organization for a pandemic flu?

Businesses should develop business continuity plans to maintain critical services in the event of a pandemic. Organizations should identify core services and how to deliver those services if 20-35% of the workforce is absent.

10 STEPS Organizations can take for Pandemic Flu Preparedness

Since it takes time to implement strategies, organizations are encouraged to start planning immediately for business continuity during an influenza pandemic.

1. Check that existing contingency plans are applicable to a pandemic, and that core business activities can be sustained over several weeks in the event of high employee absenteeism. 
2. Identify your organization’s essential functions and the individuals who perform them. Build in the training redundancy necessary to ensure that work can be done in the event of an absentee rate of 25-35 percent.
3. Maintain a healthy work environment by ensuring adequate air circulation and posting tips on how to stop the spread of germs at work.
4. Promote handwashing, and coughing and sneezing etiquette. Ensure wide and easy availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products and hand washing supplies.
5. Establish or expand policies and tools that enable employees to work from home with appropriate security and network access to applications.
6. Expand online and self-service options for customers and business partners.
7. Tell employees about pandemic influenza and the steps the organization is taking to prepare for it.
8. Encourage employees to stay home if they are sick to stop the spread of illness, and update sick leave, and family and medical leave policies.
9. Establish an emergency communications plan.  This plan includes identification of key contacts (with backups) and chain of communications.
10. Implement guidelines to modify the frequency and type of face-to-face contact e.g. meetings, conferences.

Below are other resources for Business Continuity Planning during a Pandemic Influenza

Resources for Businesses (Manufacturers and Exporters):

Canada's Manufacturers and Exporters Continuity Planning Guide for Canadian Business

Canada's Manufacturers and Exporters pandemic website

Resources for Business (Retail)

Retail Council of Canada's Pandemic Planning Brochure  (PDF)

Retail Council of Canada's Pandemic Planning Website

Resources pertaining to Human Resources:

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Pandemic Planning Checklist

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) pandemic webpage

Resources for Faith Communities:

Planning guide for faith communities developed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Planning guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Resources for Colleges/Universities:

Planning guide (Word document) developed by the Gallagher Higher Education Practice Group.

Planning guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention