A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new virus
appears or emerges in the human population, causes serious illness and then
spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or epidemics of influenza.
Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes
of influenza viruses that already circulate
among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by sub-types that have never circulated among people or by subtypes that have not circulated
among people for a long time.
Once a new pandemic influenza virus
emerges and spreads, it usually becomes
established among people and moves
around or circulates for many years, as do
seasonal epidemics of influenza. Past pandemics have led to high levels of illness,
death, social disruption and economic loss.
If you think this is unnecessary hype and
that it won’t happen to you, your company
or your employees — think again.
According to Keith Kartman, a sales executive with JRG Advisors, the management
company for ChamberChoice, pandemics
are real and need to be monitored by everyone — even businesses.
“Anyone — business owners especially,
since they are responsible for large groups of
people — need to be aware of the threat of a
pandemic,” Kartman says. “The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the World Health Organization (WHO)
have large surveillance programs to monitor
and detect influenza activity around the
world, including the emergence of possible
pandemic strains of influenza virus.”
Smart Business spoke with Kartman about
pandemics, the impacts of them and how a
business can be prepared for any outbreak.
What would the impact of a pandemic be?
It is impossible to predict specifically how a
pandemic would impact the world. The general challenges we are likely to face in a pandemic are easier for experts to predict. But,
here’s what the CDC believes we can expect
during an outbreak of pandemic influenza:
- Rapid worldwide spread. When a pandemic influenza virus emerges, its spread is
considered inevitable. Preparedness activities should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible. Countries
might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of
the virus but would not be able to stop it. - Overloaded health care systems. Because most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus, infection and illness
rates soar. A substantial percentage of the
world’s population would require some form
of medical care. Nations are unlikely to have
the staff, facilities, equipment and hospital
beds needed to cope with large numbers of
people who suddenly become ill. - Inadequate medical supplies. The need
for vaccines would likely outstrip supply.
The need for antiviral drugs would also be
inadequate early in a pandemic. A pandemic
can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies. Difficult decisions
would need to be made regarding who gets
antiviral drugs and vaccines. - Economic and social disruption. Travel
bans and the closing of schools and businesses and cancellations of events could
have a major impact on communities and
citizens. Care for sick family members and
fear of exposure could result in significant
worker absenteeism.
How can you plan for a pandemic?
Many scientists believe it is only a matter of
time until the next influenza pandemic
occurs. The federal government, states, communities and industries are taking steps to
prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. A pandemic is likely to be a prolonged
and widespread outbreak that could require
temporary changes in many areas of society,
such as schools, work, transportation and
other public services. An informed and prepared public can take appropriate actions to
decrease their risk during a pandemic.
What should a business owner and his or her
employees do in the event of a pandemic?
There are several things. You should:
- Develop preparedness plans as you
would for other public health emergencies. - Participate in and promote public health
efforts in your state and community. - Talk with your local public health officials and health care providers; they can supply information about the signs and symptoms of a specific disease outbreak.
- Implement prevention and control
actions recommended by your public health
officials and providers. - Adopt practices that encourage sick
employees to stay home. - Anticipate how to function with a significant portion of the work force absent due to
illness or caring for ill family members.
Why should this be on a company’s radar?
Ensuring an adequate system for alert,
response and disaster management should
be the basis of every national pandemic preparedness plan. Depending on the available
resources, more specific preparations can
be made, such as developing specific contingency plans, strengthening risk communications, investing in pandemic vaccine
research and promoting domestic production of influenza vaccines.
KEITH KARTMAN is a sales executive with JRG Advisors, the management company for ChamberChoice. Reach him at (412) 456-7010
or [email protected].