CURRENT H1N1 FLU INFORMATION
 By now, most people are aware that the current breaking national news story centers on the outbreak of the swine flu, its rapid increase, and its present swath through Mexico and the United States. The situation is certainly significant; while in need of monitoring, and a cause for serious concern, it is not a cause for panic. The World Health Organization raised the pandemic phase level to its highest level, Phase 6, indicating a global pandemic. This is its first designation of a global pandemic in 41 years. In order to lessen the impact of this pandemic, organizations and corporations as well as government entities can and should prepare for a swine flu event, as should schools, businesses and families.
James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA), a part of GlobalOptions, Inc., is a leading national crisis and emergency management support consulting firm that offers comprehensive emergency management services, with services to assist with preparations for multiple hazards, natural and man-made, and incorporating pandemic flu and other public health incidents.
What is Swine Flu?
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited. In late March and early April 2008, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans, and cases have been reported internationally, as well.
An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at Center for Disease Control.
The CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
How can swine flu be prevented?
There are actions people can take to stay healthy; they are the same actions we are encouraged to take every day to prevent other illnesses such as the common cold, or the typical yearly flu:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Properly dispose of the used tissue.
· Wash your hands often with soap and hot water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, to prevent the spread of germs.
· Avoid close contact with sick people.
· Influenza is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, through coughing or sneezing of infected people. If you do get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to prevent further contamination.
· Keep on hand a hygiene kit that includes the following items:
INFLUENZA AWARENESS AND PREPARDNESS LINKS, AND PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
H1N1 Tracker
Influenza Orientation Power Point
Readiness Guide For You and Your Family
Business, Enterprise and Organizational Considerations
Schools, Universities and College Considerations
For information specific to Higher Education please visit: CDC - H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Infections Alert for Institutions of Higher Education
USE LINKS BELOW FOR CURRENT SITUATION STATUS UPDATES:
www.pandemicflu.gov. Federal government. Planning & preparedness outreach and awareness information, government alert phases and stages, control and management advice and traveler alerts and advice.
www.cdc.gov. Federal government. Planning & preparedness outreach and awareness information, government alert phases and stages, control and management advice and traveler alerts and advice
www.fema.gov. Federal government. Emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery information.
www.hhs.gov. Federal government. Human health information.
www.who.int. World Health Organization – Information of pandemic for the world
www.un.int United Nations – Information related to Pandemic for countries throughout the world
www.worldbank.com Financial information related to pandemic
James Lee Witt Associates can assist your organization in preparing for a pandemic, by offering the following services:
· Quick plans for companies, schools, and universities
· Employee and Family Preparedness Guide/Toolkit
· Corporate and organizational preparedness campaign development
· Crisis Communication and Rapid Information Dissemination Capability standardization
· Key Action Guides for Business, Education and Government Continuity of Operations
· Quick training for executives, faculty, and employees on flu prevention and preparedness and key actions
· Planning for Pandemic and Business Continuity
· Continuity of Government Planning
· Safety Protocols and Support for International Study Abroad, Research and Business Operations
· On the ground and virtual emergency management support, providing crisis/emergency management response advisory capability
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