Pandemic Planning – Protecting Your Business Against H1N1

While no one can predict exactly when it will happen or how many people will be affected, the H1N1 flu virus is expected to hit this fall and winter.  If a mutated (anti-biotic resistant) version of the virus emerges as anticipated, it will very likely result in a pandemic.

Here’s what the experts generally agree on:

• Pandemics usually hit in two or three 8 week waves over their course
• 15 to 35% of the population will be clinically ill, with 50% of those seeking outpatient care
• 6% will contract pneumonia
• Between 1% and 10% will be hospitalized depending on the severity of the pandemic
• Fatality rate could be in the range of 0.6% to 2% (2.2% in 1918)

In Brazil 557 people died and in the USA 552 have died from the first wave of H1N1 (Edmonton Journal – August 27, 2009).  The countries of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Australia and Paraguay all had higher mortality rates per capita, according to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

 Businesses could face up to 50% absenteeism as workers:

• Become ill or stay home to care for ill family
• Refuse to attend work in fear of becoming infected, particularly in high-population work environments (e.g: office buildings)

 Whether or not this pandemic will happen as predicted, an effective approach is to assess potential impacts and what steps your company can take to minimize the business disruption from the H1N1 virus.  This assessment covers the elements of business continuity planning as well as protection and precautions against the effects of the H1N1 virus.  We can assist in developing and implementing an effective plan for your business.