Plumas County Public Health Agency. Preparing the Community for Public Health Emergencies

Transcription

1 Plumas County Public Health Agency Preparing the Community for Public Health Emergencies

2 Safeguarding Your Investment Local businesses have invested significant time and resources into being successful. You have all worked hard to get to where you are today, and want to do everything you can to protect your business from risk. Each year, thousands of businesses are forced to close from floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Common events such as building fires or a frozen pipe that bursts can cause the same result. Research shows that at least 25% of businesses that close after these events do not re-open. Many that do, struggle to stay in business.

3 What can you do? 1. Learn how to Protect your assets 2. Plan for business continuity

4 Business Continuity Planning For Any Emergency Much of emergency planning is universal Cross-over benefit: businesses will be prepared for any future event that threatens sustaining essential operations Use this opportunity to trigger business and community planning activities that we haven t yet addressed

5 What is Pandemic Influenza? A pandemic means a global outbreak of a novel (new) disease to which humans have no immunity. In , a global pandemic of Spanish Flu killed about 50 million people worldwide.

6 Seasonal influenza strikes in the fall and winter months. Pandemic influenza can strike year-round We have vaccines to protect against seasonal flu. This will not protect against a new pandemic flu. It will take months to develop a vaccine for a novel virus Seasonal flu affects 5-20% of the population. Pandemic flu can strike up to 30% of the population and causes more severe illness than seasonal flu.

7 Are we past due for the next pandemic? Three serious flu pandemics during 20 th century 1918, 1957, 1968 They tend to occur in cycles. There has been no major pandemic in many years. Yes,experts believe we are due for another pandemic.

8 What is avian flu? Is caused by an influenza virus that occurs naturally in birds The H5N1 variant is deadly to birds and can be transmitted to humans who have close contact with infected birds The spread of H5N1 from person to person is so far very limited and has not continued beyond one person. Because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that H5N1 could one day infect humans and spread easily from one person to another

9 The Community s Critical Infrastructure - 85% of facilities are privately owned Communication ATM s/credit cards Banks Cell phones landlines Electricity Power for businesses Light and heat for homes Power for vital communication Power for radio and TV Emergency Broadcast System Water For drinking Sanitary needs Fire fighting needs

10 Federal government: Stockpile medications and supplies Research new vaccines Monitor and respond quickly to virus outbreaks Help state and local authorities develop pandemic response plans Establish public health guidelines

11 State and Local Public Health Agencies: Develop and update statewide and local pandemic plans Develop mass immunization strategies Prepare for and provide timely, consistent risk communications during a public health emergency Test plans through exercises Organize cooperative efforts involving essential community services

12 Any local government that fails to prepare expecting the federal or state government to step in will be tragically wrong. HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt CA Pandemic Influenza Summit Mar 30, 2006

13 Social Disruption May Be Widespread Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include schools, daycare, hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices. Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled. Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.

14 Key Concerns for Business Community Maintain essential functions and services Workforce preservation - protect employees health, safety and welfare Check that core business functions can be sustained with minimum workforce Plan for interruptions of essential government services like sanitation, water, power, and disruptions to food supply Consider measures to provide financial aid to those employees who have no paid leave.

15 Pandemic Planning Opportunities Advances general emergency preparedness Improves local infrastructure Engages community partners Creates local ties to public health Benefits annual influenza epidemic control Mitigates impact of next influenza pandemic

16 Call to Action To be successful, local public health preparedness planning requires helping the business community sustain vital services during any disaster.

17 What To Do Now? Talk to those who have resources in emergency planning and the public health department to provide your workplace or organization with information, guidance and resources in planning to protect your family, business and the community.

18 For additional information: California Department of Health Services (Search for Pandemic Influenza) -or- Plumas County Public Health Agency orwww.pandemicflu.gov

19 Contact Information Mimi Hall, Panflu Coordinator Public Health Program Division Chief