DEPARTMENT OF

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
SERVICES Division of Public Health October 12,
2006
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Outline

• In Wisconsin, what can we expect in the next
  influenza pandemic?
• How can your business prepare?

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IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
EPIDEMIC Disease or condition with activity
above what is typically seen in a given
geographic area. Ex. Annual Influenza activity
in Northern Hemisphere PANDEMIC Disease
activity in a large geographic area (worldwide?),
usually for longer periods of time Ex. HIV,
Obesity(?)
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WHAT IS INFLUENZA?

• A respiratory disease caused by influenza virus.
• Abrupt onset of fever, cough, sore throat,
  chills, body aches.
• Not typically associated with vomiting or
  diarrhea.
• Typical incubation period 15 days (usually
  1-3).

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Pandemic Influenza
An influenza pandemic is unlike any other public
health emergency or disaster
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SEASONAL VERSUS PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
Seasonal Influenza Pandemic Influenza
Begins November/December At any time of the year
Peaks Late January/early February Not known
Duration 4-5 months 2 years or more
At Risk Elderly, chronic illness, infants Everyone
Vaccine Annual vaccine available in October Not available for 6-8 months after a pandemic begins
Reproduction (Spreadability) 1.5 to 2 additional cases 2.5 to 3 additional cases
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1999
1997
2000
2001
1998
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1999
1997
2000
2001
1998
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INFLUENZA SEASONAL IMPACT
WISCONSIN Population 5.4 million
Outpatient Care 120,000-240,000
5-20 Infected 270,000-1.1 million
Deaths 600-1000
Hospitalized 3,500-7,000
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INFLUENZA PANDEMIC IMPACT
WISCONSIN Population 5.4 million
Outpatient Care 1.4 million
35 Infected 1.9 million
Deaths 8500
Hospitalized 27,500
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WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN THE NEXT PANDEMIC?

• Absenteeism ( up to 30-40)
• Employee illness family members
• Death
• Fear
• Shortages of materials
• Possible closures (hopefully short term)
• Financial Issues

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PUBLIC HEALTH INFECTION CONTROL STRATEGIES

• Personal Hygiene
• Hand washing
• Respiratory etiquette
• Stay home when sick
• Social distancing and limiting access
• Public gatherings and events cancelled
• Public places closed
• Restricted or suspended travel
• Isolation/Quarantine

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HOW CAN YOUR BUSINESS PREPARE FOR A PANDEMIC?

• Education of
• employees
• Communicating with
• employees during
• a pandemic

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HOW CAN YOUR BUSINESS PREPARE FOR A PANDEMIC?

• Plan to keep operating with only 60 staff
• Dont plan to close!!

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BUSINESS PLANNING

• Plan how to keep operating with only 60 staff
• Establish policies for flexible worksite (e.g.
  telecommuting)
• Flexible work hours (e.g. staggered shifts).
• Retraining or cross-training
• Reduce or combine services

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BUSINESS PLANNING

• Communicating with employees during a pandemic
• Plan for communicating with vendors, suppliers,
  and customers inside and outside the worksite

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BUSINESS PLANNING

• Communicating with employees during a pandemic
• Anticipate employee fear and anxiety, rumors and
  misinformation

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WHAT WE DONT KNOW

• We do not know when the next pandemic it will
  occur
• We do not know how severe the next pandemic will
  be

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WHAT WE KNOW..

• An influenza pandemic is likely to occur at some
  time in our life
• An influenza pandemic will result in increased
  illness and increased deaths
• Need to prepare for increased absenteeism
• Need to prepare now for what we know will occur
  and be prepared to make intelligent decisions
  when faced with the unexpected!!

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INFLUENZA PANDEMIC RESOURCES

• www.PandemicFlu.gov
• Official U.S. Government Web site on pandemic
  influenza and avian influenza
• www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic
• Centers for Disease Control Pandemic Influenza
  Info.
• www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov

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Thomas Haupt M.S.

• Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist
• Wisconsin Division of Public Health
• 608-266-5326
• hauptte_at_dhfs.state.wi.us