www.BIRDFLU-MANUAL.com
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESSES
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESSES
AVIAN FLU
AVIAN FLU CHARACTERISTICS
19.1
An Avian Flu pandemic will not be like a physical
disaster. Avian Flu has unique characteristics when compared with a more
"typical" disaster. For example:
19.1.1
The impact of Avian Flu would likely be
widespread, not localised to a single area or region; therefore there may be little
outside assistance. Many business continuity plans assume some part of an
organisation is unaffected and can take up the required capacity.
19.1.2
An Avian Flu pandemic is not a physical disaster. It has
some unique characteristics that require implementation of activities to limit
contact such as restriction of movement, quarantine, and closure of public
gatherings.
19.1.3
An Avian Flu pandemic would not be a short, sharp event
leading immediately to commencement of a recovery phase. Many business
continuity plans assume the event is short/sharp and that recovery can start
immediately.
19.1.4
It is quite likely that there will be some
advance warning from the development of Avian Flu, but it is always possible
that any warning period may be very short. Should Avian Flu spread
within SE Asia it will probably be some weeks before the full impact on
workforce will be felt, although there may be some early impacts resulting from
closures of schools and similar containment measures.
19.1.5
Unlike natural disasters, where any disruption
to business service provision is likely to be hardware-related, disruption to
business operation in the event of a pandemic is anticipated to be mainly
human-resource oriented. WHO advises that businesses should plan for up to 50%
staff absences for periods of about two weeks at the height of a severe
pandemic wave, and lower levels of staff absence for a few weeks either side of
the peak. Overall a pandemic wave may last about 8 weeks. Note that the
pandemic may come in waves of varying severity over time.
19.2
Staff absences can be expected for many reasons:
19.2.1
Illness/incapacity (suspected / actual /
post-infectious)
19.2.2
Some employees may need to stay at home to care
for the ill
19.2.3
People will feel safer at home (e.g. to keep out
of crowded places such as public transport)
19.2.4
Some people may be fulfilling other voluntary
emergency roles in the community
19.2.5
Others may need to stay at home to look after
school-aged children (as schools are likely to be closed).
19.3
An Avian Flu pandemic could last many months and may
contain peaks followed by periods of reduced illness. The 50% is an estimate of
staff absences at peaks of a significant pandemic.
19.4
Avian Flu may have other impacts on businesses,
for example:
19.4.1
Supplies of materials needed for ongoing
activity may be disrupted, e.g. if they are imported as air freight; similarly,
availability of services from sub-contractors may be impacted (this may affect
maintenance of key equipment, and is an area that merits close planning attention).
19.4.2
Demand for services may be impacted - demand for
some services may increase (internet access is a possible example); while
demand for others may fall (e.g. certain types of travel activity may reduce).
19.5
Business continuity plans may need to be
reviewed to ensure that they are robust to significant staff absences and other
pandemic-related risks.
19.6
It is not possible to predict how long an Avian Flu
pandemic may last. There could be more than one wave of infection during a
pandemic period. Each wave could typically last about eight weeks, building to a peak in week four before
abating again. The World Health Organiation advises that businesses should plan for up to 50% staff absences for periods of about two
weeks at the height of a pandemic wave and lower levels of staff absence for a
few weeks either side of the peak.
19.7
To ensure business continuity in a pandemic,
short term planning, with a health focus, is paramount. Succession planning (in
the event of staff deaths or long-term disability during the pandemic) and back
up planning is also essential. Emergency management and overall recovery is
greatly facilitated if essential services are available without significant
interruption.
19.8
Continuity planning for Avian Flu should
include:
19.8.1
Identification of essential business activities
(and the core people and skills to keep them running), and ensuring that these
are backed-up with alternative arrangements.
19.8.2
Mitigation of business / economic disruptions,
including possible shortages of supplies; and Minimising illness in workers and
customers.
19.9
Medical Advisor
19.9.1
If your business does not already have one, it
may be prudent to ensure that it has access to a medical practitioner for
assistance and advice in the event of an Avian Flu pandemic.
Don’t rely on Government and hospital supplies. There won't be enough. Get yours here now.
 Serving you 24/7/365 |
Bird Flu Manual eShop and Templates Library "... saving you time and money ..." |
|
ONLINE'S OTHER TOPICS BELOW:
