www.BIRDFLU-MANUAL.com
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESSES
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESSES
LESSONS FROM SARS
Add this page to your favorite social networking website:
LESSONS FROM SARS
A study conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) following SARS revealed a very interesting statistic. Most of Hong Kong businesses, some 65% in fact, suffered to some extent in their bottom line with many of those going under, permanently. 33% however, managed to survive unscathed, but fascinatingly an incredible 2% of businesses actually saw an improvement.
So how come they were ready to take up the slack? It was because they had some sort of plan in place, even if it wasn't designed for something like SARS.
Click on image to enlarge
Yes, some of those enjoyed increasing profits because they supplied hygiene products, but the numbers are compelling. Having contingency plans does make a big difference when disaster strikes, often irrespective of what the disaster is.
Going to the graph, relatively speaking, jewellery was most hit by SARS, while electronics were least affected. The ban on Hong Kong companies to exhibit at many of the world's fairs amid the outbreak of SARS did by and large disrupt the marketing activities of Hong Kong's exporters.
The incident has barred and discouraged direct business contacts between overseas buyers and Hong Kong suppliers, which are crucial for the trade because a larger collection of jewellery items are usually showcased to potential buyers face-to-face for security reasons and cost-effectiveness.
Many electronics companies, however, already completed their face-to-face negotiations with foreign customers in major events like the Las Vegas CES Show and the Hanover CeBIT Fair prior to the SARS outbreak.
While visits to overseas markets by Hong Kong businessmen did become less convenient, the SARS outbreak also frightened many overseas buyers away from travelling to Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. 84% of the respondents indicated that some of their buyers had cancelled their business trips to Hong Kong. 35% said indeed visits by their buyers did come to a near halt in the wake of the SARS outbreak.
Fortunately since then, most overseas buyers have continued to place orders even without normal business contacts, as 92% of the respondents expressed that their buyers had kept placing orders even not coming to Hong Kong.
To put it into perspective, less than 900 people worldwide died from SARS, a very small fraction of the deaths witnessed each year, year-on-year from 'regular' pathogens such as TB, AIDS and 'normal' influenza. These relatively small numbers however hide the most damaging aspects felt by SARS.
It was the public reaction. People simply stopped going out for several weeks during and following the outbreak. Offices were empty and the streets were reminiscent of the Chinese New Year break when a large proportion of Hong Kong's population are either out of town (visiting relatives in mainland China) or at home with their families.
The floor fell out of Hong Kong's visitor arrivals, and rumours were rife that passengers arriving on flights from Hong Kong would be subjected to 10 days quarantine.
In cities around the world, people crossed over to the other side of the road rather than risking infection by passing close to anyone they knew as being a Hong Kong resident.
This of course was ridiculous, yet the public's ignorance to what we were dealing with led them to err on the side of caution, and the same will happen again.
A pandemic outbreak of Influenza, be it Avian Flu or any other kind of influenza for that matter will no doubt lead to even greater public panic than that witnessed during SARS.
If businesses want their staff to come to work they'll need a proper response organised which has been tested and communicated to staff before the pandemic hits. To wait until it does will already be too late.
 Serving you 24/7/365 |
Bird Flu Manual eShop and Templates Library "... saving you time and money ..." |
Add this page to your favorite social networking website:
Latest Bird Flu / Avian Flu News From Medical News Today.
| 01/08/2009 04:00 PM |
| Excessive Use Of Antiviral Drugs Could Aid Deadly Flu |
|
Influenza's ability to resist the effects of cheap and popular antiviral agents in Asia and Russia should serve as a cautionary tale about U.S. plans to use the antiviral Tamiflu in the event of widespread avian flu infection in humans, scientists say. Researchers analyzed almost 700 genome sequences of avian influenza strains to document where and when the virus developed resistance to a class of antiviral drugs called adamantanes and how far resistant strains spread.
|
| 01/08/2009 02:00 AM |
| Woman With Bird Flu Dies In Beijing Hospital |
|
Chinese health authorities confirmed on Tuesday that a 19-year old woman from east China who lived in Beijing and who was infected with bird flu died in a Beijing hospital at 7.20 am on Monday. The woman, named Huang Yanqing, was the first bird flu case reported in China's capital city since 2003, according to a statement released by the municipal health bureau and reported by Xinhua, the Chinese state council's news agency.
|
| 12/31/2008 02:00 AM |
| 1918 Flu Killed Millions Because Of Three Genes |
|
A team of scientists from the US and Japan have identified a combination of three genes in the flu virus that was most likely responsible for making the 1918 flu strain so deadly that it caused the most devastating outbreak of infectious disease ever known to humankind, leaving tens of millions dead in its wake.
|
| 12/17/2008 04:00 PM |
| WHO Update Of Avian Influenza Situation In Cambodia |
|
The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has announced a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The 19-year-old male, from Kandal Province, developed symptoms on 28 November and initially sought medical attention at a local health centre on 30 November. The presence of the H5N1 virus was confirmed by the National Influenza Centre, the Institut Pasteur in Cambodia, on 11 December.
|
| 12/14/2008 05:00 PM |
| Vaccines Against Avian Flu - AmVac AG Cooperates With National Health Research Institutes In Taiwan |
|
Swiss AmVac AG establishes comprehensive collaboration with the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan to combat H5N1. H5N1/Influenza A is a flu virus known colloquially as "avian flu". "Avian flu" first occurred in Asia, and was transmitted to humans in a number of cases.AmVac's CSO Prof. Michel Klein attended the opening ceremony of the pilot plant Vaccine Centre of the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan.
|
| 12/12/2008 04:00 PM |
| USD 12.5 M Funding For The Development Of Intercell's Vaccine Patch System For Pandemic Influenza From U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services |
|
Intercell AG (VSE: ICLL) announced the execution of a contract modification with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agreement commits additional funding of USD 12.5 m for Intercell's Pandemic Influenza program. Intercell is developing a Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Patch System that includes an immunostimulant patch administered in conjunction with an injected Pandemic Influenza vaccine (manufactured by Solvay Biologicals, B.V.
|
| 12/12/2008 04:00 PM |
| Vical Pandemic Influenza Vaccines Achieve T-Cell Responses And Cross-Clade Reactivity In Humans |
|
Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq: VICL) announced that the company's Vaxfectin(R)-formulated H5N1 pandemic influenza DNA vaccines induced T-cell responses against a matching strain of influenza virus and demonstrated cross-clade antibody responses against a different strain in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The company previously reported that the vaccines had achieved potentially protective levels of antibody responses in up to 67% of evaluable subjects in the trial's higher dose cohorts.
|
| 12/09/2008 11:00 PM |
| Over 80,000 Chickens To Be Killed In Hong Kong After Bird Flu Found |
|
Authorities in Hong Kong say over 80,000 chickens will be culled after a poultry farm was found to have chickens infected with avian influenza (bird flu). The last time bird flu was detected in Hong Kong was in 2002. About 60 dead chickens were found in the farm, according to York Chow, Health Secretary. Tests have confirmed the birds died from the H5N1 virus - the most virulent strain. He added that all chickens within a 2-mile (3-km) radius of the infected farm will be culled.
|
| 12/04/2008 02:00 AM |
| Estimating Antiviral Effectiveness Against Pandemic Influenza Using Household Data |
|
Antiviral drugs play a central role in current plans for managing an influenza pandemic. However, their ability to reduce symptoms and infectivity in cases, and to reduce susceptibility of individuals given antivirals prophylactically must be confirmed for the pandemic virus strain. We present a technique for estimating antiviral effectiveness from data that can gathered easily from infected households during the early stages of an influenza pandemic.
|
| 12/03/2008 09:00 PM |
| Effects Of Influenza A Virus Infection On Migrating Mallard Ducks |
|
Mallard ducks are a main reservoir for low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in nature, yet surprisingly little is known about how infection affects these birds. We analyzed 10,000 samples from migratory mallards in Sweden for presence of influenza virus and were able to demonstrate that infected birds were leaner than uninfected birds, and that weight loss was related to the amount of virus shed in their faeces.
|
| 12/02/2008 11:00 PM |
| Armed Forces Institute Of Pathology To Conduct NanoViricides Animal Studies Against Bird Flu |
|
NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), announced today that they have executed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). This joint R&D effort will enable AFIP scientists to test the effectiveness of several NanoViricides, Inc. anti-viral nanomedicines against deadly bird flu viruses (H5N1) at their facilities.
|
| 11/28/2008 06:00 PM |
| Fate And Effects Of The Drug Tamiflu In The Environment |
|
The research council FORMAS in Sweden has granted 574 000 euro to a new research project that will study the environmental fate and effects of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu on the development on influenza resistance. Tamiflu is being stockpiled all over the world for use in fighting the next influenza pandemic. However, there are growing signs that influenza viruses may develop resistance to this vital pharmaceutical, because it is routinely prescribed for seasonal influenza.
|
| 11/27/2008 06:00 PM |
| Tamiflu In The Environment |
|
The research council FORMAS, Sweden, has granted 5.9 million SEK to a new research project that will study the environmental fate and effects of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu on the development on influenza resistance. Tamiflu is being stockpiled all over the world for use in fighting the next influenza pandemic. However, there are growing signs that influenza viruses may develop resistance to this vital pharmaceutical, because it is routinely prescribed for seasonal influenza.
|
| 11/27/2008 06:00 PM |
| Tamiflu In The Environment |
|
The research council FORMAS, Sweden, has granted 5.9 million SEK to a new research project that will study the environmental fate and effects of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu on the development on influenza resistance. Tamiflu is being stockpiled all over the world for use in fighting the next influenza pandemic. However, there are growing signs that influenza viruses may develop resistance to this vital pharmaceutical, because it is routinely prescribed for seasonal influenza.
|
| 11/26/2008 08:00 PM |
| News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology |
|
New Vaccines Protect Against Asian H5N1 Influenza A Viruses in Domestic Ducks Scientists are looking at a novel strategy to prevent the spread of pandemic avian influenza. They have developed a vaccine that protects ducks, a known natural reservoir for the virus.
|
| 11/24/2008 06:00 PM |
| New Centre To Fight Infectious Diseases - China-Australia Centre For Phenomics Research |
|
The fight against infectious diseases such as Avian influenza will receive a boost today with the official opening of the China-Australia Centre for Phenomics Research at The Australian National University. The centre will be opened by ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb and Professor Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
|
| 11/23/2008 04:00 PM |
| Minister For Health Dawn Primarolo To Give Evidence To Lords Science Committee On Risks Of Flu Pandemic, UK |
|
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, which in December 2005 published a report on the risks of pandemic influenza, will next week hold a follow-up evidence session with Dawn Primarolo MP, Minister of State for Public Health. The Committee's original report took the view that the first line of defence against a potential human influenza pandemic was effective surveillance and control of avian influenza, in particular in south east Asia.
|
| 11/14/2008 04:00 PM |
| Cleveland Clinic Recognizes New Strategies For Creating Vaccines For Avian Flu As A Top Ten Medical Innovation For 2009 |
|
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) announced that its strategy for treating avian flu through genetically-engineered virus-like particles (VLPs) was ranked as a Top Ten Innovation at Cleveland Clinic 6th Annual Medical Innovation Summit. Novavax, Inc.
|
| 11/13/2008 04:00 PM |
| A New Way To Predict Outbreaks: Replikin Peptide Concentration In H5N1 Influenza Virus Genome As A Marker For Lethal Outbreaks |
|
WHO and CDC have stated that the predictive accuracy of their annual formulations for human influenza vaccines is "suboptimal" -- often correct less than 50% of the time, especially for seniors. Perhaps in part because we are not yet accurate in our predictions of upcoming influenza strains, approximately 36,000 people die each year of flu in the United States alone.
|
| 11/13/2008 04:00 PM |
| A New Way To Predict Outbreaks: Replikin Peptide Concentration In H5N1 Influenza Virus Genome As A Marker For Lethal Outbreaks |
|
WHO and CDC have stated that the predictive accuracy of their annual formulations for human influenza vaccines is "suboptimal" -- often correct less than 50% of the time, especially for seniors. Perhaps in part because we are not yet accurate in our predictions of upcoming influenza strains, approximately 36,000 people die each year of flu in the United States alone.
|
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BIRD FLU MANUAL
ONLINE'S OTHER TOPICS BELOW:
(Our Manual gets reviewed and updated regularly so make sure you add this page to your favorites and come back often!)ONLINE'S OTHER TOPICS BELOW:
|
Bird Flu Articles Bird Flu Books Bird Flu Directory Links Importance of Planning Office Access Control Public Health Sector Actions Avian Flu Information Hygiene Awareness Posters Bird Flu - a Basic Understanding Bird Flu Characteristics Bird Flu FAQ Bird Flu Information Bird Flu Pictures Bird Flu Summary Tips Bird Flu Symptoms Bird Flu Videos Bird Flu vs Regular Disruption Business Continuity Manager Communications Management Communications Tree Pandemic Activations Phases Pandemic Response Phases Risk Assessment Risk Analysis People Risk Analysis Process Risk Analysis Suppliers Risk Analysis Utilities Customer Confidence Pandemics Through History Business Impact Analysis Business Impact Analysis Questionnaire Influenza Screening Flowchart Customer Management Flu Mortality Index |
Drills and Practice Pandemic Flu Flu vs.Cold Differences Influenza Manager Lists and Forms Office Access Controls - Orange Office Access Controls - Red Office Access Controls - Yellow Sterile Office Environment Pandemic Flu Information Pandemic Influenza FAQ Personal Hygiene Education Promoting Staff Awareness Public Health Quarantine Room Regulatory Compliance Report of Recommendations Sample Project Timeline Sickness Response Procedures Sickness Contact Tracking Social Distancing Staff Awareness Staff Training Stockpiling Supply Shortages Travel Application Form Travel Policy Guidelines Travel Policy Guidelines - Orange Travel Policy Guidelines - Red Travel Policy Guidelines - Yellow Understanding Bird Flu Workforce Management Workplace Disinfection |
Add this page to your favorite social networking website:
