H5N1 Avian Flu

The H5N1 Avian Flu that has been the subject media coverage over the last year is being compared to the Spanish Flu pandemic that killed over 500,000 in the U.S. and over 50 million world-wide in 1918-1919. The Spanish Flu was avian based similar to H5N1 Avian Flu.

On record, 127 people have died from H5N1 since 2003. H5N1 has started much how the Spanish Flu did. First there were bird-to-human transmissions and then evolved into human-to-human transmissions. It was after the human-to-human transmissions started that this virus began to infect a high number of people and caused the catastrophic events of 1918-1919.

There have been confirmed human-to-human transmissions in Asia of H5N1. H5N1 has now spread to Europe and there have been confirmed infections and deaths related to the avian flu. It is only a matter of time before it reaches the United States.

What happens when Avian Flu hits the United States

If the worst case scenario is realized estimations are that over 90 million Americans will be infected with the H5N1 Avian Flu with over 2 million fatalities. Again, that is a worst case scenario. How does this impact on the workplace:

• Estimations of up to 40% loss of Workforce.

• Do not expect the Cavalry to come to your rescue.

• Mutual aid will be of minimal help between communities.

• State resources will be spread over all cities and counties (will also be experiencing 40% loss)
  Federal government, to include Military, will be committed across all 50 states and 175 major cities.

• Response will be largely local / regional / organizations.

Challenges

The challenges you face whether you work in the private or public sector is how you continue to operate and service your customers while making provisions for the safety and health of your associates. It is important that your organization have a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to prepare for this or any other potential event that could impact your ability to deliver the services or product. ARMADA's multi-disciplinary approach to COOP planning will help you:

• Identify your critical functions within your organization and supply chain.

• Help you plan to continue operations in a in a 7/24 environment when you potentially could experience a 40% loss of staff through cross training of staff.

• Educate your workforce.

• Identify alternate work practices such as remote access from home to help contain the spread of the flu within your organization
  Help your organization identify necessary materials to have on hand at the workplace to help mitigate the spread at your location.

• Help your organization work with its key vendors to ensure they will be able to continue services.

Contact ARMADA to assist you with your planning efforts! ARMADA's professional team who have extensive experience in continuity of operations planning, transportation and logistics, information security and corporate security can help your organization prepare, manage and recovery from this or other catastrophic events.