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<< Return to Topic List Updated 1/22/2010 Avian InfluenzaH1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
Why Employers CareAvian flu refers to influenza A viruses that occur naturally in birds. The risk to humans is usually quite low, but a currently circulating strain (H5N1) has crossed the species barrier (infecting birds and humans). Scientists are concerned that H5N1 has the potential to cause a global disease outbreak or pandemic.A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity. In these circumstances, disease spreads easily person-to-person. As such, it can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time. What Can Employers Do?Employers can and should play an important role in pandemic preparedness by assessing business risks (e.g., impact of worker absenteeism, quarantine, supply chain delays, etc); developing business continuity plans; developing basic prevention measures (e.g., employee illness surveillance system, employee education for hand and cough hygiene) and establishing policies to guide the company through a pandemic (e.g., determine critical workers, plan for emergency operations, establish lines of communication).The Business Group has amassed significant information to aid employer preparedness efforts:
Pandemic Flu Alerts May 12, 2009 Pandemic Flu Work Group Call on Employers' Use of Antiviral Reservation Programs Other Pandemic Preparedness Resources |
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