Influenza Update #22 - H1N1-(swine)

MedPrep Consulting Group LLC Dr. Stuart B. Weiss   INFLUENZA UPDATE #22 WHO PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL 5 MAY 22, 2009   SUBSCRIBE: Click button at bottom or send email to alert@MedPrepGroup.com   Quick Update: WHO Press briefing The WHO held its first press briefing in a week now that the World Health Assembly, their gathering of all member nations, has concluded. Here's a brief summary of what they said.   The WHO took a significant step away from the current definition of Pandemic Phase 6. While they wouldn't commit to when a new definition would be available, they did say that the new definition would include criteria to determine if there was a substantial increase in the risk of harm to humans. 11,168 confirmed cases in 42 countries. In countries with large outbreaks, the number of cases are less important than disease outbreak patterns. Some countries are moving away from lab confirmation of cases that clinically look like H1N1 (swine). Vaccine development seems to be proceeding on track. No decision from the strategic advisory group yet on how much vaccine to make.   HOUSEKEEPING ITEM:  If you get this Alert through a mailing list and not directly from us, subscribe by clicking the button at the bottom or send an email to alert@MedPrepGroup.com       ANALYSIS:    Backing off from the current Phase six definition by the WHO at the press briefing today is not entirely unexpected. All week at the World Health Assembly, the WHO has heard from member countries that severity should be included in the Phase definitions. We've been saying that to you as well. What this means is now, more than ever, you need to develop new triggers for your plans. The Phases, which were initially developed using H5N1 (avian) flu as the model are not necessarily valid anymore. Stay tuned for more, we'll be hearing more about this in the coming weeks or months.         ADVICE: Develop your action plan with triggers that are based on spread, severity and impact. Don't wait until the new WHO phase definitions come out. Start working on this now. Take this opportunity to uncouple your plan from WHO Phases and build a decision matrix and triggers based on the combination of spread, severity and impact. Look at your H.R. policies concerning employees who miss work when schools are closed due to a viral outbreak. On the CDC call today, they mentioned that over 60 schools across the country are closed due to H1N1 (swine), affecting 42,000 students. Some studies in the past have pointed to a 10% increase in worker absenteeism when parents must stay home to watch kids. Take a look at how do your H.R. policies handle this. For clients in the U.S., have a great holiday weekend.     Virtual Medical Director Program:   If you don't have access to timely accurate medical information and analysis, our Virtual Medical Director service provides you with 24 hour access to physicians and experts trained in emergency medicine, disaster medicine, business continuity, occupational health and mental health crisis management. In essence, we function in the role of corporate medical director for those companies who do not have access to that resource in-house. Contact us for further information.     Not preparing now would be a serious mistake should things worsen quickly.       If you have any questions or concerns that we can help you with, please feel free to reach out to me. My email is: sweiss@MedPrepGroup.com       MedPrep Consulting Group is internationally recognized as a leader in pandemic, disaster and business continuity planning, training and exercising. We have resources and expertise that you can count on. Ask us about our Virtual Medical Director Program.   Dr. Stuart Weiss is the CEO of MedPrep Consulting Group. For more information, visit www.MedPrepGroup.com   Stuart Weiss, MD, CBCP MedPrep Consulting Group LLC