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DHS Swine Flu Update

By Robert Kraft

Here is the latest press release from the Department of Homeland Security regarding swine flu:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
PRIVATE SECTOR OFFICE
H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK UPDATE

FEDERAL INTERAGENCY UPDATES AND INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

DHS H1NI Update: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/swine-flu.shtm
Featured: Video of Monday's press conference

Help us get the message out to the public, post the H1N1 Flu Outbreak Web Widget to your web site: http://www.hhs.gov/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention Main CDC H1N1 Flu Outbreak Page: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
(4/27) CDC Press Briefing: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090427.htm
(4/27) CDC activates Emergency Operations Center: http://www.cdc.gov/news/2009/04/swine_flu/
(4/26) Travelers Health: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
(4/26) Travelers Health (Spanish): http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravelSpanish.aspx

Key Facts on H1N1 Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
CDC Caretaking Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/
Information for Airline Passengers Exposed to H1N1 Flu: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluPassengers.aspx
Good Health Habits Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
H1N1 Flu (Swine) Flu and You: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: PandemicFlu.gov
 (4/26/09) HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for H1N1 (Swine) Flu Outbreak http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090426a.html
Frequently Asked Questions on H1N1 Flu Outbreak: http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/
Guidance for individuals and families preparing for pandemic: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/index.html.
Planning information for community organizations: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/community/index.html

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(4/27) FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02002.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(New - 4/28) Updated Statement by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Regarding USDA Efforts Regarding H1N1 Flu Outbreak http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true%26amp;contentid=2009/04/0137.xml
Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?contentidonly=true%26amp;contentid=2009/04/0131.xml

Office of Personal and Management
(See attached) Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Advice to Federal Employees and Agencies on Preventing the Spread of the Current Flu and Maintaining Readiness to Use HR Flexibilities if Necessary http://www.opm.gov/
U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Safety and Health Administration
Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers: www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf
Proposed Guidance on Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks in Occupational Settings: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/stockpiling-facemasks-respirators.html

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

(4/27) On Monday, the World Health Organization raised its current phase of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan from Phase 3 to Phase 4.
Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause 'community-level outbreaks.' The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.
For more information click to: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

TRAVELERS GUIDANCE

Travelers Health: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx

PREVENTION GUIDANCE
It is prudent for businesses to act in the absence of sufficient data to protect their employees and take advantage of a narrow window of opportunity for intervention. Persons with febrile respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections (including influenza and other respiratory illnesses) to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing can lessen the spread of respiratory illness. As public health officials in the United States learn more about this virus, updated guidance will be issued to the public in conjunction with our state, local, tribal and territorial partners.
Identify your city, county or state public health department's website for the most accurate information on what is taking place in your local area. These sites contain information on the current conditions in your area, what services are available as well as what services may be curtailed or suspended for the duration of an outbreak of influenza.

Identify your Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) and employee readiness to successfully navigate a difficult period. Consulting a website like www.ready.gov on how employees should have enough food, water, medications, and other necessities to weather any breakdown in the supply chain that could prevent employees from reporting to their place of employment.

Identify policies and procedures to protect and sustain workers
Emphasize worker and workplace disease control and protection
Encourage employees to take actions to stay healthy. Such as covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Promote often hand washing with soap and water. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth
If an employee is sick, CDC recommends that the individual stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them

Identify and assess all essential services, functions, and processes necessary to keep systems running

Identify the types and numbers of workers critical to sustain essential functions
Define roles and responsibilities of employees, labor organizations, staff, supervisors, managers, and staff medical personnel
Assess impacts from short-term and extended absences by essential workers
Access, practice, and test remote connectivity and accessibility options for workers to ensure services remain operational

Review all equipment critical to support each essential function
Review primary and supporting components of critical equipment to identify potential critical system failures and possible cascading consequences

Prepare to sustain essential equipment, materials, and supplies for a nationwide wave lasting up to 12 weeks
Assess implications if your essential equipment fails early on during the influenza outbreak

Determine the most effective ways to ensure adequate supply of essential materials
Identify physical or safety limitations in stocking sufficient critical supplies locally
Assess recurring and preventative maintenance requirements

Identify Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements that may affect business operations
Consider how each action relates to those emergency response actions in existing business contingency and emergency response plans

Identify effects from mitigation strategies; take actions to reduce negative impacts
Discuss strategies' potential impacts with workers, as well as your strategies management will take to communicate with employees, before, during, and after an outbreak
Discuss the potential impacts of these strategies with workers, their families, and with customers, supporting businesses and other stakeholders
Collaborate with public/private partners such as state and local health authorities and first responders who support and rely on you

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Private Sector OfficeContact: private.sector@dhs.gov (202) 282-8484

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on May 02, 2009 (boomark / email).