PLANNING TO RESPOND DURING A PANDEMIC

摘要

Avian influenza, H5N1, may present the world with its next pandemic. Once a fully contagious virus emerges, its global spread is inevitable. During the last century Spanish Flu took 6 months to go around the globe since most international travel at the time was via ship. Today, with the speed and volume of international air travel, the virus could spread in as little as 3 months. The potential loss of life is conservatively estimated at 2 million to 7.4 million deaths globally, and hospitalisation cases at 8.1 million. The predicted high rates of illness and worker absenteeism will contribute to social and economic disruption. Organisations, including oil spill response entities, need to develop response strategies and create plans in advance of the problem.