Lessons From The 1918 Pandemic and Emerging Pandemic Threats

In light of the current pandemic of H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the spread of H5N1 (Avian Flu, or Bird Flu) I thought posting this video from TED on a presentation from Laurie Garrett on lessons from the 1918 flu.

The Video is actually from around April 2007 before the current out-break of H1N1 but can shed some light on a number of things and is worth taking the time to view.

This video highlights the main preparedness issues around pandemics and is more relevant today than it was when Laurie Garrett gave the presentation at TED in 2007.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Spreading Across Globe, Time for Business Planning Running Out

As Swine Flu continues to spread at a rapid pace, the window of opportunity for preparedness is closing fast as well.

Initially I was putting out preparedness information through my business/blog newsletter, however the situation has evolved rapidly enough that I thought it best to post some important information directly here on my blog.

First and foremost, if you run a business REVIEW or quickly develop a pandemic plan now, before it gets too late.

With that said, don’t panic, remain calm. There is no reason at this moment to not send your kids to school or stay home if you are not having symptoms. You can also not get the Swine Flu from eating pork.

Currently and for the first time, the WHO has increased its phase level of pandemic alert and changed the definitions of the phases; it is currently at Phase 4.

You can read more about the WHO Pandemic Phases on the WHO website, but here is the current definition of 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.

Breakdown of the new WHO definitions:

• Phase 1: No viruses circulating in animals that cause infections in humans
• Phase 2: Animal virus is circulating that is known to cause human infection
• Phase 3: Animal or human-animal reassortment virus causes sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people but not sustained community level outbreaks
• Phase 4: Verified human-to-human transmission of a virus that is able to cause community level outbreaks and marks a significant upward shift in the risk for a pandemic
• Phase 5: Human-to-human spread of virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. This is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent
• Phase 6: Pandemic phase
• Post-peak: Pandemic disease levels in most countries with adequate surveillance have dropped below peak levels
• Post-pandemic: Influenza disease activities has returned to levels normally associated with seasonal influenza

The current situation is extremely fluid and as of this posting a total of 64 cases have been confirmed inside the United States. I will not focus on cases outside the United States at this time, however you can find updates to this information by going to the CDC Swine Flu web page, it is currently updated once per day.

Recommendations:

• Communicate to your employees; review your plan with them.
• Consider sending out daily reminders, about proper hand washing, and proper sneezing and coughing techniques.
• Consider eliminating ALL business related travel to Mexico; utilize telecommunications, virtual meetings for business.
• If you considered implementing the prophylactic use of anti-virals, now is the time to review your plan. If you are considering them as an option, now is the time to sign up.
• Now is the time to consider telecommuting options for employees who can work from home, and getting them trained. Don’t wait allow them time to adjust so they will be ready if it becomes a must.
• Consider options for what telecommuting employees will do if working remotely fails. Many businesses are planning the same options. Reduced internet performance and even outages will be likely.
• Consider what to do if employees refuse to come in to work (from panic)
• Consider how to handle employees who may appear to be ill, but come to work anyway.

There will be many other options to consider.

Act now before it is too late.

If you need help planning for your business, have questions or concerns you can send me an email through my contact us page.

Or you can always call me directly on my business phone at:

877-565-TECH (8324)

URGENT UPDATE: CDC Says Too Late To Contain Swine Flu

URGENT UPDATE: CDC saying it is too late to contain the outbreak of Swine Flu H1N1

The information is coming in fast I was the total reported cases in MEXICO is now over 1000

The cases in U.S. is around 9, CA (7) TX (2)

For more information see the CDC Swine Flu page

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THIS POST:

Mexican Swine Flu Epidemic Sparks Concerns In United States and Canada

Taliban 60 Miles From Pakistan Capital, Collapse Of Country May Be Imminent

Governments around the world are becoming concerned that the Pakistani capital Islamabad and the entire country will fall into Taliban hands.

This is a nightmare scenario that as far back as two years ago, many would have said impossible, that it could never happen.

However it seems the Pakistani civilian government seems almost blind to the threat, or worse yet almost seemingly welcoming the coming takeover by the Taliban.

In the past, which was only months ago, the new Pakistani government allowed for the Taliban control over the Swat valley under a peace agreement. However once the Taliban moved in and secured the area, the continued attacks against Pakistani police forces and are now approximately 60 miles from the capital.

I'm not sure if it will be months or years, but it looks to me that without NATO, or U.S. intervention which seems unlikely that Pakistan will fall into Taliban hands, and rule.

Recently the militants attacked a NATO convoy of tankers carrying fuel. Please see the AP video below and take note of what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says:

Here is another video on the topic from The New York Times:

Interesting News clip from France TV station:

I have written before about this see the posts here:

Taliban Make Comeback Inside Pakistan, Shari'a Law Imposed

Pakistan Near Collapse, Nukes Will Fall Into Terrorist Hands

Man From Staten Island Goes To Prison For Helping Terror Group

A man from Staten Island, NY (my home town) has been sentenced to 69 months in prison after helping people get broadcasts from Hezbollah's television station which also showed recruitment ads for anti-Israeli suicide bombers and propaganda.

Javed Iqbal -- a Pakistani national, was sentenced after admitting he provided material aid to a terrorist organization.