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| Businesses, Families Advised to Review Pandemic Preparedness Plans |
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| Thursday, 30 April 2009 14:44 |
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With the World Health Organization's pandemic threat level raised to 5, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health is advising residents and businesses to take time now to review their preparedness plans.
In Allen County, there have been no confirmed cases of the Influenza A (H1N1)-North American/Human flu (swine flu). Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and will implement infection control measures as appropriate to the level of risk. "As with any possible emergency, having a contingency plan is essential," says Allen County Health Commissioner, Dr. Deborah McMahan. "Now is really the time to make sure that as a family or as an employer, you are prepared." Business plans should address continuity of operations, sick leave policies and other human resource issues that might arise from reductions in staff if people are unable to work due to businesses or schools being closed. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, need to be in continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. Families should also have a plan for how to deal with child care issues should schools close as well as the possible reduction or loss of income if a person is unable to work. Those plans should also include keeping adequate supplies of emergency food, water and medicines at home. Retail pharmacies in the area are ready to educate consumers about preparedness and to assist them in putting together a family flu kit, says Mike Sievers with the Northeast Indiana Pharmacy Emergency Planning Group. A copy of the department's pandemic flu preparedness guide for families is available in several languages at www.fightheflu.org and www.allencountyhealth.com. Additional resources for businesses in planning for a pandemic can be found at www.pandemicflu.gov. Residents can also call the department's public health hotline at 260-449-7506 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For this weekend, the hotline will also be active from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Resources State and Local Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health Allen County Government's Twitter site World/National World Health Organization: www.who.int/en/ |