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Getting ready for a flu pandemic
A bird flu virus is currently infecting small numbers of people in some parts of the world. Health experts are concerned that it could change into an influenza virus that easily passes from person to person – causing an influenza pandemic affecting many people around the world.
At present no pandemic strain of influenza has been identified.
However, it is wise to prepare now for a potential pandemic which could arise from influenza or other infectious diseases. As well as the possible health effects an influenza pandemic could create social and economic disruption. You need to think about how you, your family and your workplace would be affected by circumstances such as:
- If a new pandemic influenza virus occurs and enters New Zealand many people could become very sick or die.
- The main pandemic wave could last around eight weeks.
- Schools and childcare facilities could be closed for even longer.
- Many workers will be absent through illness or caring for others.
- While plans are already being put in place, there could be some disruption to essential services and supplies of food and water.
- Places of public gathering may be closed – theatres, churches, galleries, libraries, sports venues, hotels etc.
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Have a plan for your family and friends
Your family and friends may become sick or have to stay at home for days or even weeks during a pandemic. You can do a few simple things now to prepare for a pandemic:
- Talk about and plan for the things you may have to deal with – caring for children or keeping in contact with friends and family away from home.
- Have a plan for how you’ll cope if your whole family becomes ill. Arrange a contact for support outside of your household - talk to neighbours about how you could support each other during a pandemic.
- Make sure that important contact details are readily available – family, friends, neighbours, employer, family doctor.
- Keep your insurances, financial arrangements, wills etc in order as this may become difficult or expensive during a pandemic.
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Household emergency survival kit
You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for one or two weeks to cope with shortages due to panic buying or supply problems.
- Food – build up a supply of canned, preserved or non-perishable foods. Store in a cool area and make sure to use and replace them regularly. (Hints – choose familiar foods; include food that doesn’t need preparation; have foods you eat when sick - clear soups, juices and jellies are ideal). Buy a little extra food each week to build up extra supplies and rotate the food to make sure it doesn't go past it's use by date.
- Water – allow three litres per person per day. Store in plastic containers in a cool dark place or in a freezer.
- First aid kit – include 7-10 days of paracetamol or ibuprofen for each person to treat fever. Have plenty of tissues (or toilet paper) and plastic bags (supermarket bags are good) to dispose of used tissues. Masks can be worn by sick people to help stop the spread of germs (purchase from a pharmacy or hardware store).
- Prescription medicines - make note of any medicines you are taking and make sure you have adequate supplies.
- Think about what you’ll do if you or your family have to stay home for more than two weeks (books, games, videos).
- Consider the effect on your family if there are no public gatherings during a pandemic. Funeral services for example may be restricted.
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Hygiene – keeping clean
Maintaining good personal hygiene is probably the best way to protect yourself against the spread of germs, especially during a pandemic:
- Regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap. An alcohol-based rub is a satisfactory substitute if soap and water are not available. It is important to dry your hands well. Wash and dry hands:
- before preparing food and eating
- after coughing or sneezing, blowing noses, wiping children’s noses, after skin contact with others (eg shaking hands), visiting the toilet or looking after sick people.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Put tissues straight into a covered, lined rubbish bin or plastic bag.
- Try to stay at least one metre away from sick people to reduce the spread of germs
- During a pandemic, if you have to go out in public keep at least one metre away from other people and avoid making physical contact.
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How is pandemic influenza different to bird flu?
Avian influenza (bird flu) - Currently there are outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1 or bird flu) in a number of countries in Asia and it is spreading to other parts of the world. Small numbers of people have become infected with avian influenza (bird flu) through long-term exposure in confined conditions, causing serious illness or death. Avian influenza is not easily transferable to humans and there has been no human to human transmission reported.
Health authorities are concerned that an avian influenza virus and a human influenza virus might mix or that the avian flu virus could change – resulting in a new strain of influenza virus that can pass easily from person to person.
Pandemic influenza - When a flu virus spreads around the world affecting many people at once, it is called an influenza pandemic. It occurs when a new virus appears that people have no natural immunity to, spreads easily from person to person and causes severe disease.
Influenza pandemics have happened before - there were three last century in 1918, 1957/58 and 1968/69. The pandemics in the 1950s and 1960s were caused by viruses containing a combination of genes from a human influenza virus and an avian influenza virus.
An influenza pandemic could occur at any time. If this happens and the new virus enters New Zealand, many people could become very sick or die.
While there is no need for public alarm at present, we cannot be complacent - there is a need for public awareness and a need to plan now.
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Planning
A pandemic will have significant health effects and create social and economic disruption. We must plan now to make sure that our community is as prepared as possible for a pandemic outbreak. Planning is happening at many levels:
National Health Emergency Planning
The Ministry of Health is working with the health sector and a wide range of other government agencies to ensure New Zealand is as prepared as possible for a potential pandemic. The Ministry has a five-stage strategy for dealing with pandemic influenza:
Stage 1. Plan for it. Planning to reduce the health, social and economic impact of a pandemic.
Stage 2. Keep it out. Border management to keep the pandemic out of New Zealand.
Stage 3. Stamp it out. Controlling and/or eliminating any clusters found in New Zealand.
Stage 4. Manage it. Reducing the impact of pandemic influenza on New Zealand’s population.
Stage 5. Recover from it. Assisting the recovery when the population is protected by vaccination or the pandemic declines.
Each of these stages could last for months or longer.
Regional planning
In Taranaki many organizations and businesses are working together to make sure that communities are prepared and to reduce any disruption to Taranaki’s essential services and infrastructure during a pandemic. The Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has coordinated a Pandemic Influenza Strategy for Taranaki. Thirteen working groups, based on the national work streams, are working to ensure that sound plans are developed to ensure that the region’s infrastructure and essential businesses and services can continue during a pandemic.
Business continuity planning
Businesses need to plan to reduce the impact of an influenza pandemic on their employees and business. How will supply shortages affect particular businesses; will your business be able to stay open; and how can you protect your staff and customers?
If you have questions regarding pandemic influenza planning or co-ordination please contact Emergency Management staff at the Emergency Management Office.
Taranaki Emergency Management Office:
45 Robe Street
New Plymouth
Private Bag 713
Stratford
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