Swine Flu Update

We have been inundated with enquiries about how to handle the pandemic influenza. Employers need to ensure that they prepare and plan for this (ideally this should have already started). Fortunately so far the swine flu has been very mild and is somewhat of a dress rehearsal for the next one, whenever that may be. If the case fatality rate changes things could get much worse. This occurs with "reassortment" of viral genetic material when it mixes with other flu viruses in an infected person.

There are some simple old fashioned measures you can take to avoid infection and help stop the spread of influenza. These include:

1. Frequent washing hands with soap or antibacterials (I carry wipes in the car to use after handling things like petrol bowsers and those grotty pens in the service stations!)
2. Cover your mouth when you cough - is it really that hard?
3. You can use a P2 mask to help avoid breathing in infected particles. Surgical masks are not really much good for this but can be used if you have the infection.

The "Prepared and Protected videos" are quite good for this sort of information - see below.

This is an excellent document:
Business Continuity Guide

Other links to useful sites:
Centres for Disease Control (USA)
NSW Govt Information for businesses
New Zealand Business Continuity Planning Information
Flunet (World Health Organisation)
Department of Health and Ageing Australia Pandemic Planning (Australia)
Prepared and Protected video

For enquiries on pandemic planning training go to:
QOH enquiry form