Local Emergency Planning Committee

Pandemic Planning

Influenza is spread among people by close contact (6 ft or less) to a sneezing or coughing sick person or by touching a contaminated surface and then the mouth, nose or eyes.  At this time, the H5N1 Avian Flu is not easily spread from person-to-person; the concern is that it may change or mutate into a form that is.  The big concern about Avian Influenza (*Bird Flu*) is that if it could be easily spread person-to-person and cause a worldwide outbreak (also known as pandemic) of flu in humans, it could result in millions of human deaths worldwide.

The Union County Health Department, along with members of the LEPC, has formulated plans for controlling the spread of flu.  Part of controlling flu requires educating the public on the necessity of good hand washing techniques, coughing into the crook of the elbow instead of into the hand, and storing supplies of surgical masks and gloves.  If a pandemic flu hits this county, activities such as large gatherings of people may need to be canceled and there will need to be voluntary isolation of ill people.  Because it takes months to develop vaccines and because flu strains mutate into different forms, it is not likely that there will be a vaccine available for a pandemic flu.

In a pandemic, businesses can expect up to a 40% reduction in their workforce with workers who are ill, taking care of ill family members or caring for children if schools and day cares are closed.  Flu generally comes in waves and each wave will last 6-8 weeks. The primary objective of planning for pandemic is to minimize sickness and death. The secondary objective is to minimize social and economic disruption.  Part of the planning process is to develop a list of county specific support agencies that will carry out essential roles during a pandemic period, and Union County is presently involved in that process.  In addition businesses, individuals and families should develop pandemic response plans.

Additional information and guides for business, individual and family plans can be found at: www.pandemicflu.gov. The Tennessee State Plan, the East Tennessee Regional Plan, and county annexes can be viewed at: http://www2.state.tn.us/health/CEDS/pandemic.htm