Safety First Publication

 

 Preparing for Flu Season and the Possibility of a Pandemic

By Robert J. Emery, Dr.P.H.

Monitoring Avian Flu Outbreaks

Currently, the pandemic situation worldwide stands at no or very limited human-to-human transmission — World Health Organization (WHO) Phase 3. The WHO is closely monitoring the situation in countries overseas with identified H5N1 avian flu outbreaks where there is the potential for the virus to initiate a pandemic.

In the United States, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the current situation worldwide and making preparations domestically. 

  • As part of these preparations, the Homeland Security Council has introduced the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan which has defined US Government stages (0-6) for federal government response actions during a pandemic. 
  • Subsequently, the CDC introduced the Pandemic Severity Index (PSI) last February. The PSI system goes into effect when the WHO declares Phase 6 (efficient and sustained human-to-human contact) and the U.S. government declares Stage 3 (widespread outbreaks in multiple locations overseas). The ability of resources (such as health care services, vaccines and prophylaxis) to be mobilized and activated will be based on the PSI Level and pandemic progression into the United States. 

The PSI provides a standard scale for the CDC so, that in the event of a pandemic, a severity level can be assigned to a region and appropriate corresponding preparedness measures can be implemented. As severity levels increase regional governments would, at critical points during a pandemic event, strategically implement interventions such as social distancing, closing schools and voluntary quarantine to optimize domestic preparedness and reduce overall morbidity and mortality.

Because flu season is just around the corner, we wanted to let you know about the steps the UT Health Science Center at Houston has taken to prepare for the upcoming flu season and the possibility of a flu pandemic.

At this time, seasonal flu vaccine supplies and antiviral medications have been ordered by UT Health Services for employees and seasonal flu vaccine supplies have been ordered by the UT Student Health Service and are anticipated to be delivered soon.

University officials are closely monitoring surveillance reports from locations around the world to keep the university community abreast of any global disease outbreak (pandemic) of a novel influenza A virus that causes serious human illness and is easily spread from human to human since people have little to no immunity against the virus.

You may have heard this information before, but experts worry that the overwhelming amount of media about influenza has resulted in “flu fatigue” — a phenomenon that occurs when ongoing news stories are reported without the dramatic occurrence of pandemic over a long period of time. This leaves the public indifferent to the situation and potentially lax in preparation for a possible pandemic flu event. 

The UT health science center’s Pandemic Preparedness Task Force was established in fall 2005 at the request of President James T. Willerson, M.D., and has been holding meetings at regular intervals.

The Task Force has developed a response matrix based on the WHO Phases, the US Government Stages, and the CDC Pandemic Severity Index to ensure the necessary functions of the university are maintained. The matrix is essentially a responsibility chart to help key identified departments understand their roles in pandemic influenza preparedness, response and recovery. 

Institutional components such as Human Resources, IT, Clinical Services, Employee Health and many others, including external response partners such as the Houston and Harris County Health Departments, have assisted in the development of the matrix and participated in several mock pandemic flu outbreak drills to test its effectiveness.   

In the event of a pandemic event, medical resources (including caregivers, vaccines and therapeutic medications) can become overwhelmed quickly.   Current preparedness guidance suggests that decisions concerning the ethical allocation of these resources be a priority, to allow for clarity and transparency to the university and the public community. As a result, the university has developed the following list for prioritization based upon ethical recommendations from pandemic influenza planning advisory committees of the US Department of Health & Human Services.

Distribution priority of stockpiled antiviral medications will follow the following priority scheme:

I. Post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers to delay further spread of infection and prevent collapse of the health care delivery system.
II. Symptomatic treatment of professionals who are essential for saving lives and become ill themselves.
III. Symptomatic treatment of high-risk individuals who are at increased risk for severe disease and death.
IV. Symptomatic younger adults and children.

Vaccination priority (if vaccine is available) will follow the following priority scheme:

I. Health care workers and first responders.
II. Individuals at high risk of severe disease and death.
III. Children and young adults.

And finally, don’t get too tired of all the flu news!  The CDC recommends a few things you can do at home to prepare for a possible pandemic flu:

Plan for a pandemic

  • Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This is also useful in other types of emergencies, such as hurricanes and power outages.
  • Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  • Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
  • Have any non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

Limit the spread of germs and prevent infection

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Use cough etiquette to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
  • Practice social distancing and keep your distance as much as possible from others if they are sick. Stay home from work or school if you are sick.

Contact Environmental Health and Safety, 713-500-8100, for further information.

Helpful links

For more information, please visit the following helpful links:

References

  • WHO Project on Addressing Ethical Issues in Pandemic Influenza Planning.  Equitable Access to Therapeutic and Prophylactic Measures. Geneva 2006. American College of Physicians. The Health Care Response to Pandemic Influenza. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians; 2006: Position Paper.
  • US Department of Health and Human Services.  Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC).  Vaccine Priority Group Recommendations  http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/appendixd.html
  • CDC Pandemic Influenza Planning:  A Guide for Individuals and Families. 2006. 

Date Modified: 07/16/2007