The nation is preparing for a pandemic - are you?

Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says that, "Pandemics are global in nature, but their impact is local. When the next pandemic strikes, as it surely will, it is likely to touch the lives of every individual, family and community. Our task is to make sure that when this happens, we will be a nation prepared."

In May of this year, President George W. Bush spoke about preparations for the predicted pandemic. He said, "… perhaps most important, addressing the challenge will require active participation by individual citizens in each community across our nation."

His was a call to action that was largely ignored.

Should a pandemic occur, its effects will be lessened by proper planning and preparation that will create in Sisters area residents peace of mind and confidence to deal with the situation at hand.

Since a pandemic will touch every aspect of society, every part of society must begin to prepare, especially individuals. The government will not be able to do everything that is necessary to assist (See related article, page 15).

Following are some challenges that could evolve in a severe pandemic and some possible ways to address them.

• Plan for the possibility that usual social services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices and post offices. Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available. The Federal Government recommends that a three month supply of prescription medications are kept on hand.

• Consider that the ability to travel may be limited, especially if there are fuel shortages. Families should discuss where family members and loved ones will go in an emergency and how they will receive care, in the event that normal communication is not possible. During a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shutdown of local ATMs and banks. Families are advised by the Federal Government to keep on hand a small amount of cash or traveler's checks in small denominations.

• A normal work schedule may be impossible. Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if a family member is unable to work or the place of employment is closed. Sisters area business owners and managers need to think about what information their employees will need. This may include information about insurance, leave policies, working from home, possible loss of income and when not to come to work if sick. A Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist is available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html.

• Stock a supply of both water and food. During a pandemic, it may not be possible to get to a store. Even if it is possible to get to a store, the store may be out of supplies. Public services may also be interrupted. Stocking supplies can also be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages. Store foods that are nonperishable and that are easy to prepare in the event cooking is difficult. Food that requires little or no water, so that water can be conserved for drinking, is a good idea.

• Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit. Wash hands frequently with soap and water and cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Properly dispose of used tissues and cough or sneeze into your elbow if a tissue is not available. Clean hands after coughing or sneezing using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner. And above all, stay away from others when sick.

• When a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical. Tune into local radio and television stations and visit Web sites such as http://www.nuggetnews.com to get reliable and up-to-the-minute information about the situation at hand. Another source for news about pandemic influenza is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-232-4636. This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. National information is also available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov.

• Although there is no immediate threat of a pandemic in Sisters, preparation should begin now to be able to effectively respond to these challenges should they occur. The best way to counteract an influenza pandemic is to have a workable plan of action to curtail its spread.

Last May, President George W. Bush made an ominous announcement: "While the Federal Government will use all resources at its disposal to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic, it cannot do the job alone. This effort requires the full participation of and coordination by all levels of government and all segments of society."

The State of Oregon has already begun preparations for a pandemic in the Sisters public school system (see "Sisters Schools prepares for pandemic threat," The Nugget, November 7, page 3).

Funding for pandemic planning activities in Oregon has been provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the amount of $1,366,765. Oregon will receive an additional $2,881,187 from HHS for revised phase two local and state allocations. The amount of funding Oregon is receiving is based on a formula adjusted for population.

Governor Ted Kulongoski says, "Today's preparations can and will determine tomorrow's outcomes. It is not in our interest to alarm anyone, but we do want people to know what to do in case there is an outbreak of the flu."

However, the Governor cautions, "My goal is to ensure that every Oregon citizen, every business, every non-profit organization and every school is ready for a pandemic outbreak. … It is not enough to have good plans in place, because plans do not respond - people respond."

On November 1 of this year, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) released the updated 208-page state plan that provides the guidelines for response and outlines responsibilities for various governmental and nongovernmental agencies. The Oregon plan can be downloaded from: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/flu/oregonfluplan.pdf.

The latest 2006 version of the Oregon Pandemic Influenza Plan builds on an effort that began in 2001. The detailed federal Health and Human Services plan released in November 2005 and the steady spread of a new type of severe influenza in birds (H5N1) prompted the expansion and revision of the newest Oregon plan.

The ODHS plan assumes a "moderate" scenario and makes a number of assumptions about the pandemic threat. It estimates that approximately 35 percent of the population will become ill and that outbreaks will occur in one or more waves, each lasting six or more weeks in a given community.

The ODHS also believes that concurrent outbreaks will limit mutual aid between communities and states and that 12,000 individuals will require hospitalization within Oregon. ODHS also projects a death toll of nearly 3000 based upon the assumed "moderate" scenario. It is believed that an effective vaccine will not be available at the onset of a pandemic and the capacity of the health care system will be degraded by illness among health care workers and shortages of essential supplies.

When a pandemic occurs, the Oregon State Public Health Division (OSPHD) is tasked with taking the lead role and will operate under a National Incident Management System in collaboration with Oregon's 34 local health departments, as well as the American Indian tribal jurisdictions within the state.

Timely and consistent information will be provided for the public, hospitals, health care providers and other partners through a Joint Information Center. The OSPHD and local health departments will support hospitals and health care providers in their efforts to provide essential routine care, as well as the additional emergency care needed during a pandemic. The Deschutes County Health Department will provide local information to Sisters residents by calling 322-7418.

During the Pandemic Alert period surveillance will focus on laboratory detection of cases and intensive follow-up of exposed contacts; during the pandemic period itself, efforts will emphasize tracking of deaths and hospitalizations to determine those groups of people at greatest risk for severe outcome.

The OSPHD and local health departments will support hospitals and health care systems in their efforts to provide essential routine care, as well as the additional emergency care needed in a pandemic. Early in a pandemic, OSPHD will take the lead in receiving, storing and staging antiviral drugs and other medical supplies from the federal Strategic National Stockpile to be distributed to hospitals, clinics and local health departments.

The same mechanisms will be used to distribute vaccine when it becomes available. Meanwhile OSPHD will endeavor to coordinate the consistent and rational use of community control measures, such as school closures throughout local, state, tribal and federal jurisdictions, as necessary. These efforts will emphasize the use of well-reasoned voluntary measures by enlisting the cooperation of the public.

Finally, the importance of maintaining a functioning community is essential. Addressing the emotional needs of those responding to and affected by the pandemic cannot be over-emphasized. The ability to provide essential services across the state will help to minimize the impact of a pandemic to individuals (See related article, page 10).