August 2009
Pandemic Influenza Alert
Hung Cheung, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Sherry Sood, MD, MPH
Dr. Cheung/ OEM Advisor, LLC.
(888) 361-8882
panflu@drcheung-oemadvisor.com
We have received many calls over the last several weeks concerning the upcoming flu season and more specifically H1N1. There appears to be much confusion as well as concern about this issue. Our team has put together the attached H1N1 educational alert to help clarify the current understanding and why public health officials are concerned. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or forward the attachment to those who may have questions about H1N1. We will monitor the situation and will have periodic updates for you. They will also be posted on our web site under the “In the News” tab. We hope this helps as we strive to be your environmental, occupational and public health resource.
How can I protect my business from potential losses sustained from this pandemic virus?
As a business owner and employer you are in a position not only to contain the spread of this virus within your business but also to spread the virus to your family and to the community. It is important to proactively monitor WHO and CDC websites as well as measures recommended in the Pandemic Severity Index. Once you are familiar, drafting a stepwise plan for your employees based on categorization of the pandemic will empower you and your employees to continue working from home when feasible. For example, this plan may include setting up a service in advance that will allow teleconferences for essential meetings, implementing a liberal sick leave policy with accountability or third party validation, and delineating essential and nonessential staff to minimize exposure among all staff. A quality Occupational & Environmental consultant can assist you with the mission of protecting your employees while effectively operating your business.
Many governmental organizations have web site informational updates on H1N1, including the local health department, the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO). You can also subscribe to e-mail alert provided by Dr. Cheung/ OEM Advisor, LLC, by sending an e-mail to panflu@drcheung-oemadvisor.com. Your name will automatically be added to the emailing updates on H1N1.
While we all hope that a deleterious mutation does not happen, it is wise to have a plan in place in case the virus turns aggressive and extreme public health measures become necessary.
Disclaimer: This message is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate to your individual situation. As the science and knowledge is rapidly evolving, you should monitor the various available resources noted above to keep you updated. Please contact your occupational medicine or public health professionals to assist with a customized plan for your workplace or your community.