Roberta J. WittyEVENT: As of approximately 4:00 PM today the following alert was sent around the world:
29 April 2009 — Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5.
Dr. Chan also advised: “All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans.”
Analysis:
Right now there appears to be two major categories of clients:
- those with a completed pandemic readiness plans
- those without such a plan.
For those with a plan we are recommending the following steps:
1. Re-establish with CEO/board what level of business activity they expect to occur during a pandemic.
2. Begin training employees now on how to Deal With A/H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and tell them how to prepare their families
3. Assign an individual to resolve ALL enterprise influenza-related business continuity needs
4. Immediately assess your business continuity preparedness plans for completeness. Fill gaps as a matter of highest priority.
5. Recommend executives identify the most-critical employees needed
6. Directly oversee installation of alternative broadband services to homes of the most-critical employees
7. Prepare for network outages. (e.g., satellite phones, couriers).
8. Negotiate preferential terms With a web audio/videoconferencing provider
9. Make web conferencing available to clients, suppliers and employees
10. Obtain and evaluate written copies of vendors’ influenza response plans
We are weighing the options viably available to those who have precisely no readiness plans and will publish those recommendations shortly.
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