Kristin Moyer

Rick DeLotto here… H1N1 reached World Health Organization Pandemic status on June 11, 2009, meaning that it is firmly established worldwide.  To date, this appears to be are relatively mild influenza strain in the developed world, with nearly 30,000 infections and 144 deaths officially reported in 74 countries.

 Unlike seasonal influenza outbreaks, which are most dangerous to the frail and elderly, the majority of H1N1 victims are under the age of 25 years.  A small number of people infected (2%) develop severe illness and life-threatening pneumonia. Half to two thirds cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years, key contributors to the work force.   Though many had preexisting conditions such as respiratory diseases, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and obesity, from a third to half, though of severe and fatal infections were in “previously healthy” young and middle aged people.  Stress levels are likely to be, and remain high.

 This is a good time to quietly and cheerfully check the status of your pandemic preparations– and even less reason to panic than usual.    The financial services industries were leaders in pandemic preparedness… but it never hurts to check, test and train–that is how one stays a leader.

• Things being as they are in the industry, the chances are very good that your team, partners and critical suppliers have had some staff-turnover or reductions.  Clearly identify and notify HR of IT staff with critical skills that must be retained during reductions in workforce if the bank expects to be able to operate or reopen after a disaster or during an influenza outbreak.   Make sure that policies and preparations for employees to work from home have not been rescinded since the flu crisis was “over”.
• Review existing BCM/DR and contingency plans to ensure that they are up to date from a personnel and supplier perspective.  Are your existing operations and emergency plans fully documented and able to be executed under new management and staffing if necessary? 
• Are sanitary supplies—such as hand sanitizer, tissues and masks available and in good supply?  What about your emergency supplies?  What about medical resources nearby the branch or office for workers who become sick at work?  Many of these may have been closed, or their hours curtailed, recently for financial reasons.
•  The WHO is concerned about the spread of H1N1 to less developed countries be certain that any outsourcers located there have at least met your agreed BCM/DR standards, and any special pandemic requirements of their local governments.  Are preparations still in place to repatriate overseas or traveling staff rapidly if conditions deteriorate?

The promotion to Phase 6 was expected, and is in itself unlikley to affect operations.  Keep an eye on pandemicflu.gov and Gartner’s own pandemic coverage for updates.

..and wash your hands, of course.

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Category: Customer Executive Decisions insurance operations payments     Tags: banking and investment services, BCM DR, contingency planning, Pandemic

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