Article published Sept. 21, 2006
Reprinted courtesy of Fosters Daily Democrat, Dover, NH
By MICHAEL GOOT
Portsmouth Bureau Chief
mgoot@fosters.com
PORTSMOUTH — No need to panic, but the state and its local businesses should take simple steps to prepare for the potential outbreak of avian flu.
"If you don't have a plan to deal with this situation, you lose. It's that simple," said Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen said to a group of 50 business people at the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce's breakfast held at the Frank Jones Center on Wednesday
Stephen said right now there has not been any significant cases of bird flu being spread from human to human, but that does not mean the state or local businesses can be complacent. "There's going to be a pandemic at some point. It may not be tomorrow, next week or next year," he said.
All it takes for a pandemic of the avian flu to occur is one person giving it another and so on, Stephen said.
He said between 20-40 million people worldwide were killed during the outbreak of Spanish flu in 1918-19. The flu "killed more people in 25 weeks than the HIV/AIDS virus has killed in 25 years. That's how serious it is. That's why we're so concerned," he said.
About 55 percent of the people have died in the roughly 200 human cases of avian flu. There is no "magic bullet" vaccine and it would be a year or two before one is actually available because researchers have yet to identify what the actual flu strain looks like.
Businesses have to prepare for a contingency where 30-40 percent is out sick. They may also need backup suppliers and contingency operation plans. Common-sense ideas are to cross-train employees, use good hand sanitizers and ask sick employees to stay home. Employers should see if employees can work different shifts. Companies should develop plans and practice them.
The state is also conducting tabletop exercises and drills. Earlier this year, it was the first state in the nation to hold an influenza pandemic drill.
Epidemiologist Jose Montero said state officials are trying to stay on top of this dynamic situation. "We don't have all the facts," he said.
Montero said the state's efforts are focusing on community containment, management of vaccines and medical services.
Even things as simple as remembering to cover their cough are important, Montero said. Also, state officials are grappling with what to do with schools if they have to be closed.
Montero said the state would have the difficult decision to distribute a limited amount of vaccine doses.
The state is also working on a way to add capacity because hospitals will likely be filled. It could perhaps set up alternative centers.
Don Albertson, director of emergency medicine, said the hospital is working on various plans to see how it would function with half or one-third of the staff out sick. Among the strategies would be to ramp up the staff, open a wing of the hospital in a local motel or school and bring in some retired nursing staff.
"There's some evidence that the new evolving strains of this virus may be resistant to every one of these drugs," he said.
Mary Ann Cooney, director of public health services, said some tips call for businesses to use videoconferencing instead of traveling, cross-training the workforce, increase telecommunications capacity, make alternative arrangements with key vendors and address absentee policies.
Portsmouth Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire said the city worked extensive on a small pox plan and has been able to adapt that for avian flu. He has an all-hazards plan. It has also created a public health coordinator position that can serve as a kind "clearing house."