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Emergency Services Newsletter - Southeastern, PA |
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Pandemic
Flu Preparedness It’s
impossible to read or watch the news these days and not hear about
pandemic flu. Scientists, skeptics and even the major television
networks all have something to say about the potential pandemic. In the
midst of all this discussion, the American Red Cross, like many other
organizations and government entities, is busy planning for its role in
this crisis--both preparedness and response--should the pandemic flu hit
the U.S. What
is pandemic flu? Many
people use the terms avian flu and pandemic flu interchangeably. However
there is a difference between the two. According to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), avian flu is a naturally occurring strain of the
influenza virus that attacks wild birds. There are a number of
sub-strands of the virus that have developed, which include a virus
known as H5N1. The H5N1 variant is deadly to
domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no
human immunity, and no vaccine is available. Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak,
or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural
immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Experts and health officials fear that should H5N1 mutate from its
current form, the strand could then be passed from human to human, and
cause a pandemic. What is
the role of the Red Cross?
National Headquarters has determined that the Red Cross will have two
main roles in the event of a pandemic. The first is public education and awareness. The overall aim of this
campaign is to promote preparedness among individuals, families,
communities and other social networks. People must personalize their
risk, accept responsibility and take action to reduce the possibility of
influenza infection and transmission. The Red Cross will host workshops
and provide materials highlighting basic preparedness and protection
techniques. The second role involves the response of the Red Cross during a
pandemic. Our organization will manage the activities of feeding and
bulk distribution. In the event of a pandemic, the Red Cross will not be
responsible for setting up shelters. Chapters will work to complement
the efforts and actions of local emergency management groups, and our
response delivery will be adapted depending on the conditions. For
example, the Red Cross may advertise a common drop-off point for
supplies or take on the responsibility of feeding emergency workers at a
particular site. There will be many precautions taken to prevent the
spread of the flu or contamination of any resources. What can
you do? Be prepared.
Establish family plans, stock up on supplies, talk to your employer and
stay connected with reliable information. The US
Department of Health and Human Services has a website dedicated to
Pandemic flu (www.pandemicflu.org).
The following “Pandemic Flu Planning
Checklist for Individuals and Families” can
be found at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/Individuals.pdf
For
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): http://www.redcross-philly.org/NewsEvents/PressRoom/documents/pandemic_flu_faq.pdf In
addition, as a member of the Red Cross team, you are our voice in the
community. Please relay this information to family, friends and even
strangers so that the American public is informed about what to expect
from the Red Cross. Red
Cross planning will evolve along with developments related to a
potential flu. “As with many emerging public health or bio-terrorism
threats, the national dialogue will continue and planning will evolve as
scientists learn more and medical facts become available,” reads a
statement from National Headquarters’ Preparedness and Response
Department. “We will continue to revisit, update and refine our
national guidance based on the most current findings available and in
coordination with our federal partners.”
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