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Comment by Texas HazMat on April 30, 2009 at 4:14pm

You really can't do much except prepare for its arrival. Set up manpower allocations in the event your department is affected.

A little history of the Influenza A virus.

Did you realize that on average the "human influenza" virus In the United States, is estimated to kill 30,000 people in an average year. Every few years, influenza epidemics boost the annual mortality level above this average, causing 10,000–15,000 additional deaths. Occasionally, and unpredictably, global pandemics of influenza occur, infecting 20% to 40% of the population in a single year and raising death rates dramatically above normal levels. Pandemic influenza A viruses emerged three times during the last century: in 1918 (H1N1 subtype), in 1957 (H2N2), and in 1968 (H3N2). The recent circulation of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 viruses in Asia from 2003–2005 has caused at least 52 human deaths and has raised concern about the development of a new pandemic. How and when novel influenza viruses emerge as pandemic strains and their precise mechanisms of pathogenesis are still not understood.

It becomes a hygiene issue. If your sick stay home and away from others. I someone shows up to work sick, send them home. Wash hands routinely and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. You remember the stuff you mom told you?

It still applies.

Gary

Comment by Daniel on April 30, 2009 at 3:35pm

So how would you suggest preparing for then situation?

Comment by Texas HazMat on April 30, 2009 at 1:11pm

This is true but as you can imagine there are so many of us that are still soooooo unprepared.

Thanks for stopping by.

Gary

Comment by Daniel on April 30, 2009 at 12:59pm

Doesnt look like they're telling us much, other than what we should already by doing in the first place. A few new tidbits here and there.