Ottawa County Businesses- H1N1 Influenza Information

Communicable Disease can have a very real disruptive effect on business operations and as such should be taken seriously. Business managers must ask themselves how they will operate if communicable diseases such as the H1N1(swine) influenza become a very real public health emergency. For example how will your business function if you experience:

·        loss of suppliers

·        excessive absenteeism in supervisory or general workforce

·        how long should an employee be off work with a communicable disease

·        long waits for getting an appointment to see a physician (do your work rules require employees present a medical release before returning to work?)

These and many other issues require careful consideration especially in a significant communicable disease event. All companies must develop a plan that examines current work rules, business practices and supply chain issues and asks important questions such as how would shortages in workforce and material supply affect our ability to serve our customers. Then look for alternatives to include in your plan to use in the event a communicable disease public health emergency occurs.  

Wash Hands

Cover Cough

Stay home when ill

Get vaccinated

Seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 flu vaccine.

Public health officials agree that immunizations will contain the spread of both flus, minimizing the number of people who become ill, are hospitalized and die.

General H1N1(swine) Influenza Information:

Center for Disease Control (CDC)  H1N1 FAQ

 Business H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Planning/Preparation Resources:

The Aon Corporation web site offers Six Essential Steps to Mitigate Potential Business Impact of H1N1 Swine Influenza  Visit their web site to read their advice at: http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1549

CDC Businesses and Employer Guidance 

Businesses and Employer Planning Tools:

In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses and other employers will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, having a contingency plan is essential.

Community strategies that delay or reduce the impact of a pandemic (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may help reduce the spread of disease until a vaccine is available.

HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed guidelines, including checklists, to assist businesses, industries, and other employers in planning for a pandemic outbreak as well as for other comparable catastrophes. All of the following list of checklists and letters are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/

Checklists and Letters

Law Enforcement

Correctional Facilities

Businesses Pandemic Influenza Checklist

Long Term Care and Other Residential Facilities Pandemic Influenza Checklist

Health Insurer Pandemic Influenza Checklist

Travel Industry Pandemic Influenza Checklist

Hospital Pandemic Influenza Checklist