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Source: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1307090
Pandemic prevention focus of forum
There is no way to stop an influenza pandemic, but there are ways to prepare for and mitigate its effects, several speakers told people attending the Northumberland County influenza pandemic community forum yesterday.
Basic hand-washing hygiene, or avoiding public places and having sufficient supplies in your home to remain away from other people if you are ill, are among the ways individuals can stop the spread of the flu.
The provincial and federal governments and the World Health Organization are responsible for different aspects handling and preventing a pandemic, from developing plans and protocols to doing surveillance and organizing the development of vaccines, stockpiling anti-viral medication and declaring when such a pandemic takes place, the audience was told.
"It's not a matter if one occurs, but when it does," said Linda Bradshaw, director of ambulatory care at Campbellford Memorial Hospital, which has its own emergency preparedness plan
An Ontario Ministry of Health booklet offers the following advice to ward off the flu:
* Get a flu shot. Even though it won't protect you from a flu pandemic it will protect you from ordinary flu that can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to the pandemic variety;
* Wash your hands with soap thoroughly and frequently;
* Cover your nose and your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
* Stay at home when sick;
* Reduce non-essential travel; and
* Avoid large crowds, where viruses can spread more easily.
o handle an influenza pandemic.
Three such influenza pandemics have struck people around the world in the last 100 years: the Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed between 20 million and 40 million people; the Asian Flu of 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu of 1968.
Once an outbreak begins it "comes in waves of about six weeks (in duration)," said Younous Manjora, emergency preparedness co-ordinator at the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
The time between each wave could be three to nine months, so the pandemic could last one to two years, he said.
About 35% of the population would be affected and the death rate is high, at about 63%, based on numbers from the World Health Organization.
The 2002-03 outbreak of SARS in Ontario and various parts of the world including Hong Kong was a "mini" pandemic, Mr. Manjora said.
Seasonal flu is not an influenza pandemic but an outbreak we experience annually between this time of the year and April, he stressed.
Health officials recommend people with compromised immune systems -- including the elderly, very young and those with chronic diseases -- get the annual flu shot.
Until an influenza outbreak occurs, the specifics, or characteristics, of the virus, required to manufacture the vaccine aren't known, so there won't be any vaccine for the first wave because it takes five or six months to develop the vaccine, Mr. Manjora said.
Anti-viral medication (Relenza) is being stockpiled by the Province of Ontario -- but it will only be available for about 25% of the population, particularly those at risk and working with the public, he said. To be effective it must be taken from the onset of symptoms or even before exposure. It can shorten the illness episode.
Several years ago there was a run on the anti-viral medication Tamiflu. The public can get it over the counter, and it has a shelf live of five years, Mr. Manjora said in an interview.
Non-medical ways of dealing with a global outbreak of influenza include putting people in isolation, issuing quarantine orders and closing schools, day cares, malls and other places where people gather and can facilitate the spread of the flu. While masks can be worn, there is no scientific data to support they would prevent someone from getting the flu, Ms. Bradshaw said.
She had a protective products display on view that included several kinds of masks, gowns, gloves, face coverings and hand disinfecting containers.
Viruses live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, so frequent cleaning and hand washing is important. If you are ill, stay at home so as not to spread flu and if you have to be out in public, avoid contact closer than three feet, people were advised.
About 53% of those affected may need a doctor's care and 1 to 2% will be hospitalized, says Joan Rannie, regional manager of infection prevention and control/pandemic planning with Central East Community Care Access Centre. The Centre provides health care and personal services to about 22,000 clients and a contingency plan is in place to deal with those with the highest priority.
Given that 35% of the population will get ill in an influenza pandemic, it's to be expected each organization and business would be tasked with continuing with fewer people.
Article ID# 1307090
Pandemic prevention focus of forum
There is no way to stop an influenza pandemic, but there are ways to prepare for and mitigate its effects, several speakers told people attending the Northumberland County influenza pandemic community forum yesterday.
Basic hand-washing hygiene, or avoiding public places and having sufficient supplies in your home to remain away from other people if you are ill, are among the ways individuals can stop the spread of the flu.
The provincial and federal governments and the World Health Organization are responsible for different aspects handling and preventing a pandemic, from developing plans and protocols to doing surveillance and organizing the development of vaccines, stockpiling anti-viral medication and declaring when such a pandemic takes place, the audience was told.
"It's not a matter if one occurs, but when it does," said Linda Bradshaw, director of ambulatory care at Campbellford Memorial Hospital, which has its own emergency preparedness plan
An Ontario Ministry of Health booklet offers the following advice to ward off the flu:
* Get a flu shot. Even though it won't protect you from a flu pandemic it will protect you from ordinary flu that can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to the pandemic variety;
* Wash your hands with soap thoroughly and frequently;
* Cover your nose and your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
* Stay at home when sick;
* Reduce non-essential travel; and
* Avoid large crowds, where viruses can spread more easily.
o handle an influenza pandemic.
Three such influenza pandemics have struck people around the world in the last 100 years: the Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed between 20 million and 40 million people; the Asian Flu of 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu of 1968.
Once an outbreak begins it "comes in waves of about six weeks (in duration)," said Younous Manjora, emergency preparedness co-ordinator at the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
The time between each wave could be three to nine months, so the pandemic could last one to two years, he said.
About 35% of the population would be affected and the death rate is high, at about 63%, based on numbers from the World Health Organization.
The 2002-03 outbreak of SARS in Ontario and various parts of the world including Hong Kong was a "mini" pandemic, Mr. Manjora said.
Seasonal flu is not an influenza pandemic but an outbreak we experience annually between this time of the year and April, he stressed.
Health officials recommend people with compromised immune systems -- including the elderly, very young and those with chronic diseases -- get the annual flu shot.
Until an influenza outbreak occurs, the specifics, or characteristics, of the virus, required to manufacture the vaccine aren't known, so there won't be any vaccine for the first wave because it takes five or six months to develop the vaccine, Mr. Manjora said.
Anti-viral medication (Relenza) is being stockpiled by the Province of Ontario -- but it will only be available for about 25% of the population, particularly those at risk and working with the public, he said. To be effective it must be taken from the onset of symptoms or even before exposure. It can shorten the illness episode.
Several years ago there was a run on the anti-viral medication Tamiflu. The public can get it over the counter, and it has a shelf live of five years, Mr. Manjora said in an interview.
Non-medical ways of dealing with a global outbreak of influenza include putting people in isolation, issuing quarantine orders and closing schools, day cares, malls and other places where people gather and can facilitate the spread of the flu. While masks can be worn, there is no scientific data to support they would prevent someone from getting the flu, Ms. Bradshaw said.
She had a protective products display on view that included several kinds of masks, gowns, gloves, face coverings and hand disinfecting containers.
Viruses live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, so frequent cleaning and hand washing is important. If you are ill, stay at home so as not to spread flu and if you have to be out in public, avoid contact closer than three feet, people were advised.
About 53% of those affected may need a doctor's care and 1 to 2% will be hospitalized, says Joan Rannie, regional manager of infection prevention and control/pandemic planning with Central East Community Care Access Centre. The Centre provides health care and personal services to about 22,000 clients and a contingency plan is in place to deal with those with the highest priority.
Given that 35% of the population will get ill in an influenza pandemic, it's to be expected each organization and business would be tasked with continuing with fewer people.
Article ID# 1307090