The Situation and the Outbreak on an Influenza Pandemic - Research Paper Example

? Influenza Pandemic Module 2: Identification and discussion of plans or policy strengths Influenza is a communicable and contagious disease and is easily transmitted via contact with an infected person, or by merely being in the presence of their bodily fluids, which are dispersed in the form of aerosols, such as saliva droplets resulting from coughing or sneezing. As discussed in the earlier article, the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed the Influenza Pandemic Operation Plan (OPLAN). Additionally the WHO has similar modality of approaching Influenza and taking preventive and corrective measures. Mission statement of the CDC states that it will immediately detect the onset of outbreaks with pandemic potential, assist with the containment of such outbreaks, delay the introduction and transmission of pandemic viruses in the United States and assist health authorities in their management of an influenza pandemic within the bounds of U. S. Constitutional and statutory authority. In September 2006, the WHO released a well thought of action plan, to increase the synthetic production of the pandemic influenza vaccine. The plan thus ensures that there is a steady supply of the requisite vaccines, which amounts to approximately 565 million doses per year, as vaccination is by far one of the most effective methods to control Influenza. The other major goals of the WHO and the CDC are to develop regional and national plans for seasonal influenza vaccination programs, to mobilize resources for the implementation of these programs, to increase the capacity and immunogenicity properties for inactivated influenza vaccines against H5N1 and other strains, to build new production facilities in developing nations and to conduct and evaluate clinical trials based periodically to assess the efficacy and adverse reactions and thereby improve vaccine performance. When the Director of the CDC directs the agency to go from the Alert mode to the Respond operational mode, the logistics and Finance/Procurement Sections of the CDC are completely in charge of coordinating and ensuring a smooth running of protocols. During a period of a non-emergency, this responsibility is entrusted upon the coordinating offices and centers, with the logistics support team providing assistance as required. The tasking operations are organized by phases. In the first phase, the support team is primarily entrusted with regulatory affairs in the rapid procurement of pharmaceuticals or surgical materials. They have to periodically ensure the medical evacuation thresholds and provide deployment support to cover transport coordination and equipment issue. Regular correspondence with the office of health and safety to ensure medical evacuation thresholds and procedures is a critical function. The second phase is the respond mode, in which, these planned protocols are actually put to use. It involves coordination with the external transportation offices to procure supplies and support, including emergency deployments by using the CDC aircraft, if deemed necessary. In addition to these phases, a non-pharmacological strategy is frequently resorted to by the CDC, which is essentially based on social distancing and isolation. Depending on the severity of illness, quarantining the patient, along with prophylactic antivirals is an easy and effective approach. Closure of schools, public places, childcare facilities and places of community and religious mixing could also significantly increase the chances of controlling the epidemic. Education on basic hygiene such as cough and sneeze etiquettes, hand-washing procedures and the use of surgical masks are excellent and effective resources. (Bartlett, 2008) Effectiveness and outcomes: Although the described policies look good on paper, in order to implement them successfully, a constant endeavor to improve must be sought. This essentially is in the form of advanced and rigorous pharmaceutical research. Stockpiling of Oseltamivir and Zanamivir, which are the two most commonly used antivirals in the US population, has now ensured a steady and adequate supply of the vaccine. Funding for new drug development is facilitated by the CDC, in order to discover novel methods for combating the virus by novel pharmacological means. A combination of the above would provide sufficient extended prophylactic care in select populations who are prone to the pandemic. Till date, there are no satisfactory diagnostic kits available to detect avian flu at the point of care. An ideal diagnostic procedure should be readily and globally available, easy to use and provide rapid screening results. (CDC Influenza Pandemic Operation Plan Booklet) The task force respects the national guidelines laid out by the state, with respect to antiviral and vaccine distribution, but the current scenario is such that each of the 50 states in the United States have their individually tailored guidelines and operating procedures in the event of a pandemic. A central authority governing the nationwide operations would be a more pragmatic approach to handling the situation. Concept of Operations: What has been observed is that the CDC will initially most likely experience the same morbidity, mortality, and absentee rates as the general population at the onset of the pandemic. Once a vaccine is developed, as a result of this attack, the key CDC employees will be among the first few to get vaccinated with the initial batches of influenza vaccine. From the commencement of the influenza pandemic to the time of availability of the influenza vaccine, CDC will face the same personnel and facility recovery challenges as other organizations throughout the United States such as the WHO. The CDC recovery operations are targeted at identifying the organizational functions that are key and essential to be performed throughout the pandemic period, and employees are assigned accordingly to support these key and essential functions. They are cross-trained to perform one or more jobs in support of these functions, especially those employees who have recovered from the pandemic influenza, which confers on them acquired immunity to the subsequent strains of the virus. (Jennings, Monto 2008) Hence, this multidisciplinary approach will ensure that the nation is well prepared for the outbreak on an Influenza pandemic, and the guidelines and procedures laid down will help in smoothly controlling the situation and combatting the outbreak. References: Bartlett, J., and Borio, L. (2008). The Current Status of Planning for Pandemic Influenza and Implications for Health Care Planning in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2008, 46, 919–925. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008). CDC Influenza Pandemic Operation Plan (OPLAN). Retrieved from:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/cdcplan.htm://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/cdcplan.htm Jennings, L., and Monto, A. (2008). Stockpiling prepandemic influenza vaccines: A new cornerstone of pandemic preparedness plans. Lancet Infect Dis 2008; 8, 650-658 Read More