Pandemic Flu Planning - Assignment Example

Pandemic Flu Planning Key Words: Pandemic Influenza, National Incident Management System, Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP)Introduction Undeniably, Flu pandemic entails effective control to ensure it does not extent to uncontrollable and worse level, which is phase 6. Therefore, this calls for effective measures, which include alerting both legal authorities and private sector though the latter due to the fear of incurring losses may end up being reluctant in embracing the proposed policies.

Majority of the private sector entities are business-oriented whereby admitting their workers’ absenteeism is extremely hard, hence, the government ought to compel them. This study outlines varied effective steps, which I deem to be effective in controlling flu pandemic in Virginia (VDEM, 2009). In ensuring effective control, I will recommend the following steps whereby most of them are community-based strategies. The first step will encompass devising effective preparedness, response and containment policies intended to avoid further spreading of the pandemic in the region (Tae-Chang, Yasuhiro, Shingo, & Jung, 2009).

Secondly, I will Isolate and administer antiviral medications to the people confirmed medically to have contracted the influenza disease. Isolation in this case may be in both hospitals and homes though the latter will be extremely complicated due to the pandemic’s nature of spreading (CDCP, 2007). Isolation will also encompass quarantine especially in homes or other social places whereby it hard to dismiss their members like congregational centers that normally house nuns, priests or other religious members.

The other effective measure will encompass closure of schools together with advising their respective administration to take the ailing students to the hospital (Cannaday & Cox, 2008). In addition, there will be a will be a need to sensitize the entire public to avoid human contact as well as embrace good health, for instance, washing of hands with alcohol-based rub gel together with intake of fluids (Flu.gov, n.d). Some of the involved legal authorities in this mitigation process include, Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP), National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management System (NIMS), Virginia Department of Education and governor’s office.

The latte’s core role is to declare the state of emergency based on the pandemic’s rate of spreading as well as compelling reluctant institutions to adhere to the mitigation policies. The success of this plan will depend on public’s level of compliance in adopting the stipulated measures. Entities involved in this category include employers and varied private companies who due to the fear of incurring great losses may be reluctant in admitting absenteeism of their ailing workers. The other factor is the level of preparedness and response by the respective authorities mandated to help in curbing the spread of flu pandemic.

Finally, the effectiveness of carrying out isolation as well as quarantine strategies by some uncooperative institutions may render the entire process being unsuccessful. Conclusion Based on the outlined steps and other mitigation policies relayed above, I am confident this pandemic will not proceed to Phase 6. However, this will entail cooperation of both the public and private sectors irrespective of the losses, which they may incur during the entire process. This is because the above outlined plan is adequate in curbing the spread of the pandemic if at all the stated authorities will effectively adhere to the devised strategies.

References Cannaday, B. K. & Cox, D. H. (2008). Pandemic Influenza Plan Guidelines for Virginia Public Schools. Virginia Department of Education. Retrieved on 11Th August 2013, from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/influenza/pandemic_flu_plan_guide lines.pdf.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDCP. (February 2007). Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States— Early, Targeted, Layered Use of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions. Flu.gov.

Retrieved on 11Th August 2013 from http://www.flu.gov/planning- preparedness/community/community_mitigation.pdfFlu.gov. (n.d). Prevention. Flu.gov. Retrieved http://www.flu.gov/#Tae-Chang, J., Yasuhiro, T., Shingo, I. & Jung, E. (2009). Optimal control strategy for prevention of avian influenza pandemic. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 260(2), pp. 220– 229.Virginia Department of Emergency Management - VDEM. (18Th August 2009). Commonwealth of Virginia Pandemic Influenza Plan. Public Intelligence.

Retrieved on 11Th August 2013, from http://publicintelligence.net/commonwealth-of-virginia-pandemic-influenza- plan/.