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Pandemic flu – be prepared The world is closer to a global outbreak of pandemic flu than at any time since 1968, the World Health Organisation has warned. The heightened level of risk relates to the widespread occurrence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza (“bird flu”) amongst domestic birds in parts of Asia and Africa. Since 2004, hundreds of people who have had close contact with infected birds have contracted H5N1. Just over 60% have died. Health authorities fear that this deadly strain of influenza could gain the ability to pass easily from human to human, causing a global outbreak of pandemic flu comparable to the “Spanish flu” of 1918 – 1919, which killed tens of millions of people. During a pandemic, infection could spread rapidly through workplaces and other places that people gather. Businesses may face decreased consumer confidence, disruption to supplies and essential services, and absenteeism as high as 50 per cent. The Australian Government is encouraging advanced preparation by private and public sector organisations to minimise trisk to staff and manage disruption that would occur during a pandemic. Ensuring access to adequate supplies prior to the occurrence of pandemic flu is an important part of pandemic preparedness. > Find out how your business can prepare for pandemic flu here. Access to antivirals and vaccines Many governments have established stockpiles of antiviral drugs and made agreements with suppliers of a future pandemic flu vaccine. Because a specific vaccine cannot be developed until pandemic flu occurs, effective vaccines are unlikely to be available to everyone during the early stages of a pandemic. The need to protect health care and essential service workers also means that the most organisations cannot rely on access to government antiviral stockpiles to protect their staff during a widespread pandemic. About this site This website has been developed by ProVax Pty Ltd, a specialist vaccination service with over seven years experience in the prevention of infectious disease in the community. Pandemic.org.au is designed to help your organisation to prepare for and minimise the impact of pandemic flu on your organisation and staff. > Find out more about ProVax’s services here.  
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