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A pandemic is an outbreak, or epidemic, of a disease that affects the entire world population. Pandemic influenza (flu) can be caused by a number of different viruses. Influenza pandemics are recurring events that have typically occurred every 10 to 50 years throughout recorded history. The term pandemic refers to how far reaching the influenza has spread, not its lethality.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), once a human pandemic begins, it is expected to encircle the globe within three months. Because the virus would be a new strain, the majority of the population would have no protection against it. While the race would be on to manufacture and stockpile antiviral drugs, worldwide availability is low, and there is evidence that influenza viruses can be resistant to this treatment.
A flu pandemic could cripple your business if you are not prepared. Government officials advise that businesses prepare for 30 to 40 percent absenteeism.
While there are no regulatory requirements tied directly to pandemic flu, employers may use a combination of control measures to protect employees and customers:
To reduce the impact of a pandemic on your operations, employees, customers, and the general public, it is also important (but not required) for all businesses and organizations to develop some kind of pandemic flu preparedness plan.