Wayzata, MN (PRWEB) June 7, 2006 -- CO2 Partners, LLC, an organizational leadership consulting business, in partnership with The Business Development Group, has released a free briefing for businesses and organization to become better informed about the Avian Flu and how they can prepare themselves.
"Flu pandemics are like earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis, they occur. There's going to be another one. There have been ten in the last 300 years. It's important to understand that when you´re preparing for pandemic influenza, you're preparing for something that will happen....(H5N1) is the most powerful influenza virus we've seen in modern human history." --Dr. Michael Osterholm
Dr. Osterholm is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), associate director of the Department of Homeland Security's National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), and professor in the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota. He is also a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences. In June 2005 Dr. Osterholm was appointed by Michael Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the newly established National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity.
It is estimated that only 18% of all U.S. companies have any plans in place to meet the issues of an outbreak of the Avian Flu as it relates to a human pandemic influenza or fear of a pandemic. If the Avian Flu gets to the U.S. it may well have only a minor impact to the stakeholders. If however, it mutates into a human pandemic influenza, the economy could easily become paralyzed. People would isolate themselves in their homes, thus stop going to work, school and public venues. Unemployment insurance and government support services would be difficult if not impossible to access. As time continued banking, food supplies, the Internet and phone services would become disrupted. It is estimated a pandemic could cause up to 30% of all small businesses to go into bankruptcy. Referring back to the nightmare results of Katrina, as an example, it is easy to predict that the number could easily go higher.
An AI outbreak in the U.S. will have little impact on most individuals. In contrast, however, a human epidemic in the U.S. or even overseas would impact a greater number and create fear and disruptions on a global basis. A pandemic could be biblical in global devastation. It would impact the U.S. military, police and other security aspects of daily life. Few if anyone would not be touched by death and sickness.
- 57% of Americans reported concern about the spread of Avian Flu.
- 15% said they were very concerned
- 20% believe they or a relative will get the Avian Flu.
- 75% said they would avoid travel.
- 71% said they would avoid public events
Current government recommendations for families and business suggest the stockpile of critical supplies before a human pandemic occurs. It is estimated that these supplies should last from 3 weeks to 3 months and depend on the impact to the logistics of a community. Companies should create work at home plans and provide key employees with "Flu Kits" as preparation for the contingency that the virus migrates into a human transmittable strain. A pandemic event could last 12 to 18 months.
At the time of this writing, no human AI-related pandemic virus has been identified. The U.S. food supply remains safe and world health agencies are working to control this aggressive bird-related disease that has been in existence for centuries if not longer. But that could all change if this virus mutates. And many elite scientists believe it's not just a matter of if, but when.
Peter Lytle's "Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Influenza Briefing" is a terrific first step toward preparing yourself and your organization for an outbreak of Avian Flu. In this educational presentation, you will be given:
- A clear, simple primer about the Avian Flu (AI), its impact on animal populations, and the potential impact on humans
- A government/industry report card on preparedness-both for controlling AI in poultry and a potential human pandemic
To learn more about how to obtain this free 87 page PowerPoint brief and reference sources for statistical information visit us at http://www.co2partners.com/letter.htm and please send others to our site to benefit from this critical information.
Family and individual plans are available from the CDC and can be accessed on their website: www.pandemicflu.gov/.
Other planning support can be accessed through The Center for Infectious Disease, Research & Policy (CIDRAP) www.cidrap.umn.edu/.
Press Contact: Gary Cohen
Company Name: CO2 PARTNERS
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 888-735-2710
Website: http://www.co2partners.com
More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/6/prweb394780.htm