|
Pandemic Influenza
Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza
This report requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
An
influenza pandemic occurs when a novel and highly contagious strain of the
influenza virus emerges, affecting populations around the world. Historically,
influenza pandemics have occurred every 11-39 years. It has been more than 30
years since the last pandemic. Many experts consider influenza pandemic to be
inevitable, yet no one knows when the next one will occur.
Florida's
geographic and demographic characteristics make it particularly vulnerable to
importation and spread of infectious diseases, including influenza. Nearly one
third of Florida's population resides in urban/suburban areas of 3 southeastern
counties, including large populations of immigrants. Florida's two Interstate
road systems bring in thousands of tourists each year. The two largest of the 13
international airports are in Orlando and Miami; 38,000,000 visitors used air
travel in year 2000.
The
Department of Health has estimated that an influenza pandemic could result in
Florida of up to 10 million persons infected, with 5 million chronically ill. An
estimated 3 million persons may require outpatient care with an additional
71,000 hospitalizations and up to 18,000 deaths. Demands on health care services
under these conditions would overwhelm the states delivery system. Shifts in
human and material resources that are normally executed during other natural
disasters will not be possible since outbreaks are expected to occur
simultaneously throughout much of the U.S.
It
is expected that effective preventive and therapeutic measures - including
vaccines and antiviral agents - will be in short supply, as may some antibiotics
used for treatment of secondary infections. Existing medical facilities may be
quickly overwhelmed, requiring the use of non-traditional medical settings.
Healthcare workers and other first responders will likely be at even higher risk
of exposure and illness than the general population, further impeding the care
of victims. In addition, communications systems are likely to be overwhelmed.
An
influenza pandemic preparedness plan has been developed to ensure that Florida
is prepared to implement an effective response before the next pandemic arrives.
Florida has been participating with a number of other states in an initiative to
develop state influenza pandemic plans, following guidance from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, with funding from the Council for State and
Territorial Epidemiologists. The
purpose of this plan is to provide a guide for the Florida Department of Health
(DOH) and other state and local agencies on detecting and responding to an
influenza pandemic. The plan
describes disease surveillance, emergency management, vaccine delivery,
laboratory and communications activities, as well as how multiple agencies
should work together to respond to such an event.
Related
Links for Pan Flu Planning:
|
