1st Edition

Pandemic Influenza Emergency Planning and Community Preparedness

Edited By Jeffrey R. Ryan Copyright 2009
    276 Pages 51 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The swine flu emergency needn’t become a crisis. This critically acclaimed work provides public health officials, doctors, responders, and emergency planners with accurate current information that will help them understand the nature of an outbreak, assess risk, answer public concerns, and develop informed strategies.

    Devoid of sensationalism and agenda, this CRC Press resource provides all the information needed to understand pandemic influenzas including, avian, swine, and human variations and outlines the steps needed to develop and implement prevention, stabilization, and recovery efforts as needed at the local level.

    "... an amazing resource ... Dr. Ryan has assembled some of the best experts in the field to guide you in understanding the threat of pandemic influenza and how it can affect you and the people you are responsible for. ..."  --From the foreword by Lynn A. Slepski, Captain, United States Public Health Service

    Make certain your response to Swine Flu is proactive and informed

    Edited by Jeffrey Ryan, Institute for Emergency Preparedness, this volume —

    • Arms planners and responders with guidance from 13 leading experts
    • Takes lessons from past pandemics
    • Covers biological and clinical aspects of influenza
    • Discusses pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures
    • Details response actions related to communication, travel, and quarantine

    While the swine flu outbreak has impacted Mexico; influenza has no respect for boundaries and is already being felt up north. Despite warnings from the World Health Organization, our preparedness continues to lag. Part of the problem is that the real action must occur at the local level. Triage, care, and containment, along with maintenance of infrastructure, are functions that must be carried out by local planners and responders.

    The first section reviews the history of pandemics. The middle chapters examine the biology of a virus and clinical aspects of influenza. The final chapters examine international and federal programs and discuss response at the local level, including service continuation planning and fatality management.

    Defining the Threat of Influenza
    Past Pandemics and Their Outcome, J.R. Ryan, PhD
    Disease Dynamics
    The Black Death
    Cholera
    Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
    Influenza Pandemics
    Factors Contributing to a Pandemic
    Conclusion
    The Spanish Flu of 1918,L.M. Olson, EdD
    The Genesis
    The Second Wave 
    The Unforgettable Outcome
    Natural History of Influenza
    Biology of the Virus, J.R. Ryan, PhD
    Introduction
    Types of Influenza Virus and Their Characteristics
    Influenza at the Molecular Level
    Genetic Mutation and Antigenic Variation
    Pandemic Potentialities
    Conclusion
    Clinical Aspects of Influenza, A.W. Kirchner, MD
    Introduction
    Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza
    Differential Diagnosis
    Common Complications of Influenza
    Avian Influenza Infection in Humans:  Implications for the Coming Pandemic
    Prevention of Influenza
    Treatment of Influenza
    Conclusion
    Avian Influenza, J.C. Wright, DVM, PhD, K.E. Nusbaum, DVM, PhD, and J.G.W. Wenzel, DVM, PhD
    Introduction
    Influenza and Animal Health
    Examples that Matter
    Implications for Human Health
    Containing the Contagion
    Defining the Response
    International, Federal Programs and Assets, J.T. Cash, PhD, RN, COI, CHS, MEP and M.G. Lavender, RN, MSN, DSN
    Introduction
    Federal Programs and Assets
    National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
    HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan
    Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 21
    International Programs and Assets
    Global Preparedness and Response
    Summary
    Defining the Response at the Local Level, J.R. Ryan, PhD and J.F. Glarum, EMT-P
    Introduction
    Pre-Incident Planning
    Establishing Trigger Points
    Pandemic Preparedness and Public Health
    Nonpharmaceutical Measures
    Risk Communications
    Conclusion
    Service Continuation Planning for Business, O. Grady-Erickson, BA
    Introduction
    Continuity Planning for Business
    The Planning Cycle
    Prioritization of Services
    Development of a Pandemic Influenza Committee
    Development of a Communications Plan
    Human Resource Policies to be Implemented During a Pandemic
    Conclusion
    Fatality Management,L.J. Hardin, MFS and J.P. Ahrens, MPA
    Introduction
    Myths Surrounding Fatality Management
    Facts Bearing on Fatality Management
    Planning Considerations
    Identifying Roles for a Mass Fatality Incident
    Death Management Practices and Possible Surge Solutions
    Conclusion
    Epilogue: Putting it All Together,J.R. Ryan, PhD and J.F. Glarum, EMT-P
    Introduction
    Expectations and Responsibilities
    Stakeholders
    Conclusion

    Biography

    Jeffrey R. Ryan

    No one is immune to the potential devastation of a mass pandemic influenza outbreak, yet despite recent small outbreaks and dire warnings from the WHO that such an event is imminent and overdue, our readiness continues to lag. … This collection aims to introduce readers to the most critical global and domestic issues regarding a potential pandemic. Featuring the contributions of thirteen experts, the volume helps planners and responders with an understanding of outbreak containment and response planning, providing a detailed analysis of our present capabilities and potential weaknesses. The first section reviews the history of pandemics and discusses the deadly 1918 Spanish flu. The middle chapters examine the biology of the virus and the clinical aspects of influenza, with special attention given to avian flu. The final chapters examine international and federal programs and discuss response at the local level, including service continuation planning and fatality management. Public health and emergency preparedness professionals, as well as policymakers at all levels, will find a wealth of relevant information that will let them figure out their priorities and allocate the proper resources to mitigate the damages of a pandemic influenza.
    Abstracts of Public Administration, Development, and Environment (APADE), Fall 2010

    This helpful, concise volume covers all the basics of pandemic preparedness. Written by emergency management professionals (from agencies like the US Public Health Service, FEMA, and state health departments) who know the nuts and bolts of disaster response, it will be useful to a wide range of planners, whether they work in public services or are formulating business operations plans . . . The graphs, photos, glossaries, resource lists, and tables—on everything from the facilities involved in poultry population to vaccine priority groups to guidelines for certifying deaths and strong bodies—make this a hand manual for both emergency management professionals and laypeople.
    —K.H. Jacobsen, George Mason University, in Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Vol. 46, No. 10, June 2009

    ... targeted primarily at public health planners involved in preparing community responses to the next influenza pandemic. However, this book also serves as a good reference to many aspects of pandemic influenza, providing a historical perspective as well as up-to-date information in the field of molecular virology. ... a very interesting book that covers some of the less documented and less understood aspects of pandemic planning. For those planners who delve into the finer details, it will improve their ability to inform communities and businesses to “fight back” when the big one hits.
    —Alex J. Elliot, Health Protection Agency West Midlands–Regional Surveillance Unit, Birmingham, UK, in CID, August 2009, Vol. 49