County health departments prepare
for pandemic situations

All area county health departments are preparing for the possibility of a pandemic flu event, Andrew Lucyszyn, director of the Orleans County Health Department said. "Orleans and other counties across New York state are working on documents and procedures to follow in the event of a pandemic," he said. "The various counties and health departments may be at different stages in the process but we are all working toward a program the state wants implemented by the fall."

The Finger Lakes Public Health Alliance (FLPHA), of which Monroe County is a part, has been working to develop their response plans as well. Utilizing guidance from both state and federal governments, each county is working with key community partners to develop plans that would become an annex to each county's comprehensive emergency plan.

Monroe County's Dr. Andrew Doniger, the public health director, said, "While government officials at all levels will provide much of the leadership in responding to an outbreak of pandemic flu, it is critical that actions taken by individuals, businesses, schools and community organizations will be key to minimizing illness and maintaining essential services in our communities."

Lucyszyn agrees, saying that because there is no natural immunity to a pandemic and a vaccine couldn't be developed for four to six months upon identifying an antiviral, the public would be called upon to protect themselves as much as possible. "The disease would be spread the same as any other influenza virus - through droplets passed by sneezing, coughing or other contact," he said. "Limiting exposure would be key to minimizing the spread."

Some of the key issues being addressed by the groups as they put together their comprehensive plans are:

• Infection control procedures in health care facilities, schools and businesses to limit the spread of illness.
• Methods to address the likelihood of hospital overcrowding
• Disease surveillance protocols to detect illness quickly
• Travel recommendations to reduce exposure
• Protocols for isolating and quarantining exposed persons
• Prioritization of vaccine and distribution methods
• Protocols for school and business closings
• Communication methods to provide vital prevention information.

Both Doniger and Lucyszyn feel it is probable that the bird flu will turn up in the United States this year.

"That doesn't mean it will start making humans sick," Doniger said. "Presently bird flu is a bird disease not a human disease. A series of mutations would have to occur before it would become a human threat but it isn't possible to predict if or when that would happen."

Whether it is bird flu or some other "novel" influenza, Lucyszyn said, "The public needs to be prepared and needs to be aware of the possibility." The counties have already been participating in planned episodes to test the soundness of their plans.

Ways to limit exposure and general preventive health recommendations to implement now are:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough into the crook of your arm or sleeve so you don't get germs on your hands.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Use hand gels with alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Try to stay at least three feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home from work or school if sick with respiratory symptoms.
• Keep a supply of non-perishable food, bottled water and necessary medications to minimize trips to the stores during an outbreak. Have a first aid kit and a battery operated radio on hand.
• Stay attentive and informed. Don't wait until a pandemic flu have arrived to start preparing.

Go to www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html for information on what to keep on hand in a pandemic event, or go to www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Consequences.PandemicPreparednessGuides by Dr. Grattan Woods.

July 16, 2006