For an introduction to risk management in the context of pandemic flu,
see the article in the current issue of The Write Stuff, the journal of the
European Medical Writers Association, "Will avian influenza lead to a
human pandemic?" at:
www.emra.org/JournalArticles/JA_V18_I1_Kahn.pdf
see the article in the current issue of The Write Stuff, the journal of the
European Medical Writers Association, "Will avian influenza lead to a
human pandemic?" at:
www.emra.org/JournalArticles/JA_V18_I1_Kahn.pdf
For risk management for families, organisations and communities, see the
extensive website of the risk management consultants, Peter M. Sandman,
PhD and Jody Lanard, MD at: http://www.psandman.com/
extensive website of the risk management consultants, Peter M. Sandman,
PhD and Jody Lanard, MD at: http://www.psandman.com/
In the event of a pandemic, many people would work from home; and there may
be serious problem with overloading the internet. See especially the articles,
"Would the bird flu kill the internet, too?" (June 2006), "Heads in the sand: IT
[information technology] isn't ready for the bird flu" (January 2007) and "Flu
pandemic could choke internet, requiring usage restrictions" (February 2007).
All of these articles (and future updates) are available free by entering "bird
flu" in the search box at the top right of the opening page of the journal,
Computerworld.
be serious problem with overloading the internet. See especially the articles,
"Would the bird flu kill the internet, too?" (June 2006), "Heads in the sand: IT
[information technology] isn't ready for the bird flu" (January 2007) and "Flu
pandemic could choke internet, requiring usage restrictions" (February 2007).
All of these articles (and future updates) are available free by entering "bird
flu" in the search box at the top right of the opening page of the journal,
Computerworld.
Computer Problems and Pandemic Flu
========================================
For a challenging reflection on how confrontation with
avian flu challenges the depth of our altruism, see John
Cornwell's "On a wing and a prayer," in the 22 October
2005 The Tablet available at:
www.thetablet.co.uk/article/776
=========================================
Personal Health Advice
For a helpful discussion of influenza in a family context, with a weblink to
proper hand-washing techniques, see the article from Laura Kahn of Princeton
University, Children: The Bioterrorists We Love
For a helpful discussion of influenza in a family context, with a weblink to
proper hand-washing techniques, see the article from Laura Kahn of Princeton
University, Children: The Bioterrorists We Love
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Go to next page.
Media Sources:
Facing Pandemic Influenza
Facing Pandemic Influenza
Risk Management
Scott McPherson of Computerworld has written several helpful articles on the
above website, especially "For hurricanes and pandemics plan one category
higher" (8 Apr 08) and "Why you need to care about Indonesia (again)" (6
Aug 08), both available at the above Computerworld website; and then type in
"pandemics." On April 28th, 2009 Mr McPherson updated his views in a "New
IT flu pandemic presentation, checklist available" with PowerPoint slides at:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/new_it_pandemic_presentation_checklist_avai
lable
above website, especially "For hurricanes and pandemics plan one category
higher" (8 Apr 08) and "Why you need to care about Indonesia (again)" (6
Aug 08), both available at the above Computerworld website; and then type in
"pandemics." On April 28th, 2009 Mr McPherson updated his views in a "New
IT flu pandemic presentation, checklist available" with PowerPoint slides at:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/new_it_pandemic_presentation_checklist_avai
lable
A Look into the Future?
For a fascinating interactive video, predicting what might happen in a
global pandemic, see Atlantic Storm at: www.atlanticstorm.org The
conclusion is stark: "International leaders cannot create the necessary
response systems in the midst of a crisis. Medical, public health and
diplomatic response systems and critical medical resources . . . must be in
place before . . . a pandemic occurs." See the After Action Report at:
www.atlantic-storm.org/after-action.html
For a fascinating interactive video, predicting what might happen in a
global pandemic, see Atlantic Storm at: www.atlanticstorm.org The
conclusion is stark: "International leaders cannot create the necessary
response systems in the midst of a crisis. Medical, public health and
diplomatic response systems and critical medical resources . . . must be in
place before . . . a pandemic occurs." See the After Action Report at:
www.atlantic-storm.org/after-action.html
Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza may be
effective in stopping the new H1N1 virus, especially if
taken as soon as a person is aware of their illness.
However, resistance may develop against Tamiflu.
There has been no resistance against Relenza. Both
drugs are being stockpiled for use, with far more in
affluent countries than in the developing countries. The
position should be clear within a few weeks; and there
will be extensive media reports.
Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza may be
effective in stopping the new H1N1 virus, especially if
taken as soon as a person is aware of their illness.
However, resistance may develop against Tamiflu.
There has been no resistance against Relenza. Both
drugs are being stockpiled for use, with far more in
affluent countries than in the developing countries. The
position should be clear within a few weeks; and there
will be extensive media reports.
Vaccines
It will be many months before an effective vaccine against the new H1N1 virus is
available. The WHO has produced a clear explanation of why it will take from 28 to
52 weeks to produce a vaccine AFTER the precise strain of influenza that is causing
a pandemic has been clearly established. See the 19 November 2007 paper: A
Description of the Process of Seasonal and H5N1 Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection
and Development
It will be many months before an effective vaccine against the new H1N1 virus is
available. The WHO has produced a clear explanation of why it will take from 28 to
52 weeks to produce a vaccine AFTER the precise strain of influenza that is causing
a pandemic has been clearly established. See the 19 November 2007 paper: A
Description of the Process of Seasonal and H5N1 Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection
and Development
For comprehensive health advice on swine flu and how to deal with it as well
as other forms of influenza, see the website of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Minnesota, USA at: www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144
as other forms of influenza, see the website of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Minnesota, USA at: www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144