About Pandemic Influenza
Why is bird flu a concern?
Bird flu, also known as ‘avian influenza’ is caused by a virus that affects wild birds and domestic poultry like chickens, ducks and geese. The bird flu virus could mutate into a form that is easily transmitted among humans. When this occurs a human influenza pandemic virus is created.
The current bird flu strain, H5N1, occurring overseas has been responsible for a high death rate in bird populations. Isolated cases of the H5N1 virus infecting and causing illness and death in humans have also been reported. These cases have predominantly arisen from close contact between humans and infected domestic birds, but there is no current evidence of efficient human-to-human transmission.
Scientists and health professionals, however, warn that while the H5N1 bird flu virus is circulating in the bird population there is potential for a human pandemic influenza to develop. This is the eventuality that governments, the World Health Organisation (WHO), medical experts and others are preparing for through a number of measures.
What do you need to know about pandemic influenza?
An influenza pandemic is a disease outbreak that occurs when:
- A new strain of influenza virus emerges to which no-one is immune
- The virus causes disease in humans
- The virus is spread easily between humans.
In the absence of immunity, a new influenza strain could spread rapidly, causing epidemics or pandemics, infecting large numbers of people with possibly fatal results.
A pandemic or worldwide outbreak of a new influenza virus has the potential to infect 25–30 per cent of the world’s population. WHO warns an influenza pandemic will be unlike any disaster we have experienced in recent times. It will arise quickly and may occur in several waves; lasting several months or more.
How could an influenza pandemic affect your organisation?
If it occurs, a human influenza pandemic is likely to have significant impacts on all organisations, including:
- Diminished resources—health care services may not be able to provide direct care in some cases. There may also be very high staff and volunteer absence rates for some periods during the pandemic
- Reduced capacity to respond—a pandemic could have direct effects such as high staff absenteeism, and indirect effects such as the closure of schools and child care centres. At the peak of the pandemic, between 30 and 50 per cent of staff and volunteers may be absent from work due to illness, fear of contamination, caring responsibilities or restrictions on movement
- Changes in demand—demand could increase for some community services for both existing clients and new client groups. Demands for other services may reduce
- Higher levels of uncertainty, fear and anxiety—these would be expected to be much higher during a pandemic because of people’s concerns about the risk of infection to themselves and their families
- Prolonged duration of the impact—most emergencies are short and contained. A pandemic may, however, last for several months.
In the event of a pandemic, it is likely that small organisations with limited resources will particularly feel the impact. Even the loss of a few key employees, volunteers or suppliers has the potential to cause major disruptions to an organisation’s ability to function.
With these factors in mind, non-government organisations need to develop business continuity plans and to work closely with local government to manage the effects. Additional pressure may be felt by organisations in rural and remote communities due to isolation and limited resources.
How is the Australian Government preparing for an influenza pandemic?
Australia is well prepared to respond to an influenza pandemic. The Australian Government is constantly monitoring the situation overseas in conjunction with international agencies and health experts.
The Australian Government’s health approach to managing an influenza pandemic in Australia is available in the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza, prepared by the Department of Health and Ageing. The plan contains information about what the Australian Government is doing to prepare for a pandemic.
If an influenza pandemic occurs overseas, border control measures will be implemented to delay the spread of the pandemic to Australia for as long as possible. Comprehensive disease control plans are in place in the event that the pandemic reaches Australia. The Department of Health and Ageing maintains surveillance networks so that diseases can be identified quickly. There is also a national stockpile of medicines and equipment that could be used to reduce the spread of the virus. Increased laboratory capacity and contractual arrangements are in place with manufacturers to ensure Australia has access to a vaccine once one is developed.
National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic
The National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic has been developed in cooperation with the Australian Government, state and territory and local governments. This plan outlines how all levels of government will work together to protect Australia against the threat of an influenza pandemic and support the Australian community should one occur. More information is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
The Australian Government is also working closely with neighbouring countries in an effort to slow the spread of a pandemic overseas. The likelihood of an influenza pandemic reaching our shores is closely monitored through liaison with WHO and other governments.
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is responsible for addressing and responding to the potential social and community impacts of an influenza pandemic. This includes providing information to non-government organisations to support the ongoing provision of services to the community in the event of a pandemic.
Who will tell you if there is an influenza pandemic?
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has prepared a comprehensive communication strategy for informing and advising the general public, businesses and key health stakeholders, should a pandemic develop.
Information will also be available through state and territory government websites. These organisations have an essential role in pandemic preparedness and will be key sources of information and assistance in the event of an influenza pandemic.
In the event of an influenza pandemic, health officials will be responsible for issuing information and warnings to the public. These will be released through the media and official websites.
The Department of Health and Ageing Communicable Disease hotline will provide a free call telephone information service 1800 004 599. Information about Australian Government assistance will be available on the Disaster Assist website. State and territory health departments will also provide information about local arrangements in their state/territory.