OHDEN, the Occupational Health Disaster Expert Network

Canada

• Government of Canada Pandemic Influenza Portal

 

Contributed by Stewart Sampson Provincial Mgr, OH&S Prof. Svcs, OH&S Div., Nova Scotia Dept of Environ. & Labour

• Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan

September 24, 2004, Updated 2005-07-12

Table of Contents Preface Introduction Background Preparedness Response

Selected Annex Documents Glossary Infection Control and Occupational Health Guidelines During Pandemic Influenza In Traditional and Non-Traditional Health Care Settings

Resource Management Guidelines for Health Care Facilities During an Influenza Pandemic Guidelines for Non-Traditional Sites and Workers

 

• Public Health Agency of Canada

  Avian Influenza Instruction Page

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Current Avian influenza (H5N1) affected areas
  • Wild Bird Survey (2005)
  • Information for Travellers
  • Global Reporting on Avian Influenza
  • Guidelines
  • More information

  • Human Health Issues Related to Domestic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

  • Travel Health Advisories

   

  • Canada Communicable Disease Report

  Health Protection Agency Avian influenza updates

   

 

• Human Health Issues related to Domestic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Canadian Pandemic Influenza Committee and affiliated Working Groups. Public Health Agency of Canada

---

• Vancouver Coastal Health

has a large, detailed Regional Pandemic Influenza Response Plan  which includes a "Private Sector" chapter of 23 pages, focussing on such issues as business continuity (and closure), customer relations, suppliers, and "Private Sector Responsibilities".

• CFIA: Lessons Learned Review

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Response to the 2004 Avian Influenza Outbreak in British Columbia, January 10, 2005

---

C
a
n
a
d
a

N
e
w

Z
e
a
l
a
n
d

New Zealand

• New Zealand Workplace Influenza Pandemic Health Plan by their Ministry of Economic Development

World Health Organization

• Influenza pandemic threat: current situation

• WHO in the Western Pacific Regional Office

"The Western Pacific Regional Office, located in Manila, the Philippines, represents WHO in the Asia Pacific."

• Local Influenza (bird & human) case Map
• Periodic local narrative updates

• Current level of alert

• Current WHO phase of pandemic alert

• Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1)

• Advice to the public

• WHO recommendations relating to travellers coming from and going to countries experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza
  

• Avian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Food safety issues
 
• WHO Outbreak Communication WHO Handbook for Journalists : Influenza Pandemic Updated December 2005. 24 page PDF file. Table of contents:
• Reporting on the pandemic: Why it will be newsworthy
• Influenza: the Basics
• The great unknowns: Why there are no certain answers for the big questions
• Questions that can be answered
• Public health tools: antivirals, vaccines and other interventions
• WHO global pandemic phases
• Pandemic preparedness: What is being done now
• WHO web resources and links
• Bird flu: the role of science journalists

• Clinical Materials

•  
• WHO Rapid Advice Guidelines on pharmacological management of humans infected with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus

Evidence-based recommendations based on availability (or not) of neuraminidase inhibitors, including variable treatment regimens for critically ill, less sick and family contacts.

Summary page or comprehensive document is available. May 2006

• Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Infection in Humans; New England J. Med, Sept 2005

• WHO recommendations on the use of rapid testing for influenza diagnosis July 2005

• WHO laboratory guidelines for the collection of animal specimens for diagnosis of influenza infection  January 2005

• Situation updates - public health

• Antivirals drugs: their role during a pandemic

• OIE updates on avian influenza situation in birds

 

• Preparedness / Public Health measures

• WHO pandemic influenza draft protocol for rapid response and containment  (to an initial, local outbreak)
Updated draft 17 March 2006

• Vaccine research and development: current status

• Non-pharmaceutical interventions: their role in reducing transmission and spread

• WHO global influenza preparedness plan

• WHO checklist for influenza pandemic preparedness planning

• Prevention and Control of Influenza due to Avian Influenza Virus A (H5N1)  (SE Asia Regional Office)

• WHO Interim Guidelines for the Protection of Persons Involved in the Mass Slaughter of Animals Potentially Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses

• Basic facts and dates

• Avian influenza frequently asked questions

• H5N1 avian influenza: timeline

• Responding to the avian influenza pandemic threat, Updated Feb 2006, Recommended strategic actions (24 pages)

• Avian influenza: significance of mutations in the H5N1 virus

• Updated WHO recommendations for management of human cases of H5N1

Revised 24 April, replaces Feb version.submitted by Bill Kojola, Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health, AFL-CIO

W.
H.
O.

O
n
l
i
n
e

M
a
t
e
r
i
a
l
s

U
n
i
t
e
d

K
i
n
g
d
o
m

United Kingdom / Britain

• Introductory Page
• UK Health Departments’ Influenza pandemic contingency plan October 2005 ( , 581K)
• A guide from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for healthcare professionals and the public.
• Important information for you and your family
• Frequently asked questions
• Contingency planning guidance
• Guidance for pandemic influenza: infection control in hospitals and primary care settings
• Pandemic influenza slide set

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n

U
n
i
o
n

European Union

• Influenza summary page

• Weekly Updates (both H5N1 & seasonal flu)

• Animal Health and Welfare: Avian Influenza

• Avian Influenza : Questions and Answers

• Avian Influenza chronology

• EFSA - European Food Safety Authority]

• ECDC - European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

• Thurday 27 October 2005 Press release: "Bird flu shows need to strengthen Europe's defences against infectious disease" says ECDC Director

• Risk Assessment  Interim Risk on the risk to human health from H5N1 bird flu

• The ECDC weekly influenza update, Fri 25 November 2005

• Workers Protection regarding Avian Contact, October, 2005.

• Questions and Answers on EU action on avian influenza and flu pandemic preparedness

1. Avian influenza and animal health
Answers on avian influenza in birds and EU measures in place to control it.

1. What is avian influenza?
2. What is the difference between low pathogenic and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses?
3. What is the H5N1 virus, that is currently in the spotlight?
4. What is the current situation with regard to outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza?
5. What is the role of wild birds in the spread of avian influenza viruses?
6. What EU legislation is in place for the control of avian influenza?
7. What recent measures have been put in place to prevent and control highly pathogenic avian influenza in the EU?
8. Under EU legislation, what measures must be taken if there is a suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry or captive birds on a holding?
9. What measures must be taken if there is a confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry?
10. What measures must be taken if there is an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in a Member State?
11. Is vaccination an option in preventing and containing avian influenza outbreaks?

2. Avian influenza and human health: where is the link?
Answers on concerns people may have about the impact of avian influenza on human health.

3. Human health and influenza: seasonal influenza
Answers on the "common" human flu, which is unrelated to avian influenza.

4. Human health and influenza: the risk of a pandemic
Answers on the threat of an influenza pandemic and what the EU is doing to address it.

Contributed by Warner Hudson, MD