Category Business Continuity Management Briefing BCM - BCM & Risk Management

Spring Briefing 2006

Pandemic Influenza, Avian Influenza and Business Continuity Planning ... cont'd
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What is pandemic Influenza?

Pandemic flu is a new highly infectious and highly pathogenic (meaning causes severe disease) viral respiratory infection.

The conditions for a pandemic influenza are met when a new strain (to which the human population has no previous immunity) of the influenza virus appears and can be spread from person to person very quickly and at the same time cause severe disease.

Avian (bird) influenza

Avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ is a disease caused by avian influenza viruses carried and spread easily among birds and is a disease predominantly of birds. Aquatic birds such as geese and ducks are often asymptomatic carriers of the infection. If these viruses are introduced to domestic poultry then sudden and severe disease can result, especially if the introduced strain is of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) variety. Avian Influenza is not easily spread among humans. The viruses can present with a range of symptoms from mild illness and low mortality to a highly contagious disease with a near 100% fatality rate to domestic birds.

The avian influenza virus currently affecting poultry and some people in Asia and other areas is the HPAI, H5N1 strain of the virus. The virus can remain viable in contaminated droppings for long periods, it can be spread among birds, and from birds to other animals, through ingestion or inhalation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is mounting evidence that the H5N1 strain has a unique capacity to jump the species barrier and cause severe disease, with high mortality in people.

A severe form of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ – called H5N1 – has affected poultry flocks and other birds in several countries since 2003. As of 2 May 2006, 205 people have caught the infection, as a result of close and direct contact with infected birds. One hundred and thirteen of these have subsequently died.

Despite this there is no firm evidence that H5N1 has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. However, concern remains that the virus might develop this ability, or that it might mix with human flu viruses to create a new virus. It is this ability of avian influenza, to change and mix, that has given rise to the fear of a new human influenza virus emerging and causing an influenza pandemic.

How can bird flu infect people?

The H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus is able to infect people because it is able to cross the species-barrier, although it does not do this easily. Those who have become infected have had close direct contact with infected birds. Historically, human infection with avian influenza viruses has usually caused mild conditions and mild flu-like symptoms.

Outbreaks of avian influenza affecting people

The first documented cases of bird flu in people appeared in Hong Kong in 1997, when 18 people infected with an H5N1 virus strain were admitted to hospital, six of whom died. The source of infection in most cases was traced to contact with diseased birds on farms and in live poultry markets.

Seasonal Human Influenza

Seasonal human flu is a common respiratory infection caused by human influenza viruses and spread amongst humans. The symptoms of seasonal human flu and pandemic flu can be relatively similar; however, the symptoms of pandemic flu can be much more severe.

The information in table 2 helps to explain the difference between seasonal, avian and pandemic flu.

Table 2: Avian, Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza

Connection between avian influenza and emergence of pandemic influenza

One way human pandemic influenza can emerge is if avian influenza viruses mixes with human or pig influenza viruses, exchange genetic material, reassorts and forms a new strain which has the capability to spread easily from human to human and cause severe disease in humans.

In human populations where domestic pigs and wild and domestic birds live in close proximity with people, the mingling and exchange of human and animal viruses can easily occur.

Furthermore the Avian Influenza strain H5N1 currently circulating is showing signs of both its highly pathogenic nature and its ability to jump species and infect mammals. An adaptation by this virus per se could result in a new virus emerging which has the ability to cause severe disease, be infectious to humans and communicable amongst humans.

Viruses may also re-emerge from unrecognised or unsuspected reservoirs.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Symptoms of the flu include fever, muscle pain and weakness, headaches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhoea and vomiting (seen especially in children).

Table 3 below gives some basic advice on preventative measures everyone can take.

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The Continuity Forum will be hosting more of our special events and workshops focusing on the issues surrounding Avian Flu and the risks around a Pandemic to help organisations develop a sensible and appropriate response.

For more details on these activities and the general activities of the Continuity Forum please contact us directly on +44 208 993 1599 or visit or website at www.continuityforum.org.

Please do contact Sara Mckenna or Russell Price .

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For more details on our events, workshops and industry development work, as well as the general activities of the Continuity Forum please contact us directly on +44 208 993 1599 or mail us HERE!

Please do contact Sara Mckenna or Russell Price .

Creating Continuity ... Building Resilience ...

If you would like to know more about how your organisation can get involved and benefit from working with the Continuity Forum, please email us HERE! or call on + 44 (0) 208 993 1599.
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