H1N1 Flu: For Associations

Emergency Preparedness: How Prepared Are You?
Acronym, July 2009
On June 11, 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world...

More Resources Help Associations with Pandemic Flu Contingency Planning
Acronym, June 2009
With the World Health Organization’s June 11 decision to upgrade the global pandemic ranking for H1N1 influenza (swine flu) to its peak phase 6, some associations, nonprofits, and business partners are developing new contingency and crisis communication materials for their corporate members, as well as the public...

Sample Swine Flu Flier for Meeting Attendees (PDF)
American Association of Orthodontists

Talking Points: Swine Flu*
American College of Emergency Physicians, April 2009
Some talking points from the American College of Emergency Physicians to help you in case the news media calls you or a physician member...

American College of Emergency Physician’s Staff Guidance Regarding H1N1 Flu*
American College of Emergency Physicians, May 2009

ACTE Urges Temporary Behavioral Change To Reduce Potential H1N1 Influenza Impact on Meetings and Business Travel
Association of Corporate Travel Executives, September 2009
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has today released a recommendation to its global membership (responsible for directing the activities and managing the safety of millions of business travelers worldwide), calling for the temporary suspension of a timeless tradition that is the basis of greetings and agreements in western civilization -- the handshake -- until the H1N1 influenza virus threat has been reduced to the status of the common cold. According to a statement issued by ACTE Executive Director Susan Gurley, temporarily eliminating “the handshake” from business travel may go a long way in reducing the person-to-person contact that spreads this variety of influenza...

AMAfluhelp.org
AMA, ongoing
The American Medical Association created AMAfluhelp.org for patients like you who want to learn more about H1N1 and seasonal flu. This free public health resource can help assess your risk and determine the best course of action based on any symptoms you may have.

Flu fight: Keep it simple
Baltimore Sun, October 2009
"I guess I'll take my chances."

I hear this a lot from patients when I fail to convince them about proper management and prevention of H1N1 flu. Why would someone in this day and age think like that? Why, when we have a rapid test to diagnose the flu; when we have two novel antiviral medications; when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are providing more timely information than one can read?

CDC Mobile Web Site
CDC, September 2009
CDC's health information is now available on your mobile device. Visit m.cdc.gov on your mobile phone or PDA for information on seasonal flu, H1N1 flu, public health emergencies, and more.This site is designed to be easily read and navigated from mobile devices and will soon feature even more health and safety topics.

City of San Francisco Swine Flu Recommendations (PDF)
City of San Francisco, August 2009
Letter to San Francisco business wtih H1N1 prevention and crisis management recommendations.

Fraudulent H1N1 Products Widget
Food and Drug Administration, ongoing
Place this Fraudulent H1N1 Products Widget on your Web site, portal home page, or in your blog to allow you and your visitors to search for Fraudulent H1N1 Products. A widget is an application that displays the featured content directly on your web page. You can embed content in your Web site or blog to increase overall awareness about this important topic. Once you’ve added the widget, there’s no technical maintenance. FDA.gov will update the content automatically.

Guidance for Businesses and Employers for the Fall Flu Season
Flu.gov, ongoing
During an influenza pandemic, businesses and other employers have a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical...HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed guidelines, including checklists, to assist businesses, industries, and other employers in planning for a pandemic outbreak as well as for other comparable catastrophes...

What Changes Should be Made, if Any, to Employee Travel?
Flu.gov, ongoing
A pandemic will have a global effect and it is essential to ensure the safety of your off-site and international employees. Unessential travel to areas with high transmission rates should be discontinued. Quarantines and border closures need to be evaluated before making decisions about all business-related travel. The starting point in ensuring the safety of employees abroad is to always know where they are and be able to communicate with them to convey health and safety information.

H1N1: Ignore at Your Own Risk (Part 1)
MeetingsNet, August 2009
This fall’s influenza season will almost certainly bring a serious outbreak of H1N1, the novel virus also known as swine flu. But as the autumn months approach, the worst flu pandemic in nearly a century is being heralded by an outbreak of doubt and dismissiveness that could be almost as serious. And our industry is not immune...

Waiting for the next H1N1: How do we Prepare?
Meet Prepared Blog, July 2009
Michael Jackson, the Governor of South Carolina and the death of Steve McNair have somehow – through the vigilant efforts of the media – managed to throw the H1N1 (swine flu) virus off the front page. For MPI members, this weekend starts the World Education Congress or WEC. Ask yourself if we, as industry leaders, have taken precautions should an outbreak occur on Friday afternoon. My guess is not much time has been given to such preparations. I don’t blame MPI or any other organization for failing to do so. Instead, I blame us as meeting professionals for not insisting upon it. So what should be done? Join me as I suggest five things that any organization can do to be prepared should a pandemic alert happen again...

H1N1: Ready or Not, Here it Comes (Part 2)
MeetingsNet, September 2009
How should our industry respond to an emerging threat of uncertain severity? The same way we address any other contingency that jeopardizes the success of a meeting or the health and safety of participants..

"It's Not Flu as Usual: An H1N1 Business Preparedness Guide"
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, September 2009
On September 18, 2009, the U.S. Chamber released "It's Not Flu as Usual," which is an H1N1 preparedness guide written for businesses of all sizes...

After Swine Flu Hysteria: Eight Keys for Effective Pandemic Communications (PDF)
Varolii Corporation, June 2009
Following the recent swine flu outbreak and resulting turmoil, many organizations are assessing whether they’re fully prepared to handle such a widespread business disruption. Pandemic-proof communications are critical to understanding how the outbreak is impacting the workforce and what adjustments should be made to keep the business going. Two-way communication via multiple channels is by far the most effective way of reaching all stakeholders and giving employees the means to report on their status—both of which will help companies mitigate the financial and operational impact created by a prolonged outbreak...

WHO Swine Influenza Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Page
World Health Organization, ongoing
Resource page for individuals, communities and national authorities, updating and information on the H1N1 outbreak. Includes update on pandemic, safety tips and vaccine recommendations.

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