Information on H1N1 (Swine Flu, or pandemic influenza)

Updated: July 2009

The World Health Organization (WHO) and many governments have declared public health emergencies due to an increasing number of confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

The WHO has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert to phase 6; all nations are strongly encouraged to consult their pandemic preparedness plans and remain alert.

At this time, we recommend the following actions for People In Aid members:

  • Review your emergency and pandemic preparedness plans, taking into account differences between a disease outbreak, which is normally phased over several months and a single disaster contingency plan.  Communicate updates to staff at HQ and in the field. Examples of NGO preparedness plans can be found at http://www.coregroup.org/h2p including, staff safety guidance, and communications for all staff.
  • Re-emphasise normal protocol for sick leave and absences including provision for special leave to care for dependents if applicable. People In Aid's Swine Flu Policy can be downloaded here. Members can view the British Red Cross' swine flu policy under the Health and Safety section here.
  • Confirm evacuation plans for staff working in countries which become particularly high risk, including provisions for repatriating both healthy and infected staff. You may need to investigate safe countries other than the “home country”, clarify coverage with insurers, and be up-to-date on any government bans on evacuation.
  • Consider appointing point persons in each of your offices for rapid communications, and encourage point persons to review key documents for swine flu (some links are below).
  • Consider establishing a communications tree of senior staff among HQ and field offices for rapid communications.
  • Identify the critical roles within the organisation and who/the skills needed to cover the roles if needed.
  • Think about limiting or postponing face-to-face contact meetings by increasing use of video links and teleconferencing.
  • Put in place strategies for home-working as a precaution and in the event of forced home quarantine of all staff due to office closures or a government response.
  • Consider knowledge and data management.
  • Stay tuned for further information as the situation unfolds; If you would like to refer to additional information sources, please focus on official updates from WHO, as general media reporting is often incorrect.

Resources, with thanks to Interaction.org for the links
Government Sites:

Trusted Blogs:

Other Resources:

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