Being prepared for an epidemic or a pandemic

---

‘…it is inevitable that the world will face another influenza pandemic. While there is no certainty about where or when the next one will occur, Australia must be prepared. An influenza pandemic represents a significant risk to Australia. It has the potential to cause high levels of disease and death and disrupt our community socially and economically.’ ‘Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza.’
‘Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza’ (AHMPPI) 2014¹

---

The prolific nature of national and international travel expedites the rapid global spread of communicable diseases between nations. As demonstrated by the influenza H1N1 2009 virus pandemic.²
Infectious diseases are increasing rather than decreasing²
While communicable diseases are potentially avoidable, they are increasing. In Australia, new tuberculosis (TB) notifications are increasing with 80-90% occurring in arrivals from overseas. There are increasing rates of known threats such as pertussis (whooping cough), lab-confirmed influenza, gonococcal infections, chlamydia infections, campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis.²
Emerging infectious diseases are an ongoing risk of epidemics or pandemics. New diseases are emerging more frequently, for example MERS-CoV, and new strains of influenza with pandemic potential such as avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9.²
While Influenza is usually a self-limiting, seasonal virus lasting a week or less, it can lead to complications and for more vulnerable people, such as older people, pregnant women, people with poor immune systems and people with pre-existing respiratory, cardiac and endocrine disease. For these people, influenza can be a significant disease and can be fatal. It can also cause the death of healthy adults and children.¹
In addition to new threats, each year in Australian acute healthcare facilities, there are around 200,000 health care-associated infections (HAIs). Antibiotic-resistance in hospitals is rising, rendering first-line treatments ineffective.²
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) resources need to be available for a rapid response ^1,4
Pandemics are unpredictable, for timing, severity and size.1 The World Health Organisation (WHO) advise that advanced planning and preparedness are critical in helping mitigate the impact of influenza epidemics or pandemics.⁵
The availability and appropriate use of PPE is critica is critical in protecting hospital staff, other patients, and visitors in the event of an epidemic or pandemic. Even with the use of antiviral mediation, N95 respirators, gowns and gloves are an important line of defence against the spread of a virus. Disposable PPE should be used whenever possible, as the virus can remain infectious in garments for long periods of time.⁴
References:
1. Australia Government, Department of Health. ‘Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic influenza (AHMPPI).’ 2014. www.health.gov.au Accessed July 2015.
2. Australia Government, Department of Health. ‘National Framework for Communicable Disease Control.’ 2014. www.health.gov.au Accessed July 2015.
3. World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘Emergencies preparedness, response. Middle East respiratory Sydndrome coronavirus (MRES-CoV) – Thailand (update).’ www.who.int Accessed July 2015.
4. Pyrek KM 2014 PPE utilization in a pandemic: more research needed to fuel preparedness. Infection Control Today. March pp 1-26.
5. World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘Influenza Pandemic preparedness.’ www.who.int Accessed July 2015.
*Registered Trademark or Trademark of Halyard Health, Inc. (HYH) or its affiliates. © 2015 HYH. All rights reserved. Halyard Australia Pty Limited. PPEAHHB1507
Is your PPE stockpile prepared?
To assist you in planning your flu season and pandemic supplies, Halyard has developed a handy Stockpile Calculator. Visit: www.halyardhealth.com.au/stockpile-calculator.