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Influenza Pandemic Response Plan
Influenza Pandemic Response Plan
What is an Influenza Pandemic?
An Influenza Pandemic or a Pandemic flu is a virulent human flu that causes a global
outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity
among humans, the disease can spread easily from person to person.
The Avian (Bird) Flu is seen as the most likely cause of the next pandemic outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization, to date, there have only been small clusters
of infection spread associated with the Avian Flu observed in different parts of the
world, involving limited human-to-human transmission. If and when the spread becomes
easily and widely transmittable among people leading to high risks of morbidity and
mortality, a “Pandemic” Outbreak will be declared.
Implications
Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic flu virus. As the pandemic spreads
illness rates will soar. A substantial percentage of the general population will
consequently require some form of medical care. There will likely be shortfalls in
human and material resources needed to cope with large numbers of people suddenly
falling ill. Yee Hong has made preparations to sustain essential long-term care home
services during an outbreak, and to support staff in coping with the associated challenges.
Effective response to a pandemic flu outbreak is both a matter of prudent,
responsible individual action, and of rational organizational planning.
Preparations can be made at both individual/household and organizational
levels. For suggestions on how to prepare one’s household for a pandemic flu outbreak,
please consult information posted by the various local (public) health services (see
web-links provided at the bottom of this webpage).
The Yee Hong Centre Influenza Pandemic Response Plan
Organizationally, the Yee Hong Centre has developed an Influenza Pandemic Response
Plan spelling out how this organization will prepare for and respond to a pandemic flu
outbreak. It is comprised of a set of Influenza Pandemic Response Policies
Procedures that can be viewed using the following links:
Communication with the Public during the Pandemic Period
During the Pandemic Period, a special
Pandemic Flu Outbreak Communication Page will be activated on
this website to post the most up-to-date information about the outbreak and how Yee
Hong is responding, that is of relevance to stakeholders of the Yee Hong Centre,
including clients/residents, their families, staff, and others. Also posted then will be
the phone numbers to the Yee Hong Centre Pandemic Information Hotline
with pre-recorded information messages in the following languages: English, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), and
others including Punjabi, Japanese, and Tagalog subject to availability of interpreter resources.
Links to Government Sources of Pandemic Information
For more information about the Influenza Pandemic and the Canadian, Ontario, and
selected local government influenza response plans, please access the following links:
Government of Canada:
http://www.influenza.gc.ca/index_e.html
Government of Ontario:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/
Peel Public Health:
http://www.peelregion.ca/health/pandemic/resources.htm
Toronto Public Health:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/pandemicflu/index.htm
York Region Health Services:
http://www.york.ca/Departments/Health+Services/York+Region+Pandemic+Planning+.htm
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