booklet on flu pandemic

[Guest guest]

publishes booklet on flu pandemic

A guide aimed at increasing the level of awareness among Irish

businesses of the need to plan for a flu pandemic was published today

by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment .

The guide warns that during a flu pandemic absenteeism will increase

for all businesses and that this could affect core services such as

banking, energy and water.

The World Health Organisation has recommended governments prepare

national pandemic plans.

There have been three pandemics in the last century. The worst of

these was the Spanish Flu of 1918/19, which is reckoned to have killed

about 50 million people worldwide.

It is likely, the booklet warns, that public transport will be

disrupted both by staff absences, and by a reluctance among users to

sit in an enclosed space, in close proximity with others whose health

status is unknown.

Supply chains to businesses are also likely to be affected, again by

staff shortages.

Mr said: " If businesses in general, and small businesses in

particular, are not prepared for a pandemic then there is a danger

that they will lose competitiveness. I urge all business owners and

managers to give serious consideration to the advice contained in the

guide and to use the checklist in their business planning preparations " .

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0228/breaking59.htm