City of Camrose - Pandemic Influenza Emergency Plan

Pandemic Influenza - A Global Threat

Pandemic is defined as an incident to whole people, a widespread epidemic disease. Influenza is defined as an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, occurring in isolated cases, epidemics and pandemics.

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a wide spread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears that people have not been exposed to before. Pandemic influenza can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus. Effective vaccines would not be immediately available and impacts on society would be significant.

Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness, caused by the influenza virus that affects many Canadians each year, this is generally the “flu season”. This happens now and generally we survive from it.

An Avian influenza is a group of influenza viruses that cause sickness and death in birds. The avian influenza strain circulating and killing poultry in Asia since 2004. At the present there is cross infection from animal to human, and isolated cases of human to human. Most cases are found in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Pandemic Influenza would be this new strain that people would have no protection against. The disease would spread easily from person to person and an effective vaccine would not be immediately available. Pandemic influenza will affect all provinces in Canada, and every other country in the world.

The “World Health Organization” has defined 6 phases:

This is the situation now (March 2007):

The City of Camrose and North America is not in Phase 3. Although, since the world has been rated in Phase 3 recommendations from world health officials have emphasized to all countries to begin planning for the next pandemic.

Please take this time to view this 11 minute video which will provide you with some background of a pandemic influenza emergency situation and how to prepare. This video was prepared by the Spokane Health Authority and is presently being used to assist in educating communities.

Note: To view the videos, you will need Windows Media Player.

Small Video (4 MB)
Medium Video (25 MB)
Large Video (71 MB)

Click the image to obtain printable copies of Family & Individual Checklist from East Central Health.

During a pandemic people will be affected in all parts of life. Essential community services such as grocery stores, fuel stations, pharmacies, etc. and other businesses may be affected. People may not come to work due to being ill or caring for family which are ill, or just plain fear of contamination. Therefore, essential businesses such as grocery stores, fueling stations, pharmacies are encouraged to develop a "business continuity plan" which will provide planning for maintaining operations so that basic necessities can be provided.

Visit East Central Health to obtain printable copies of the "Business Checklist".

Here are some recommendations that you and your family can begin practicing now:

1. Hand Washing – Frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizers is very effective in limiting the spread of infection. Effective hand washing involves wetting hands, applying liquid soap, scrubbing for 10-15 seconds, rinsing and drying with a paper towel.
Hand Sanitizers – Effective use of sanitizers involves applying enough sanitizer for hands to stay wet for 15 seconds, spreading sanitizer over all surfaces of hands and rubbing hands together until dry.
Hands should be washed or sanitized: After coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose, or wiping a child’s nose After using the washroom Before preparing food Before eating Before touching the eyes, mouth or nose After shaking hands Having any contact with a person who has influenza or with his/her immediate environment Handling garbage

2. Sneeze/Cough Etiquette - Covering your mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing will help limit the spread of infection. If possible cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough/sneeze into your upper sleeve. Dispose of used tissue and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

3. Annual Influenza Vaccination - Annual flu vaccination is encouraged. While this will not protect from the pandemic new virus strain, it will prevent other forms of influenza in 70% of the healthy population.

4. Stay at Home if Ill - Staying at home when ill will help limit the spread of infection. In all workplaces, schools and childcare centres, it should be common practice to stay home when ill.

5. Environmental Cleaning - Because the virus can survive on environmental surfaces (up to 48 hours on hard surfaces) frequent cleaning can reduce the spread of the virus in the work place and home.

The City of Camrose will follow the 6 phases of a Pandemic that have been defined by the World Health Organization and will react accordingly to each phase.

City of Camrose Response to WHO Pandemic Phases

The interest in the safety and wellness of the citizens of Camrose is of high importance. The City of Camrose would like to assure the community that the preparation of a pandemic emergency response plan is well underway and is presently working with all other agencies to attempt to reduce the impact on the community during this type of emergency.

For further information please contact: Joe Mah – City of Camrose Emergency Pandemic Planning Coordinator by email, or access the web links listed below.

• East Central Health
• Government of Canada
• World Health Organization
• Alberta Government

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