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International SOS Survey Finds Only 27% of Large Organizations Have Begun to Implement Avian Flu Preparedness Plan

12 December 2005

Philadelphia

While 91 percent of large corporations consider organizational preparedness for avian flu “important, very important or critical,” only 26 percent of firms have begun to implement a pandemic preparedness plan and just one percent have completed a plan, according to a recent survey of 200 Fortune 500 companies and other large organizations conducted by travel and medical assistance provider International SOS.

With 4,000 professionals operating in 60 countries, International SOS helps organizations manage the health and safety risks facing their travelers and global workforce.

Pandemic preparedness plans enable companies to mitigate the risk associated with the outbreak of disease, Dr. Myles Druckman, Vice President of Medical Assistance for International SOS, said.  “A solid pandemic preparedness plan is critical for organizations to be able to effectively medically manage their employees and travelers, especially in less developed countries.  Any business continuity plan needs to address the issue of pandemic,” Dr. Druckman said.

Among other highlights of the International SOS survey:

• 72 percent of organizations are “investigating options” for implementing a pandemic preparedness plan. (26 percent have “begun to implement” a plan.  One percent has “completed” their plan.  Two percent said they “do not believe pandemic will be an issue.”)

• Organizations were asked to identify which of the following measures they are currently implementing, selecting all measures that apply.  Their responses:

• Employee training:                         53 percent
• Travel restrictions:                         17 percent
• Stockpiling antiviral drugs:             6 percent
• None:                                           43 percent

• Organizations were asked to identify which of the following measures they are considering implementing, selecting all measures that apply.  Their responses:
  
• Employee training:                         87 percent
• Travel restrictions:                         74 percent
• Stockpiling antiviral drugs:              28 percent
• None:                                             8 percent

Earlier this year, International SOS launched a suite of services designed to assist organizations in developing specific pandemic preparedness plans, and a specific Pandemic Preparedness website available to its members and visitors: http://www.internationalsos.com/members_home/pandemicpreparedness/

The International SOS Pandemic Preparedness website has three levels of information. The public area of the website contains valuable information regarding the outbreak of avian flu in Asia and the potential impact should it become a pandemic. The second level of the website is available only to International SOS corporate clients and individual members, and contains more details on avian, seasonal and pandemic flu and general information about pandemic preparedness.

The third level of the website contains the "International SOS Pandemic Protocols", a 120-page highly researched document available to International SOS clients who purchase the information. The protocols are designed to help organizations develop an organization-specific Pandemic Preparedness plan and address specific employee health and business continuity concerns. The protocols include advice on infection control, stocking and use of antiviral drugs, disinfection, management of suspected cases, medical evacuation and traveler management. International SOS offers consultation to its clients to customize these generic protocols to suit their organization’s specific situation. Additional Pandemic Preparedness services offered by International SOS to its clients include consultation on antiviral drug policies and protocols, as well as worksite assessments and employee training programs.

About International SOS
International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) is the world's leading provider of medical assistance, international healthcare, security services and outsourced customer care.

With 4,000 professionals operating in 60 countries, International SOS helps organizations manage the health and safety risks facing their travelers and global workforce. Working in some of the most inhospitable places on earth, International SOS offers international standards of medical care where it is not available or where cultural and language barriers exist.

Founded by a doctor, the company’s “people first” approach remains true today. This commitment extends to its outsourced customer care programs and added value services, where it helps clients achieve service excellence and competitive advantage.   Clients include 81% of the FORTUNE Global 100’s leading multinational corporations, insurers and financial institutions as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations.   The Americas headquarters for International SOS is in Philadelphia, with offices in Toronto and Houston.

For more information, contact:

Terry Banks
Fleishman-Hillard Communications
Phone: 202-828-9710
bankst@fleishman.com