What might happen if A/H5N1 develops the ability to spread easily from person to person?

• At least 2-7 million people may die (possibly many more).
• Tens of millions of people may require medical attention.
• Healthcare systems may become overwhelmed.
• Essential services may break down as key personnel are infected.
• Businesses and schools may close.
• International travel may be limited as governments restrict entry.

The SARS epidemic of 2003 gave the world a preview of what could happen if and when a highly lethal infectious disease spreads around the globe. The virus that will cause a flu pandemic is expected to be far more contagious and lethal than SARS.

In general, the main focus of pandemic preparedness is to:

• Minimize spread of the disease
• Reduce illness and death rates
• Attempt to maintain essential services
• Limit the economic and social consequences of the outbreak

For companies, the main focus is ensuring employee health and maintaining business continuity. To do so, companies should:

• Monitor an evolving pandemic, as it is a dynamic situation.
• Keep up-to-date with recommendations from health experts, which are likely to change in different phases of the pandemic.
• Ensure clear communication between staff, health practitioners, government and non-government organizations involved with policy and disease control.
• Reduce the chances that employees become infected.
• Reduce the chances of all employees and mission-critical staff becoming infected at the same time.
• Identify those employees and dependents who fall into the "high risk" group and ensure their health care is optimized.
• Identify if and when essential staff and dependents should be moved from their present location, and to where they should be relocated.

International SOS has developed several innovative methods to keep you up-to-date and help you prepare. See the International SOS Pandemic Services for more information.