Effects on Business, Industry, Plans

Is the Flu Pandemic real?

According to the experts and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, it isn't a question of "if" but "when" a major flu pandemic will strike Canada in the "near future". The disease will be related to the much publicized, "bird flu," (the H5N1 virus).

How bad can it get? Pretty bad. There won't be time or resources for planning once it starts. As many as 58,000 Canadians could die before the pandemic is over, perhaps a year later. Up to a third of the population could become infected.

While nearly a third (32%) of Asian companies currently have plans in place to deal with the effects of the pandemic, only 15% of U.S. and 10% of Canadian firms have such plans, according to research conducted by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a global human capital firm.

Consider the consequences to your family and fellow employees:

• There is a chance some of your family and fellow employee will die.
• Up to half of any average companys employees may be incapacitated and bed-ridden during the pandemic's peak.
• Healthy employees may decide to stay home to look after sick relatives or take care of children during school closures. Quarantine could isolate others. Some employees might stay home out of fear of exposing themselves to the virus in public spaces.
• Your customers, suppliers and subcontractors will be affected. Some of them will not be able to meet commitments.
• All infrastructures will be operating at reduced capacity, including financial services, medical care, police, schools, travel, communications and shipping.

What to do? Educate friends, family and employees on what the flu is, how it spreads and what its consequences are, as well as on basic prevention methods. Anticipate a sudden wave of rumours, misinformation and panic when the pandemic hits.