Business Risks associated with Swine Flu (H1N1flu) or a Pandemic Flu

As of 18:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases and 25 deaths from  influenza A (H1N1) infection . H1N1 Influenza (H1N1flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs, thus the common name of Swine Flu.

 It is prudent that businesses are prepared for the worse with an operational plan focused on the risks and solutions if this epidemic flu spreads and becomes a pandemic. Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person.

A worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the global economy, including oil & gas, travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption and eventually, investment and financial markets. Planning for pandemic influenza by business and industry is essential to minimizing its impact on your business, workers and family. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as health, power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, having a well-conceived, contingency plan is essential to dealing with a crisis.

The United States Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assessment of possible economic effects of a flu pandemic concludes that a pandemic involving a highly virulent flu strain (such as the one that caused the pandemic in 1918 that killed more people than were killed in World War I, somewhere between 20 and 40 million) could produce a short-run impact on the worldwide economy similar in depth and duration to that of an average postwar recession in the United States.  That means billions of dollars lost.

An example would be in the area of international travel. Is it prudent and necessary to avoid international travel? What are the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) positions on travel? What countries are affected? What countries are likely to be affected? What should the employee do if they are quarantined? Will your flight be arriving at the same time and terminal as a flight from Mexico? How would this affect product shipping or off-shore businesses requiring specialized transport?  How can a company reduce the impact and deal with the impact of an international pandemic?

Total Security Solutions (TSS) is a professional services firm specializing in the convergence of technology, risk and management, with specialists in the safety of corporations, projects, and executives.  We provide planning, design, consulting, process, training, management (process, claims, insurance, project), and implementation services to corporate leaders and assist in the integration of physical, electronic and cyber security products, techniques and services.  Our proficiency includes the design & construction industry, oil & gas, energy, logistics and high net worth. 

At TSS we assist companies avoid and manage risk in the real world. We develop risk management plans and operational plans, and provide advanced consulting and analysis of your unique requirements and strategies in the international market.  Contact us today.  Jonathan Kendall in the USA at jonathan@ProtecaoTotal.com and Pat McDonnell in Brazil at pat@ProtecaoTotal.com.  www.totalsecurity.solutions.com.br