The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other agencies belonging to the United Nations system are developing internal contingency plans that outline measures their agencies and staff should take to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

PAHO is finalizing a Staff Policy & Contingency Plan for an Influenza Pandemic, based on the United Nations Medical Services Staff Contingency Plan Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic, which have been distributed to all U.N. agencies.

The purpose of the PAHO plan is "to ensure preparedness for a timely, consistent and coordinated response across the organization in the event of an influenza pandemic."

The PAHO plan outlines the use of both medical and nonmedical interventions in preparing for and responding to a pandemic. These include procurement of antivirals and a pandemic vaccine, determination of "essential staff," and arranging for medical evacuation, repatriation, or relocation of international staff and dependents.

Continuity of operations during an influenza pandemic is a major concern for PAHO and other organizations, not only in the health sector but also in government and the private sector. Employee absenteeism, disruption of supplies and inputs, and requirements for social distancing are among the numerous factors that contingency planning efforts must take into account.

New Influenza Resources Online

The Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) website now has a section featuring resources on avian and pandemic influenza, accessible via the "Avian Flu" banner on the PAHO home page.

The section provides links to authoritative information on avian, pandemic, and seasonal influenza, with materials on preparedness, prevention and control, surveillance, and PAHO activities.

The site makes a number of key documents available in Spanish, including the WHO Global Influenza Preparedness Plan, the WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning, and the WHO Guidelines on the Use of Vaccines and Antivirals during Influenza Pandemics.

The section provides links to WHO's frequently asked questions on avian influenza and its "10 Things You Need to Know about Pandemic Influenza." There is also a list of National Influenza Centers in PAHO member countries, with complete contact information, and a selection of media articles on avian and pandemic flu.

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