If flu strikes a business’s work force, what is the company to do?

To answer that, Summit Healthcare companies sponsored a flu pandemic preparedness conference for businesses Aug. 26 at the Coweta County Fairgrounds that was attended by companies from Coweta and Fayette counties.

Summit’s business development director Dave Morgan opened the meeting by explaining that the session was intended to provide businesses with information on influenza that can help them prepare for and respond to disruptions that might occur. That information came from representatives of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Georgia Division of Public Health (DPH) and Coweta County Emergency Management.

In addressing business representatives in the packed Golden Creek Room, CDC’s Lisa Koonin and Toby Crafton, both with the Influenza Coordination Unit, reviewed the history of the current H1N1 virus, recommended that businesses establish a plan of action to respond to potential increased illnesses and provided a wealth of information on what is currently known and unknown about about the flu strain.

Flu and flu-like symptoms are showing up much earlier this year, but that does not automatically mean that the illnesses are a result of H1N1 since the only people being tested for the strain are those that are hospitalized for the flu. Whether the seasonal flu or H1N1, recovery without complications usually comes within a week. And while H1N1 has received much attention, the percentage of people dying from it to date are significantly less than those who die each year from the seasonal flu.

As appropriate for business owners as for families, Koonin noted that, unlike the seasonal flu that customarily affects the elderly and the very young, many of those affected with H1N1 tend to be children and adults ages 5-49. And because flu-like symptoms are showing up so much earlier this year Koonin emphasized that those manifesting flu-like symptoms should not go to work or school until those symptoms have cleared up. The same recommendation will hold true this fall when flu season begins.

“The workplace needs to be as vigilant as the schools because it affects business continuity,” Koonin said, adding that CDC will continue to provide influenza updates as appropriate. “Businesses and employers have a key role in pandemic planning and response.”

Koonin recommended a variety of measures employers might take to bolster their continuity efforts. Among those were having sick employees stay at home, instituting a flexible sick leave policy, plan for and monitor absenteeism and promote good hygiene and infection control practices. Responding to a question from the audience, Koonin said a portion of a company’s amended sick leave policy could be one where a doctor’s excuse is not required for an absence of three days or more during pandemic times. This is because so many people that manifest flu-like symptoms are not sick enough to seek medical help but, on the other hand, should not be at work where they can pass the infection on to others. Koonin reminded employers that the incubation period for influenza is 24-36 hours.

Koonin encouraged employers to be aware of employees with young children, to provide cross-training wherever possible, to utilize teleworking when possible and to determine which areas of the business operation can be temporarily suspended, if needed. And finally, Koonin advised employers to align their human resources policies with health advisories as they evolve.

“Planning and preparing is a community function and we need to start today,” Koonin said, relaying the importance of employers as an integral part of the larger community. “Response depends on the resilience of the citizens and the community.”

Koonin and Crafton said businesses can keep up to date with flu-related information by visiting www.flu.gov.

Addressing employers during the second portion of the meeting were Coweta County Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Jones and Georgia Division of Public Health (DPH) District 4 Risk Communicator Hayla Hall, Emergency Preparedness Director Charles Reneau and epidemiologist Dr. Heather Henderson. DPH District 4 includes Coweta and Fayette counties.

Comments from the panel and questions from the audience included business continuity provisions and the availability of the upcoming H1N1 vaccine.

Reneau at the outset suggested that all employers should have a business continuity plan in place that can be activated for any type of hazard or emergency. Responding to a question about the H1N1 vaccine now in production, Reneau said District 4 is prepared to receive it and will be working with a provider pool from the 12-county area to administer it. Current available information suggests that the vaccine, originally thought to be available in September, will likely arrive beginning in mid-October or later in the year.

Noting the highly contagious nature of H1N1, Reneau cited a number of steps businesses should take to be prepared to continue operations in the event of significant disruptions. Some of those included developing a business continuity plan, informing employees on the aspects of the plan and doing so frequently and clearly, cross-training staff, insisting that sick employees stay home and maintaining good hygiene practices at the workplace. This and other information can be found at www.cdc.gov.

The conference was sponsored by Summit Occupational Medicine, Summit Urgent Care and Summit Total Health.