Pandemic Influenza

1
Pandemic Influenza The Local Response in Kansas
City, Missouri

• Bonnie Martin
• Emergency Response Planner
• Kansas City, Mo. Health Department

2
The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan for
Kansas City, Mo.

• A Brief Overview

3
The Traditional Planning Methodology

• The majority of Pandemic Influenza Plans
  throughout the nation utilize the WHO Pandemic
  Phases (next slide) as indicators of needed
  planning and response activities.
• The WHO Phases act like a threat advisory
  system similar to the one developed by
  Department of Homeland Security.

4
WHO Pandemic Phases
5
Currently

• The WORLD is in

• Numbers Statistics for H5N1 (since 2003)
• Total Human Cases 256
• Total Human Deaths 151
• Mortality Rate 58.5

6
The Key Question

• How does the world being in Phase 3 affect Kansas
  City, Mo. when there have been NO cases of
  highly-pathogenic H5N1 in North, South, and
  Central America?
• The reality is that it does affect us minimally,
  but not enough to dictate local planning
  endeavors.

7
The Joint Pandemic Status System (JPSS)

• A two-fold indicator designed to provide focus
  for local activities in response to a global
  condition.
• Replicates the WHO Pandemic Phases and localizes
  their use.
• Kansas City, Mo. Health Department (KCHD) will
  determine its own Local Pandemic Status and plan
  accordingly.
• While still acknowledging the WHO Phases.

8
The JPSS in Action

• Currently the WORLD is in Pandemic Alert Phase 3.
• LOCALLY, Kansas City, Mo. is only in
  Interpandemic Phase 1.
• JPSS LOCAL-1 / WHO-3
• Once determined, the JPSS dictates which sections
  of the Plan are activated.

9
The Plan for Kansas City, Mo.

• Broken down into 3 sections
• Plan Overview
• Local Actions
• What KCHD may do in response to the Local
  Pandemic Status.
• Global Actions
• What KCHD may do in response to the WHO Pandemic
  Phase.

10
How the Plan will be Activated

• Utilizing the JPSS, only those sections of the
  Plan will be activated.
• Example
• JPSS LOCAL-1 / WHO-3
• KCHD will then activate only Section 2, Phase 1
  and Section 3, Phase 3.

Section 2 Local Actions Phase 1
Section 3 Global Actions Phase 3
11
Plan Maintenance

• Periodically, a KCHD committee will determine the
  Local Pandemic Status based on
• Information from recognized sources (WHO, CDC,
  HHS, FAA) as well as local expertise and
  understanding.
• As the Local Pandemic Status increases to match
  the WHO Pandemic Status, local actions will also
  increase.

12
Additional Thoughts

• The new structure allows for KCHD to localize
  its planning efforts.
• Only those sections of the plan indicated by the
  JPSS will be activated at any given time.
• Can be found on the Web at http//www.kcmo.org/he
  alth.nsf/web/fluplan

13
The Local Response A More In-Depth Look
14
Current Actions

• Currently, KCHD is encouraging all residents and
  planning partners to practice sound
  preparedness measures. These include
• Proper Hand/Cough Hygiene
• Getting a Seasonal Flu Shot
• Developing a Business Continuity Plan (addressing
  Pandemic Influenza)
• Developing a strong relationship with Public
  Health
• Individual Preparedness Emergency Kits, etc.

15
Current Actions (Contd)

• Ways in which the KCHD is encouraging pandemic
  preparedness
• Learn to LiveTM Campaign reaching out to
  businesses, individuals, and community groups
• Media Placement Public Service Announcement,
  Flyers, Posters, etc.
• Newly Launched Website Influenza Information
  Gateway http//www.kcmo.org/health.nsf/web/flu

16
Possible Local Response Actions During a Pandemic

• Antivirals
• It is foreseeable that antivirals will be limited
  in availability and possibly ineffective.
• KCHD will abide by the Department of Health and
  Human Services (HHS) established priority
  schedule for antiviral distribution/dispensing.

17
Possible Local Response Actions During a Pandemic

• Vaccine
• Vaccine production is expected to take anywhere
  from 3 to 6 months once the pandemic has already
  begun.
• Because of this limited availability, KCHD must
  abide by the HHS priority schedule for vaccine
  distribution/dispensing.
• KCHD will activate (as necessary) Points of
  Dispensing (POD) sites throughout the community
  to provide the vaccine as it becomes available
  for mass dispensing.

18
Possible Local Response Actions During a Pandemic

• Community-Level Containment
• KCHD may recommend certain community-level
  containment or social distancing measures to slow
  the spread of the disease.
• These may include
• Encouraging residents to stay home from work if
  sick
• Encouraging businesses to practice telecommuting
• Possibly closing/deterring public gatherings
• Limiting mass transit

19
Community-Level Containment

• Closing of Schools
• The decision of whether or not to close schools
  will no doubt be a complicated one.
• KCHD must consider the outcry of the business
  community as well.
• Such a decision will also have to be made with a
  regional focus in mind.

20
Public Information Will Be KEY

• Throughout a local response to a pandemic, public
  information will be vital.
• KCHD will constantly encourage good hygiene and
  healthy habits.
• Information as to antiviral and vaccine
  distribution will be disseminated.
• KCHD will be looking to state and federal
  partners for information as well.

21
Challenges To Remember

• Volunteers
• Currently there are fewer than 200 registered
  volunteers for the Kansas City Region (Medical
  Reserve Corps).
• Emergent Volunteers will require training.
• Private Businesses
• Must begin planning now to address key questions
  of liability, insurance coverage, etc.

22
Things to Consider

• Work closely with KCHD to iron out planning
  details
• Become part of the Learn to LiveTM Campaign
• Consider becoming a CLOSED Dispensing Site for
  Mass Prophylaxis

23
Questions, Comments, or Concerns?

• Thank you for your time and attention.
• Bonnie Martin
• Bonnie_Martin_at_kcmo.org / 816-513-6130