This featured article was originally published on April 30, 2009.
A new concern for employers is the recent news of a swine flu outbreak that started in Mexico and is now spreading in the United States and other countries. Confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported in California and 10 other states, and the US government is warning that a pandemic (global flu outbreak) is imminent. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines a pandemic on their Pandemic Flu website: Click Here
Employers should be taking action now to assess risk and implement an action plan. An abundance of information is available on several government websites. First, the HHS Pandemic Flu Website is “One-stop access to U.S. Government swine, avian and pandemic flu information.”: Click Here. Within the site, you will find State and Local Government Planning & Response Activities and Workplace Planning, including checklists, letters and guidance for employers and employees.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Swine Flu Website is also an excellent resource, starting with their Swine Flu Q&A. Also on the site are confirmed cases tracked by state which are updated regularly. Companies should be aware of areas where outbreaks have occurred, and adjust work travel as necessary.
Both the HHS Pandemic Flu Website and the CDC Swine Flu Website allow you to sign up for e-mail alerts so that you can be advised as new information is available.
Finally, The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) offers an online handbook (also available in PDF format): “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic”.
Please contact your Johnson & Dugan team if you have any questions.
