Leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States who met at a security summit in Montebello, Quebec, on Aug 21 unveiled a North American pandemic influenza plan designed to share expertise, coordinate public health messages, and overcome anticipated obstacles at national borders.The North American Plan will enhance collaboration in order to: detect, contain and control an avian influenza outbreak and prevent transmission to humans; prevent or slow the entry of a novel strain of human influenza to North America; minimize illness and deaths; and sustain infrastructure and mitigate the impact to the economy and the functioning of society.
Maintaining critical infrastructure and services will be essential during a pandemic. While influenza cannot physically damage critical infrastructure, a pandemic could weaken it by diverting essential resources or removing essential personnel from the workplace. This Plan, therefore, extends beyond the health sector to include a coordinated approach to critical infrastructure protection, including the importance of business continuity planning and recognition of interdependencies among sectors.
The full Plan is available at http://www.state.gov/g/avianflu/91246.htm
Please contact Dynamic Dental Safety (888-669-8846 x701) for assistance in developing your own business continuity plan for all emergencies.
