EMS Solutions provides free resources to help companies tackle this year's H1N1 flu pandemic

Emergency Management & Safety Solutions (EMS Solutions), the crisis planner for many Fortune 100 companies, international government agencies and large non-profit organizations, is providing free resources to help companies better prepare for and prevent transmission of this year's H1N1 flu pandemic. Today, over 180 countries have experienced the H1N1 virus outbreak and approximately 6,500 people have died -- including over 1,500 in North America, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Illness with the H1N1 virus ranges from mild to severe. Although most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred from infection with the virus.

Information analyzed by the CDC supports the conclusion that the H1N1 flu has caused a greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. Pregnancy and other previously recognized high-risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with the increased risk of complications from swine flu. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neuro-cognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

"When planning for a pandemic crisis, companies must include broad thinking about how their supply chains, communications and workforces would be disrupted," says Regina Phelps, President of EMS Solutions. "It is especially important that they enforce procedures such as hand-washing and restricted visitors during the height of an emergency, which experts say could result in an average 30 percent absenteeism."

People on the priority list for the H1N1 vaccine should get it as soon as it is available this fall. Workers who frequently travel both domestically and internationally should receive the vaccine. Also, cautiously distance yourself and loved ones from people at work, school and those you interact with socially.

One of the main concerns for most companies is to prevent high absentee rates. Executives need to consider whether employees would be equipped to work from home during a pandemic, and how to care for employees who may suddenly become seriously ill while at work. In addition, it is recommended that employers should adopt a more relaxed sick-leave policy to prevent sick employees from feeling pressured to show up to work. This includes the consideration of hourly workers, who don't get paid when they don't come to work.

Also, managers should supply staff with antibacterial wipes to clean work areas and telephones. A well thought-out plan is important before it is disseminated to employees, and employers should be sensitive to drawing a fine line between educating people and scaring them.