Most medical authorities around the world agree that a flu epidemic is imminent. They expect it to affect a large part of the world simultaneously and therefore refer to it as a pandemic. It is expected to be a variant of the Avian influenza A (N1H1) virus, which has so far only affected birds in a transmittable form, but which is expected to mutate to a human-based transmittal form shortly. When it does there will be international panic. When it hits Britain it is estimated that up to one million people per day could be infected.

Large international companies such as HSBC have carried out investigations into the likely effects of such a pandemic on them. There predictions are that up to 50% of their employees could be affected. For smaller firms operating in more localised areas, the proportions affected could be even higher, depending on local conditions. This high figure of employees affected includes for the following:-

• Employees actually taken ill
• Employees having to care for sick dependants
• Employees affected by transport problems

When the virus breaks out, it will be too late for firms to make emergency plans. Panic will immediately make excessive demands on resources, and firms will have to compete with each other and with the general population to obtain the supplies and services they need. It is essential that companies plan now, before word gets out that a human-transmittable form of the N1H1 virus has been discovered.

Consideration should be given to the following:-

1. Work isolation. Determine who are the key managers and workers that the business is most dependant on; also any employees who are physically unfit, and employees who suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma.
2. Call these persons together and discuss the situation with them.
3. Put in place a written plan to allow as many of these persons to work in isolation when the epidemic occurs. This work location may be at home (preferably), or in business premises isolated from other persons as much as possible, or some people may be asked to work at night.
4. Workers should be encouraged to socialise much less than usual in the workplace, and to work as far apart as possible.
5. Home isolation. All employees should be encouraged to talk to their families about what measures they can put in place to reduce contact with other people to a minimum. Suggestions might include shopping at supermarkets at night, restricting partners’ contacts with others, avoiding public venues such as cinemas, avoiding public transport, even restricting their own childrens’ attendance at school. A sensible precaution for families would be to build up a small store of food and domestic necessities now for use when a local epidemic reaches the area.
6. Purchase disposable vapour masks and issue to all employees to wear while at work. Carry sufficient stock to be able to replace used masks every few days over a period of about six weeks.
7. Ensure that the premises’ air conditioning systems are cleaned now, and if possible, incorporate a sanitising filter into the systems. Wherever possible, when the flu epidemic strikes, utilise windows and doors to keep premises ventilated naturally rather than use air conditioning.
8. Instigate an extensive, regular surface-cleaning regime at work. If possible, clean all surfaces with sanitising substances which have a residual effect i.e. they kill bacteria landing on them for several weeks after the substance has been applied. This company can supply details of such products to companies on its client-list.