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What you need to know in the event of Pandemic?
How will the UN help you?
The UN has a website currently residing on iSeek (www.un.org/staff/pandemic) that will keep all staff informed worldwide about the spread of the disease and its effect on staff members. The website operates in stand-alone mode on the internet and provides information about the current situation for UN personnel in each major duty station of the Secretariat along with appropriate links to the agencies, funds and programmes.
In order to provide you with the most up-to-date information, the UN works closely with WHO, the Organization responsible for monitoring health and outbreaks of disease worldwide. The UN also works closely with country health authorities, liaising with them regularly on plans for the locales in which the UN has staff.
In 2008, the UN published revised Medical Guidelines for a pandemic. All UN medical services are familiar with these guidelines. The UN has also approved Administrative Guidelines for the management of staff during a pandemic.
What should you do to prepare?
You should be prepared for the possibility that in a pandemic many supplies will be limited and mobility will be greatly reduced. Be sure to take the necessary steps to have your affairs in order and plenty of critical supplies on hand.
• Ensure ample supplies of ongoing and routine medications for self and family.
• Ensure medical insurance coverage.
• Purchase thermometers for each member of the family.
• Stockpile hygiene products, water, and food for six weeks (see pages 22-26 for a detailed list of supplies).
• Ensure passport, visa or permits are valid for staying put and for travel
• Update the emergency contact information that your organization has on file for you and your family
What is social distancing?
Physical distancing is a term that refers to the practice of keeping a distance of one meter (three feet) between people. Social distancing refers to measures taken by health authorities to reduce transmission of a virus in the community.
Local governments may request that you remain in your community or home in the event of a pandemic. Reducing the contact people have with each other will reduce opportunities for transmission. Keep in mind that some of these measures could include:
• Closing of schools and universities
• Closing of day-care facilities
• Cancellation of mass gatherings and public transportation
How do you reduce the chances of spreading influenza?
• Practice good personal hygiene as listed on pages 9 and 10.
• Don’t share eating utensils and drinking glasses.
• Clean utensils used by sick people or surfaces they touch with warm, soapy water or disinfectant.
• Avoid crowded situations that place you in close contact with others.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking makes it easier to catch influenza and increases the likelihood of serious complications.
• Stay home if sick with a fever or cough.
How do you care for yourself and others?
Caring for yourself
The following are a few of the things you or those you are caring for can do to help reduce influenza symptoms. Of course, if the influenza appears to be more severe, you should consult with a medical professional immediately.
• Measure your temperature. If it is not above 38°C (100.4°F), you probably don’t have influenza.
• Rest and completely avoid rigorous exercise.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Stay at home.
• Drink plenty of fluids (a glass of water or juice every hour).
• Take paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) to reduce fever and relieve pain. (It does not kill the virus, but it makes you feel better.)
• Gargle with warm water to ease a sore throat.
• Use saline (salt) solution nose drops to help relieve a stuffed nose.
• Keep your nose clean with disposable tissues and throw the used tissues in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Don’t smoke.
Caring for others
Most patients with pandemic influenza will be able to remain at home during the course of their illness and can be cared for by other family members or others who live in the household. Anyone residing in a household with an influenza patient during the incubation period and illness is at risk for developing influenza. A key objective in this setting is to limit transmission of pandemic influenza within and outside the home. Even though there is a risk of transmitting the virus, people are going to have to take care of each other if they get sick.
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Resources / Useful websites :
United Nations: http://www.un.un.org/staff/pandemic
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en.index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov.swineflu/investigation.htm
The Big NM - Network Management for Filipinos: http://www.thebignm.net
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