Pandemic Flu Update

1. Pandemic Flu Update Gary W. GardnerAmerican Gas AssociationOperating Section Fall Committee MeetingsOctober 9, 2006

2. Agenda • Current World Status • Government Initiatives • Industry Preparation

3. Current World Status Pandemic Threat – September 2006 • No evidence of HPAI H5N1 avian influenza in the Americas • Still no evidence of human-to-human transmission • 251 human cases and 147 (59%) deaths since 2003 (globally) World Health Organization • Risk remains high despite public “fatigue” with the issue • New outbreaks noted in Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia • Imperative to maintain aggressive sampling and planning

6. Annual Flu Occurs every winter 500k-1 million deaths Deaths in risk populations Vaccination available (?) and effective What Is The Difference? Pandemic Flu • Occurs 3 times/century • 50-100 million deaths (1918) • Larger risk population • Vaccination not available at outset – months later

7. A 1918 Pandemic Today

8. Government Initiatives • Stop, slow, or limit the spread of a pandemic to the U.S. • Limit the domestic spread of a pandemic, and mitigate disease, suffering, and death • Sustain infrastructure and mitigate impactto the economy and society

9. Potential Weapons in the Fight • Vaccines and antivirals • Transmission interventions • Social distancing

10. What Does History Teach Us?

12. Philadelphia Parade - September 28, 1918

13. Mayor closes “theaters, moving picture shows, schools, pool halls, Sunday schools, cabarets, lodges, societies, public funerals, open air meetings, dance halls and conventions until further notice” Closing order withdrawn

14. Conclusions from 1918 “Swift, agile, decisive, and coordinated action based on accurate information and advanced preparedness planning, before the appearance of influenza in the local area, is critical.” Howard Markel, MD, PhDDefense Threat Reduction Agency Report, January 2006

15. National Infrastructure Advisory CouncilPandemic Prioritization Study Group • Provide recommendations on critical infrastructure (CI) prioritization in the event of pandemic • Assumptions: • A severe pandemic can significantly disrupt the CI • Medical countermeasures can protect CI but supplies are limited • Defining priorities can lead to optimal use of limited resources and best preserve societal function

16. Pandemic Prioritization Study GroupSpecific Tasks • Establish criteria/principles for prioritization • Identify/define priority critical services • Identify critical employee groups • Recommend communication strategies • Identify principles for effective implementation by DHS and HHS • WILDCARD – state & local approach

17. Public Health Response Challenges • “CNN” Effect • Communications • Authority ambiguity (Who’s in charge?) • Number of responders (convergence) • Poor use of special resources

19. Industry Preparation • Business Continuity Planning & Preparation • Oil & Natural Gas Sector Coordinating CouncilPlanning, Preparation & Response Reference Guide • Working with federal/state/local government and health officials • AGA Pandemic “Point of Contact” Group

20. Key Questions for Utilities • How will you maintain operations when 10-25% of theworkforce falls ill at one time? • How will you cope when your suppliers experiencethe same absentee rates? • How will you communicate and interact with employees, customers, government, media, and stakeholders? • How can existing HR, workforce planning, and travelpolicies be adapted to control the spread? • How will you handle field service calls to homes andbusinesses? • What regulatory waivers need to be pursued right now?

21. Oil and Natural Gas Sector Coordinating CouncilPlanning, Preparation & Response Reference Guide • Planning / Preparedness / Response Phases • Planning Assumptions: - Timing is uncertain - Once human-to-human, will spread very rapidly - Pandemic could last for 6 months – strike in 2 waves - Possibly 25% initially very ill for up to a week - 35% absentee rate – healthy stay home with family - Not enough antiviral or vaccines will be available - Schools and businesses closed

22. Oil and Natural Gas Sector Coordinating CouncilPlanning, Preparation & Response Reference Guide • Action Elements: - Establish roles and responsibilities - Prioritize functions and processes - Identify essential/critical workers - Communicate, monitor, and coordinate - Employee AND employee family well-being highest priority

23. Global Survey on Pandemic Planning • Electronic survey completed May 2006 • 553 companies participated worldwide • 76% US; 15% European; 5% Asia/Pacific; 3% Canadian • Interviewed heads of 4 corporate functions • Human Resources • Business Continuity • Risk Management • Environment, Health & Safety

24. Global Survey on Pandemic Planning - Findings Assumptions in plans concerning absenteeism Employees with flu 97% Family members with flu requiring care 95% Quarantine by public officials 80% Fear of contracting flu from others 80% Closing of schools 78% Limits on public/private transportation 62%

25. Global Survey on Pandemic Planning - Findings Measures included in plans Enhance capabilities to work 72%from home or satellite facility Actively encourage employees who 79%do not feel well to stay home Antibacterial cleansers 78% Stockpile antiretroviral drugs 24% Restrict travel 80%

26. Global Survey on Pandemic Planning - Findings • Larger multinational companies are well along in the planning process • Critical industries are better prepared – smaller companies unprepared and at risk • Asia/Pacific and Europe are better prepared than U.S. • Possibly unrealistic assumptions about virtual business environment backup

27. “Sometimes you really don’t know what you don’t know. Dealing with new and emerging infections is a very humbling experience. We should not pretend to know what will happen. Will it be severe or mild? Which age groups will be most affected? We just don’t know.” Dr. Margaret Chan, World Health Organization

28. Thank You