Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

1. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness All Indian Pueblo Council Pueblo Health Committee New Mexico Dept of Health Epidemiology and Response Division Office of Health EmergencyManagement June, 2006

2. Overview • Avian or “Bird” Flu • Pandemic Preparedness Planning in NM • Point of Dispensing Sites

3. What is Avian Influenza? • Avian or bird flu is a type of influenza that infects birds. • Influenza viruses occur naturally among birds • Avian flu is very contagious among birds and can make domestic birds e.g. chickens, turkeys, and ducks sick, and even kill them • H5N1 avian influenza or “bird flu” (now in the news) is NOT pandemic flu

4. What is pandemic influenza? • A pandemic occurs when there is a widespread or world wide outbreak of disease • An influenza pandemic or “pandemic flu” is caused when a new virus appears that people have not been exposed to before

5. Caused by existing flu virus Healthy adults usually not at risk Modest impact to society Approximately 36,000 deaths in US each year Caused by a new flu virus Healthy adults at increased risk due to little or no immunity Could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss Seasonal vs. Pandemic influenza

6. Why should we prepare? • Influenza outbreaks among humans are annual events • A pandemic could occur if a new strain of influenza is introduced • A new strain of influenza could pass easily from person to person • Local community preparedness can mitigate some of the severe effects of a pandemic on individuals, families & communities

7. “The pandemic clock is ticking, we just don’t know what time it is” E. Marcuse

8. Human cases of H5N1 avian flu are very rare, occurring mainly in Asia where people live close to domestic poultry Human to human transmission of bird flu is rare, where itmay have occurred , did not spread beyond immediate family Currently, there is no H5N1 virus in the United States New Mexico is on the Central Flyway for migrating waterfowl World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are closely monitoring the avian flu US Fish and Wildlife is monitoring migratory birds in Alaska NM Game and Fish is monitoring the Sandhill Cranes Where are we now?

9. Eagles and Turkeys • Eagles and turkeys are not migratory but susceptible to the avian flu virus • Caution should be taken when gathering eagles from the wild • US Fish & Wildlife repository tests eagles for flu before sending them to Native Americans

10. Pandemic Preparedness in NM • NMDOH received $956,824 from CDC to engage in statewide pandemic preparedness planning • Tribes will each receive $8,000 for planning • Tribes must sign an MOA with the State to receive funds • Tribes must be listed as a current vendor with the State

11. Pandemic Preparedness in NM • County Emergency Managers are the leads for pandemic preparedness planning in each county • Tribes must identify who will coordinate tribal pandemic response planning with County Emergency Managers • Counties will sign an MOA with the State that obligates them to work closely with the Tribes • Tribal emergency managers & IHS are partners in State- level Unified Command of agencies coordinating pandemic planning (others NM DPS/OEM, NMDOH, & NM Emergency Managers Association)

12. Point of Dispensing Sites • Point of Dispensing Sites or PODS can be used for giving mass vaccinations in the event of public health emergencies • PODS are not permanent locations and must be separate from hospitals • It is the State’s responsibility to establish PODS in consultation with the tribes • Currently, the State has established 87 POD sites • Tribes have the option to set up PODs on tribal land

13. Requirements for PODS • Building that is accessible to the public with: • adequate parking • phone lines • Internet access (preferred) • Assurance of security for medication, facility & personnel • Design & plan for service flow throughout facility • Operated primarily by members of your community

14. Factors to consider • States and Tribes largely will be on their own to prepare for and respond if a pandemic occurs • Indian Health Service will be overwhelmed with the demand for services in their own facilities • There may be very high levels of illness and death • Vaccine may not be available for up to 6 months after initial outbreak • There will not be enough vaccine for everyone

15. Additional Resources www.pandemicflu.gov www.nmbirdflu.org/ www.health.state.nm.us/ohem/ NM Dept Health, Infec. Disease & Epi: 505-827-0006 NM Game & Fish: 505-476-8000 Joe Baca, Native American Planner NMDOH, Epidemiology & Response Division Office of Health Emergency Management 505-476-7873 joe.baca@state.nm.us