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Pandemic Influenza Planning – preparing for a quickly moving strain for which people have no immunity, and which is estimated to reach us within the next 5 years according to experts.

Dr. Kim Barker from the AFN presented the following information on Pandemic Influenza Planning.

Background

• Pandemic Influenza is an epidemic that reaches across the world 3-4 times a century
• It is always a new strain for which people have no immunity
• It moves quickly and can infect everyone causing severe illness and death
• It will take 3 months to develop a vaccine once the epidemic begins
• According to experts, a pandemic is estimated to occur within the next 5-10 years
• Unless substantial efforts in the preparation of communities for such an emergency outbreak are achieved, the risk of devastation is high
• The expanding geographical presence of avian influenza in birds (referred to as the H5N1 strain) around the world is of concern as it creates further opportunities for human exposure
• Each additional human case increase opportunities for the virus to improve its transmissibility
• The emergence of an H5N1 strain that is readily transmitted among humans would mark the start of a pandemic
• The illness rate is expected to range widely but at least a 30-40% rate. (This means that 30-40% of your community will be unwell and 30-40% of your leaders and staff will be ill and unable to work).

Preparedness Status

• Since 2002, Health Canada have transferred over $2 million dollars to FNIHB Regions to assist First Nations communities with Pandemic Planning
• Most of this work has been in the form of one-to-two day training sessions for individual community members
• These community members are then tasked with returning to their community and:
• developing a community plan
• integrating their plan with their local Provincial Health Authorities;
• testing the plan;
• updating the plan annually.
• No funding for these activities have been available to date for most communities.
• Nationally, the Public Health Agency of Canada has taken the lead to develop a National Plan, including the purchasing of vaccines and the stockpiling of antiviral drugs
• Each Province and Territory are responsible for developing their own regional plan together with provincial and territorial emergency operations.
• These Provincial and Territorial plans are meant to be used by Health Regions and Municipalities to develop emergency preparedness plans at the local level.
• Very little inclusion of First Nations in the development of these plans has occurred across the country.
• A recent survey by the AFN of communities across the country has revealed that less than half of communities have developed plans and almost none have tested them
• If Kashechewan is an indication of how prepared the Federal Government is to handle an emergency, then we must act now to ensure FN community preparedness.

Roles and Responsibilities

• First Nation leaders and their delegated health authorities are responsible for making sure there is adequate planning at the community level
• Emergency jurisdictions, especially in the area of public health remains ambiguous
• Clear written agreements need to be drawn up with other jurisdictions to ensure that support and resources are made available as communities need it
• To rely on FNIHB/INAC is not recommended.

Next Steps

• Ensure that there is an individual within your community who has the responsibility of developing the plan
• Request an update of the status of the plan including the need for additional resources
• Initiate communication with other jurisdictions (Province, Regional Health Authority or Public Health Unit) to ensure clarity on roles, responsibilities and anticipated support during a pandemic
• The AFN will continue to lobby for additional funds for communities
• AFN can act as a resource to support the community in ensuring they are in touch with the right people.

Questions & Answers Related to the Above Presentation

• What is to be included in the plan?
  - Answer – outline key activities using a template available from AFN or FNIHB.  Communicate with the school, health programs, police, fire, FNIHB in identifying resources and making a plan for mortuary facilities, storage of large quantities of vaccines, closing the school to use as a treatment and holding centre for the ill etc.
• What other supports are available through AFN?
  - Answer – raise awareness and lobby for resources including equipment and supplies
• Are our geese safe to eat?
  - Answer – The Canadian Food Security Agency is testing birds and no positive birds are in Canada at this time
• Will we have priority access to vaccines?
  - Answer – A priority listing has been created for Canada which is listed by job description (the Prime Minister is at the top of the list and Health Care Workers are next)

Six Nations has developed a comprehensive plan and an emergency preparedness plan and is willing to share their plan.

No template link is available at this time.