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Companies Advised to Take Actions to Mitigate Flu-related Business Disruptions
Intelligence firm iJET anticipates severe flu season, issues pandemic preparedness advisory and advice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses its actions and goals related to H1N1 flu in this video posted April 30, 2009.
Annapolis, MD — October 26, 2009 — Companies should examine and activate pandemic preparedness plans in advance of what the intelligence firm iJET Intelligent Risk Systems forecasts will be a severe 2009-2010 flu season augmented by the ongoing H1N1 (2009) virus pandemic.
iJET is, a provider of global intelligence and business resiliency services. The firm said its predictive intelligence and advice can help multinational organizations avoid potential disruptions that may ensue as the virus continues to spread across the globe, affecting more employees and business operations.
According to iJET, businesses should prepare to overcome significant disruptions from employee absence due to illness and the multiplied effects that these absences can have on supply chains, efficiency and normal business operations. Businesses operating in enclosed locations such as offices, where flu viruses can more readily spread and infect employees, may be particularly impacted this flu season.
"Though public health officials are optimistic that the impact of the H1N1 pandemic in the Northern Hemisphere during the 2009-2010 flu season will be less dramatic than originally anticipated, H1N1 will multiply the effects from the seasonal flu, increasing the threat to normal business operations," said Steve Hoffman, iJET's CEO. "Companies should use this opportunity to test pandemic preparedness policies and plans. Decisive pandemic planning can significantly mitigate business disruptions and protect the health and wellbeing of employees."
While health officials have dialed back expectations for the severity of the impact of the H1N1 virus, the virus combined with the normal impact of the seasonal flu remain potent threats for business continuity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population are infected with seasonal influenza each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from its complications, and approximately 36,000 people die each year. With more people infected by the novel strain of H1N1, iJET forecasts an increase in infection rates and hospitalizations.
The H1N1 virus presents a unique set of threats. Children, young people and younger workers are more significantly affected by the H1N1 virus due to an underdeveloped immunity to this particular strain. Companies should prepare for greater than normal employee absenteeism this flu season, in part because illness among children often leads to absent employees who must tend to their healthcare and wellbeing.
Additionally, the effects of the H1N1 virus could be felt for years to come. Health officials anticipate that the virus will be a part of flu seasons for the next few years until the global population develops a sufficient immunity to it. For this reason, companies should develop, review and practice pandemic preparedness plans to mitigate the ongoing effects of the virus for this flu season and for subsequent flu seasons as well.
iJET is, a provider of global intelligence and business resiliency services. The firm said its predictive intelligence and advice can help multinational organizations avoid potential disruptions that may ensue as the virus continues to spread across the globe, affecting more employees and business operations.
According to iJET, businesses should prepare to overcome significant disruptions from employee absence due to illness and the multiplied effects that these absences can have on supply chains, efficiency and normal business operations. Businesses operating in enclosed locations such as offices, where flu viruses can more readily spread and infect employees, may be particularly impacted this flu season.
"Though public health officials are optimistic that the impact of the H1N1 pandemic in the Northern Hemisphere during the 2009-2010 flu season will be less dramatic than originally anticipated, H1N1 will multiply the effects from the seasonal flu, increasing the threat to normal business operations," said Steve Hoffman, iJET's CEO. "Companies should use this opportunity to test pandemic preparedness policies and plans. Decisive pandemic planning can significantly mitigate business disruptions and protect the health and wellbeing of employees."
While health officials have dialed back expectations for the severity of the impact of the H1N1 virus, the virus combined with the normal impact of the seasonal flu remain potent threats for business continuity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population are infected with seasonal influenza each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from its complications, and approximately 36,000 people die each year. With more people infected by the novel strain of H1N1, iJET forecasts an increase in infection rates and hospitalizations.
The H1N1 virus presents a unique set of threats. Children, young people and younger workers are more significantly affected by the H1N1 virus due to an underdeveloped immunity to this particular strain. Companies should prepare for greater than normal employee absenteeism this flu season, in part because illness among children often leads to absent employees who must tend to their healthcare and wellbeing.
Additionally, the effects of the H1N1 virus could be felt for years to come. Health officials anticipate that the virus will be a part of flu seasons for the next few years until the global population develops a sufficient immunity to it. For this reason, companies should develop, review and practice pandemic preparedness plans to mitigate the ongoing effects of the virus for this flu season and for subsequent flu seasons as well.
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