Is Bird Flu Something to be Worried About?

A magnified view of the Bird Flu Virus

The short answer is yes. Bird flu is very different than other types of disruptions for one main reason - the disruption would last at least three months or as as long as twelve months. The long term consequences of such a disruption calls for special planning. The probability may be similar to other potential natural or man-made disasters, but the downside is so serious that any business not prepared, is sure to be OUT-OF-BUSINESS.

The business impact may be felt
in a variety of ways:

• Key personnel may be unavailable for lengthy periods and many people may choose to stay at home rather than risk exposure
• People will need to access information – communication systems may fail
• Offices may be closed voluntarily or by health authorities
• Transportation systems may be disrupted
• Movement of people may be restricted
• Suppliers may be forced to close
• Customer base may decline as client organizations are forced to close, or people avoid populated environments such as shopping centers
• Law and order may suffer
• Authorities may not be able to cope if numbers of sick and dying exceed expectations (who would have believed the chaos of New Orleans ?)

So What Can We Do?

• Develop resilient communication systems-- this must be a priority
• Plan for flexible work practices and schedules
• Implement effective remote access to all business information
• Have Tamiflu (anti-flu medication) available to all employees
• Streamline all internal operations and cash flow
• Review your outside service providers
• Review your customer base and other income producing operations
• Review security measure
• Examine legal, regulatory and insurance policies

It is worth noting that many of the issues potentially arising from a pandemic would also apply to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) incident and to a major flood incident. A pandemic and a flood would both include warning periods although, as we have recently seen in the USA that does not always guarantee an effective response. In the case of a CBRN incident there would be no warning.
 

Bird Flu Resources Center for Disease Control US Gov. Pandemic News Bloomberg on Bird Flu US Dept. of Agriculture State & Local Planning/Response Homeland Security US Dept. of State White House Pandemic Alerts Recognizing the Flu