Pandemic Flu & Schools Frank Kwan Director, Communications Los Angeles County Office of Education

Overview What Is A Pandemic? Seasonal Flu Avian Flu School Impact

What Causes Pandemic Flu? Start Of New Flu Virus Passes Easily From Person To Person Few People Have Any Immunity Against Virus Spreads Widely, Easily & Causes More Serious Illness

Influenza Pandemics 20 th Century Worldwide Outbreak 1918: Spanish Flu m Dead 675,000 US 1957: Asian Flu 1-4 m Dead 70,000 US 1968: Hong Kong Flu 1-4 m Dead 34,000 US

Is A Pandemic Going To Happen? Matter Of Time Until Next Flu Pandemic Timing & Severity Cannot Be Predicted Unpredictable - Not Same Way As “Seasonal” Flu

Seasonal Vs. Pandemic Flu SeasonalPandemic Flu When Yearly Winter Temperate Climates Time to time through history

Seasonal Vs. Pandemic Flu SeasonalPandemic Flu Immune Previous Exposure Little or no pre- existing immunity

Seasonal Vs. Pandemic Flu SeasonalPandemic Flu Affects Healthy adults not at risk Very young, elderly & those with underlying health conditions at increased risk for complications Healthy & all ages may be at risk

Seasonal Vs. Pandemic Flu SeasonalPandemic Flu Vaccine Vaccine based on known virus strains Vaccine not available in early stages of pandemic

What Is Influenza? Illness Caused By Virus Affects Nose Throat & Lungs Can Spread Rapidly From Person To Person

How Do People Get Sick With Flu? Spread Person-to-person Large Droplets Caused By Coughing & Sneezing Breathing In Droplets Touching Objects / Surfaces Touching Eyes / Nose / Mouth

Happy Birthday Solution

Avian Flu Form Of Influenza Virus That Usually Only Infects Birds Cases Where Spread From Birds To Humans Rare/Uncommon There Are No Bird Or Human Cases In U.S Bird Flu H5N1 Not Pandemic

Where Is Bird Flu Found? Cases Of Bird Flu (H5N1) Mostly In Asia Almost All Had Direct Contact With Infected Poultry Close Contact With Domesticated Birds  Farms  Backyard Flocks  Live Bird Markets

Why So Much Attention On H5N1? Experts Are Concerned H5N1 Virus Mutates Into Pandemic Virus Ongoing Human Infection With H5N1 Virus In Countries With Poor And Difficult Protective Measures H5N1 Virus Continues To Spread Among Birds U.S. Along Flyways Of Migratory Birds

Alaska

W.H.O. Pandemic Stages Phase 1:Interpandemic Period NO NEW VIRUSES in human.s Low risk of human cases. Phase 2:Interpandemic Period New ANIMAL VIRUS, no human cases. Increased but low risk of human cases. Phase 3:Pandemic Alert Period HUMAN INFECTIONS new subtype; rare human-to-human spread. Phase 4:Pandemic Alert Period SMALL CLUSTERS human-to-human transmission; virus adapted to human, spread is localized. Phase 5:Pandemic Alert Period LARGE CLUSTERS of human-to-human transmission; spread localized. Phase 6:PANDEMIC SUSTAINED transmission; throughout general population.

Affects Communities & Businesses Many People Could Become Sick At The Same Time  Unable To Go To Work Many Stay At Home  Care For Sick Family Members Large Group Gatherings Canceled Public Transportation Scarce Schools And Businesses Might Close  Prevent Disease Spread

Range of Situations Affects Up to 30% of Population Absenteeism CDC Recommendation

CDC Recommendation P Dismissal STAGE 5/6

CDC Recommendation Dismissal W.H.O. Stage 5 / 6 Trigger: First Confirmed CA Case Simultaneous Dismissal All Public / Private Schools / Childcare Programs Colleges / Universities 8 – 12 Weeks Check Own State Public Health

Why? One Patient’s Journey Waiting Room ERLab Coroner Hospital 2 days in hospital: 174 contacts 70 ZIP codes, 3 states outside of CA

Impact Of Statewide Dismissal California – 6.6 Million Public & Private School Students “Social Distancing” Out Of School No “Re-congregating”  Malls  Libraries  Parks Social Disruption Long Term

Issues - Dismissal District – wide Planning What Happens With Students? Instructional Alternatives? Operations & Fiscal Impact? Continue Pay Staff? Union Agreements? How To Support Parents?

Instructional Options Independent Study At-Home Learning Packets Broadcast  Public Radio Networks Web Based Instruction  Lesson Plans Informal Group Learning Teacher Contracts

Operational Continuity ADA – Funding? Cross Train / Redundancy District Mutual Aid  MOUs Include Pandemic Flu In Emergency Plans Training / Exercises Build Understanding & Awareness

Psychosocial Issues School Staff Concern About Children & Family Constant Pressure To Keep Performing Domestic Pressures Caused By School Closures Difficulty Maintaining Self-care Fear Of Contagion & Transmitting To Others

Additional Factors Lack Of Information Or Misinformation Loss Of Faith In Health Institutions Mass Casualties And Death Among Children Belief That Resources Are Not Available Personal Resiliency To Stressors

Crisis Communications What Happened?  Confirm Facts  Update When Possible What Does It Mean To Me?  Address Audience’s Fears What Are You Doing About It?  Explain Planning  Outline Time Frames  Set Realistic Expectations

Communications Focus On Facts – Not Fear Messages Balanced & Rational Monitor Current Phase Of Pandemic  Local Health Agencies  Share Information Involve School Community Plan Strategies  Community Partners

Just A Scare?

Reputation Management Key Messages Credibility Build Trust & Confidence Acknowledge Realities Responsible Planning  Safety of Children & Families Next Public Health Emergency

Resources

ReadyCaSchools.org Federal / State / County Resources Area Specific  Preschool  K-12  Colleges & Universities  Home & Family

Prevention Lesson Plans Skits Focus:  Washing Hands

Preparedness Emergency Kits Sample Toolkits Letters to Parents

Response Announce Closures / Dismissals Crisis Management

Recovery Counseling Guides Letters

Questions?

Thank You Frank Kwan Los Angeles County Office of Education