Summary of Ottawa's Interagency Influenza Pandemic Plan

In September 2005, Ottawa Public Health formally launched Ottawa's first Interagency Influenza Plan. This plan is unique in that it coordinates the response plans of Ottawa Public Health, the City's Office of Emergency Management and all essential city services, hospitals, long-term care facilities and community-based health care providers. The following summary of this plan defines an influenza pandemic, reports the potential impact this could have on Ottawa, outlines the interagency response strategy, and identifies what people can do if and when a pandemic occurs. This plan not only coordinates with multiple local agencies and service providers but is also designed to effectively coordinate with provincial, federal and international plans.

What is an influenza pandemic?

Influenza (or "flu") is an acute viral illness that spreads easily from person to person. A pandemic can occur when a new influenza virus moves rapidly around the world, causing illness and even death. A pandemic could be a global health emergency. This is different from the influenza that occurs each winter, for which there is greater immunity in the population, and affects fewer people.

Pandemics typically occur in waves. A first wave is expected to last six to eight weeks, and then another can occur months later. The most likely cause of a pandemic is avian influenza or "bird flu" that undergoes a genetic change to become infectious in humans.

Can a pandemic be averted?

It is not considered possible to stop the spread of a pandemic virus once it has started. It is possible to slow the spread and minimize the consequences of an influenza pandemic through advance preparation.

Is there a treatment available?

Once a pandemic virus has been detected, it's expected a vaccine will be available but it may take several months to develop, test, manufacture and distribute. There is a limited supply of antiviral medications that the province is currently stockpiling. These medications will be given to hospitalized patients and front-line health care workers. Thus, many people will need to recuperate at home with basic rest, fluids and supportive care.

How could an influenza pandemic impact Ottawa?

It is estimated an influenza pandemic could affect between 15 to 35 per cent of the population. This would likely cause a range of illnesses, from a serious "flu" with complete recovery to illness complicated by pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. If 25 per cent of the population was affected and the pandemic lasted seven weeks, these are the anticipated numbers of pandemic influenza cases per week in Ottawa:

• 30,000 new cases per week
• 16,000 people seeking medical assessment
• 350 hospitalizations
• 80 deaths

These numbers are only rough estimates. It's important to realize people who are not hospitalized could still be quite sick for up to three weeks. It's clear such an outbreak will place huge demands on families, community services and the entire health care system. Health care systems could be quickly overburdened, economies strained, and social order disrupted. During a pandemic it will be imperative to keep health care workers as healthy as possible.

What would happen in Ottawa in the event of a pandemic?

Ottawa could be affected within days and likely no more than three months from the time a pandemic is first declared by the World Health Organization. During an emergency, the City's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) would be set up. Ottawa's interagency response includes measures such as:

• Early detection - to identify and report cases of pandemic influenza.
• Telephone triage services - so those with symptoms can be assessed and linked to appropriate services, either for medical assessment or support services at home.
• Assessment centres - to medically assess those with severe symptoms.
• Isolation centres - to care for the severely ill.
• Public education and communication - to ensure the public knows what is happening, what they can do and where they can go for help.
• Public health measures - including best practices in respiratory infection control, and if necessary population based measures, such as widespread use of masks and social distancing.
• Trained volunteer services - to help with groceries, meals and general support for those convalescing at home.
• Mass vaccination clinics - when vaccine becomes available.
• Maintenance of essential city services - such as police, fire, paramedics and emergency social services.

The city is prepared. It continues working with all levels of governments and is taking every necessary step to prepare for a pandemic. Everyone can do his or her part to be prepared; this is the key to success in reducing the risk of an influenza pandemic.

What you can do:

The best way to protect yourself against an influenza pandemic is to develop healthy habits that prevent all colds and flus:

• Use a tissue or your upper arm to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to cleanse your hands after coughing or sneezing and before eating.
• Get your annual flu vaccine. The less human influenza virus circulating in the population, the less chance there will be for mixing with other influenza virus strains.
• Be informed. Know an influenza pandemic could happen and discuss with family and friends how you might support each other during such a time.
• Consider training as a volunteer.

For further information or to obtain a copy of Ottawa's Interagency Influenza Pandemic Plan in Adobe PDF format, please send your request to healthsante@ottawa.ca or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656).