Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Management Plan

              What is the Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Management Plan?
An influenza pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges causing illness in a large number of people in several countries worldwide. A pandemic indicates the geographic spread of disease and not its severity. Historically, an average of three influ-enza pandemics occur each century. Prior to the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, the last occurred from 1968-69. Be-cause of the larger number of ill people, the influenza pandemic may strain existing health resources. The Oklahoma State De-partment of Health’s (OSDH) Pandemic Influenza Committee developed a management plan to address the public health re-sponse to a pandemic of influenza. It is intended to be a resource document for public health preparedness at the state, re-gional, and local level to help maximize and distribute available resources.
What are the purpose and the goals of the plan?
The overall goals of the Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Management Plan are to: reduce disease and death among Oklahomans during a serious influenza season; minimize disruption in basic facilities and services as well as the subsequent economic impact that may occur during an influenza pandemic; assist and facilitate preparedness in the health care systems within the state; provide a comprehensive and dynamic plan that will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis; and assist and facilitate appropriate planning and response at the local, regional, and state level.
What specifically does the Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Management Plan address?
The plan addresses disease surveillance, emergency management, vaccine and antiviral medication delivery, communication activities, and response coordination among multiple agencies. The essential elements of the plan are described in ten chap-ters which are: 1) command and management; 2) surveillance and laboratory diagnostics; 3) delivery of vaccine; 4) acquisition and delivery of antiviral medications; 5) health systems emergency response; 6) community disease control and prevention; 7) infection prevention and control; 8) clinical guidelines; 9) risk communication; and 10) workforce psychosocial support.
What is addressed in the element of command and management?
A pandemic of influenza will require strong and decisive leadership by knowledgeable public health practitioners. The OSDH will lead the state response to an influenza pandemic and coordinate public health activities with other state, local and federal agencies.
What is addressed in the element of surveillance and laboratory diagnostics?
Rapid response to a pandemic will require early detection of the pandemic flu virus strain as well as an understanding of its disease distribution within the population. The OSDH Acute Disease Service (ADS) in cooperation with the Public Health Labo-ratory is responsible for conducting influenza surveillance. They work with physicians and hospitals to monitor the number of patient visits for influenza-like illness and provide laboratory assistance for virus testing and characterization. Epidemiologists in the ADS will develop and implement strategies to control the spread of the pandemic-associated illness.
What is addressed in the elements of delivery of vaccine and acquisition and delivery of antiviral medications?
At the start of a pandemic, there may be a greater demand for medication and vaccine if available. These elements outline the strategies of how and to whom the antiviral medications would be given. Supply may be limited due to the time required to produce vaccine, therefore distribution categories will be outlined to ensure that the state’s critical infrastructure, prioritiza-tion, and protection of the citizens of the state will be addressed.
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Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza
Management Plan
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet