Preparing for Pandemic

Preparing for Pandemic
Alberta, Canada

By SUSAN ZIELINSKI
Advocate staff
Mar 09 2007

Medical supplies and water purification kits top the list of emergency supplies that families will need to face an influenza pandemic, according to a Canadian Red Cross volunteer.

Unlike other disasters, the pandemic that will eventually strike and spread around the world will force many people to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.

That means having medical supplies to nurse family members at home and tend to minor injuries.

“You need to have basic first aid,” said Jack Burns at an influenza pandemic forum held at Red Deer College’s Art Centre on Thursday night.

“We’re going to want to avoid going to medical facilities because that’s where the sick people are.”

It’s estimated that 60 per cent of Albertans could be infected once a flu pandemic hits. One hundred to 350 people could die in the David Thompson Health Region, which has a population of about 300,000.

About 80 people attended Thursday’s forum, which focused on planning and preparedness for the health threat that Health Canada estimates could kill up to 58,000 Canadians.

Dr. Kevin Fonseca, a clinical virologist with the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health in Calgary, said the best way for people to avoid the infectious illness is to stay away from other people.

“It takes about six months to develop a vaccine so in the first part of the pandemic we are pretty naked,” said Fonseca about the virus that will probably come in waves.

It will attack communities quickly, but there are things people can do to prepare, he said.

“Education is the key,” said Fonseca at the forum sponsored by David Thompson Health Region and Red Deer College.

Burns said sanitizing lotion will be a necessity to keep hands clean without water to stop the spread of the virus.

“It’s probably the most important thing you can do for your family,” said Burns about the lotion as he showed the audience what kind of supplies were needed for a pandemic emergency kit.

He said unlike other types of disasters, emergency crews won’t be coming to the rescue. Everyone will be affected and contact with others will be limited due to the contagious virus.

“There is no help coming. We’re going to have to deal with it ourselves.”

Burns said days of isolation could turn into weeks or months. It will be difficult to store enough water for every family member so people should have water purification kits.

Water straight from the Red Deer River could be consumed if it was purified, Burns said.

Unlike a sudden weather-related disaster, people will be warned that the flu pandemic is on its way.

But Burns advised that people shouldn’t put off gathering supplies, which could be in short supply as the spread of the pandemic is announced.

Other tips include:

● Regularly filling up vehicles with gasoline when tanks are half full to have plenty of gas in case electricity is cut off and gas pumps stop working.

● Maintain full propane tanks for the barbecue for cooking.

● Keep cash on hand for when ATMs shut down.

● Store small containers of food that can be consumed quickly so food doesn’t spoil.

● Know how to drain water pipes so they don’t freeze when electricity stops.

● Keep a supply of prescription medication, batteries and special supplies for pets and infants.

“There are certain vital things you are going to want when it comes to any disaster,” Burns said.

For more information on how to prepare for the flu pandemic, visit www.health.gov.ab.ca