Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic
occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little
or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious
illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. A
worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the
global economy, including travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption
and eventually, investment and financial markets. Planning for
pandemic influenza by business and industry is essential to
minimize a pandemic's impact. Companies that provide critical
infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications,
also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation
in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe,
having a contingency plan is essential.