News
h1N1 guiDaNce oN maSS gatheriNgS
World Health organisation issues planning considerations
for pandemic
WHO has released guidance on mass gatherings during periods
of high influenza infectivity. The document, entitled “Interim
planning considerations for mass gatherings in the context of
pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza”, states that any decision to
proceed with a mass gathering or to restrict, modify, postpone, or
cancel the event should be based on a thorough risk assessment.
The document recommends that risk assessments should be
carried out in partnership with local and national public health
authorities, and adds that such assessments should take into
account available information about pandemic (H1N1) 2009
influenza at global, national and local levels.
The guidance also highlights some factors which the
organisation believes may be of particular relevance. These
include: • Age of participants: Since younger age groups appear to
• Influenza activity: The level of pandemic influenza activity be more affected, mass gathering comprised principally of
circulating in the community where the mass gathering is to be children and young adults may be associated with increased
held should be considered. However, it is difficult to predict transmission compared with those comprised of older age
the level of activity and which strains of influenza will be groups.
circulating very far in advance. WHO provides weekly updates • Occurrence of severe disease and health care capacity:
of pandemic activity. Although severe disease is uncommon, treatment of these
• Period of time over which the mass gathering will take place: patients is challenging and resource intensive with emergency
If the duration of the mass gathering is more than the typical departments and intensive care units experiencing a
incubation period for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (two to disproportionate burden.
three days), then the majority of event-associated cases would If the decision is made to proceed with a mass gathering, WHO
be expected to occur while the mass gathering is underway. advises that planning should consider measures to detect and
In contrast, if the duration of the event is shorter, most cases monitor event-related pandemic influenza; reduce spread of the
would likely occur after the event as people travel and return to pandemic virus; manage and treat ill persons and disseminate
their home communities. relevant public health messages.
= C S B U c Y \ Y U ^ S U
= C S l @ W 4 Y ` l @ W 3 U b d
D X U B U c Y \ Y U ^ S U = C S ` b _ f Y T U c ` _ \ Y S i ] Q [ U b c Q ^ T ` b Q S d Y d Y _ ^ U b c d X U \ U Q T U b c X Y `
] Q ^ Q W U ] U ^ d Q ^ T d U S X ^ Y S Q \ c [ Y \ \ c ^ U U T U T d _ ` b U ` Q b U V _ b Q f _ Y T Q ^ T b U S _ f U b
V b _ ] S b Y c U c ] _ b U U V V U S d Y f U \ i
The degree provides enhanced 2 ^ \ _ d [ b ^ a h < ^ S d [ T b X ] R [ d S T )
understanding of resilience, its context
� The resilience context
as well as individual capabilities that
� Crisis management
will assist professionals and graduates
� Developing resilient capabilities
pursuing careers in:
� Information management and
� Public service management assurance
� Emergency services � Strategy for resilience
� Armed forces � Influencing behaviour for resilience
� Corporate risk and security � Communicating risk
management
� Critical national infrastructure 4 [ T R c X e T < ^ S d [ T b R P ] X ] R [ d S T )
organisations
� Business continuity
� Organisations in the security,
� Counter-terrorism
development and humanitarian sectors
� Corporate security
Various exit routes to the MSc are offered
� The technology of resilience
and may lead to the award of a PgDip or
� Managing post-conflict challenges
a PgCert. Details available on request.
� Introduction to natural disasters
� Managing natural disasters
The course is accessible via a modular
� Military support to disaster
set up – eight weeks over two and
a half years to allow participants to
Applications from self-funded students
study in conjunction with their full time
may be eligible for a bursary not
employment.
exceeding 50% of the fees.
The next MSc Resilience course starts in
March 2010.
For more information, contact the Resilience Centre, Cranfield University, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, UK
Email: ResilienceCentre@cranfield.ac.uk | Tel:+44 (0)1793 785313 | www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/MScResilience
November/December 2009 Continuity
Cont Nov/Dec 09_insides.indd 5 27/11/09 14:11:39
Previous Page
Next Page
Smaller fonts |
Larger fonts
Go back to the flash version