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Virus Pandemic Preparedness Guide – Are You Ready for a Pandemic like Coronavirus?

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The recent spread of coronavirus or Asian avian influenza in Asia and Europe, coupled with the fact that there has been no influenza pandemic for 36 years, is causing concern about the possibility of an outbreak. Many people wonder how real the threat is. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a wide range of diseases. In humans, they cause respiratory infections, ranging from a common cold to a severe lung infection, which causes acute respiratory distress.

A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was discovered and described in China. This new coronavirus has since caused a global epidemic (pandemic) of “coronavirus disease 2019,” called COVID-19. If a pandemic were to occur, how well would we be able to deal with it? What are the natural precautions to take against Coronavirus and other viruses?

Read This Virus Pandemic Preparedness Guide for answers to some important questions.

What exactly is an influenza pandemic like coronavirus?

Each year, a flu vaccine is developed to prevent or reduce the impact of influenza. This vaccine is made from the three known influenza virus strains (influenza A, B and C viruses). However, if a completely different new viral strain suddenly struck, people would be little or possibly not immune to it.

This would pose a serious health hazard, including receptivity to infections, pneumonia and even death, and more seriously, the possibility that the virus could spread rapidly to the entire population. A pandemic is the spread of a disease on a large scale. In the case of a pandemic, there would likely be three successive waves of epidemics spread over several months.

Historical evolution of Coronavirus

Although there is no real indicator, pandemics typically appear once in a generation. In previous centuries, there have been three pandemics: in 1918, 1957 and 1968, respectively. The “Spanish flu” of 1918 was particularly virulent, killing some 20 million people.

According to the Centers for Disease Dontrol and Prevention (U.S. government agency), “the 1957-58 and 1968-69 pandemics were caused by viruses containing genes from the human influenza virus. Combined with those of the avian influenza virus. It appears that the 1918-1919 pandemic virus was of avian origin.”

Since there has not been a pandemic in 36 years, experts believe that we are objectively subject to the next one. It is Coronavirus, the new virus that swept the world.

Bird flu (bird)

Although avian influenza has killed millions of birds and other animals in Asia, it has not spread in large numbers to humans. That said, if a person with influenza was infected with avian influenza at the same time, a mixture of the two viruses could trigger its spread in humans and eventually lead to a pandemic.

The World Health Organization has therefore launched the production of a vaccine against H5N1 (influenza A viruses identified in humans in Asia in 2004 and 2005) as a preventive measure to counter a possible avian influenza pandemic.

Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic

Since December 2019, an outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus has spread from China. Overcoming Mucoviscidosis is the work of the utmost caution and ensures the progress of viral circulation on French territory, step by step, in order to provide the necessary answers to patients and their loved ones.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the last coronavirus that was discovered. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The association would like to recall the universal protection measures to be adopted for all, especially for patients, cystic fibrosis being most likely a risk factor for infection.

pandemic survival



There is no way to prevent a pandemic. It is also difficult to correctly predict when it would arrive. Nevertheless, measures are being taken to minimize its effects and at the same time reduce the number of people at risk of dying from it. Governments around the world have developed strategies to prepare for a possible new pandemic.

Two coronaviruses have in the past caused serious outbreaks in humans: SARS-CoV responsible for a global SARS outbreak between November 2002 and July 2003, and MERS-CoV, first identified in 2012 in the Middle East.

Priority forms of action can be vaccine inoculation and the use of antiviral drugs.

Vaccines

Canada has signed contracts with companies to develop an H5N1 vaccine.

In fact, however, an effective pandemic vaccine cannot be manufactured until the virus has appeared. The virus should first be analyzed and it would take some time to create an adequate vaccine for the strain of the new virus.

Antiviral drugs

Reports indicate that Canada is planning the creation of a national antiviral stockpile, comprising approximately 16 million Tamiflu® tablets (oseltamivir phosphate), which would only be sufficient to treat 1.6 million people.

The tablets should be rationed, and given priority to groups of health care workers, emergency departments and people hospitalized for influenza.

How to Protect Yourself Against Viruses

Go out at times when there are the least people

To avoid contact with as few people as possible and therefore reduce the risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, you can try going to the supermarket or pharmacy early in the morning or between 12pm and 2pm, when most people Lunch.

Wash your hands before going out and going home

Before going out, remember to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, rubbing well under your fingernails and between your fingers. This very simple barrier measure can kill viruses. Just when you get home, wash your hands again.
If you have antibacterial gel, take it with you. The latter will be useful for disinfecting your hands once your shopping is over.

Respect distances

Keep a distance of 1 meter with other people you may meet, especially in queues. This means that if you meet someone on the route you know, you won’t have to shake their hand or kiss them.
As a reminder, coronavirus 2019 or Covid-19 is transmitted through close contacts.

I have to go to the pharmacy, is it riskier?

In case you need to go to the pharmacy to retrieve treatment that does not involve coronavirus, apply the barrier measures. While this can be a source of anxiety, try to stay calm. Just because you go to the pharmacy, doesn’t mean you’re going to meet positive people at Covid-19 or you’re going to get it. If you respect the safety distances of 1 meter and wash your hands while avoiding touching your face, you don’t have to worry about that more than that.

Virus Pandemic Preparedness Guide

It is concluded that if an influenza pandemic occurs, its severity will depend on the preventive measures put in place by governments and the level of preparedness of companies. It will also depend on scientific progress in terms of vaccine development and production capacity. He should not forget the psychological impact that the pandemic would have on the population. The latter will largely define the rate of absenteeism.

Therefore, it is necessary for the financial sector to prepare for a certain eventuality. This includes the development of a reliable business continuity plan that is appropriate for an influenza pandemic. It must also cover the estimate of the impact of this risk on the institution. Aware of the challenges of managing this risk, the Authority asks financial institutions under its supervision to draw on the elements of this document to develop their own approaches.

The main objective from this Virus Pandemic Preparedness Guide is to be effective in preparing for all eventualities, regardless of the severity of the influenza pandemic.

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