The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that globally, society is at serious risk of a pandemic influenza; in fact, a pandemic is long overdue and it is simply a matter of time. Avian influenza outbreaks in Asia, Africa and Europe in 2003 have alerted the WHO to the potential of a pandemic influenza. Now in 2009, with the pandemic outbreak of H1N1 Influenza, we are taking our plans and lessons learned from past pandemics to help plan and prepare for a worst-case pandemic scenario.

Public Health Canada, Alberta Health & Wellness with Alberta Health Services, and Emergency Management Alberta have plans and strategies for dealing with pandemic influenza. The primary goal of these organizations is to reduce the number of influenza cases and minimize disruptions to daily life by providing access to appropriate prevention, care and treatment.

During the pre-pandemic phase, all levels of government continue to encourage the public and private sector to educate their stakeholders on preventative strategies and to plan for business continuity, realizing that up to 25 to 35 per cent of staff are expected to be absent from the workforce. These plans also are to render these sectors self-reliant during the pandemic phase.

Elk Island Catholic Schools
The safety of our students and our school communities is our top priority.