CARE Prepares Staff to Manage Against Flu in Poor Communities

ATLANTA (May 1, 2009) - With the knowledge that an influenza pandemic could decimate poor communities in the developing world, CARE has issued directives for preparedness for its international personnel. The coordination and planning are based on years of experience with global health emergencies, including ongoing response to the avian flu over the last four years ago.

"Although we cannot make any predictions about the spread and impact of this swine influenza virus outbreak, we believe it is important to focus now on improving staff safety and security plans and emergency preparedness planning in case of a pandemic. While we should take appropriate precautionary steps, it is also important that we not overreact and remain well-coordinated," CARE's Senior Director of Health Programs, Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, told the staff.

Since 2005 CARE has maintained a network of avian and pandemic influenza point persons to help prepare staff and implement safety measures in affected communities during outbreaks of avian influenza. CARE implements programs in Asia, Africa and Central America to respond to the ongoing avian influenza outbreaks and other emerging diseases that health experts believe could cause a global health crisis. These programs help remote communities across the world recognize new disease outbreaks (such as H1N1 influenza, or swine flu) and mobilize quickly to respond and report outbreaks to health authorities. This contributes to the global community's ability to control, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks early.

In health emergencies like this where there is no vaccine, "prevention and adaptation are our primary tools," Dr. Schwartz said. "An influenza outbreak is not just a health emergency in poor countries that have few, if any, health facilities and medicine; it also has the potential to disrupt economies and food supplies that are already fragile," he added. "Whatever we can do to stem the spread of the H1N1 virus, the better chance we have of averting a crisis that could plunge people more deeply into poverty."

CARE is in partnership with major humanitarian actors, coordinating a response to the current crisis and preparing communities in developing countries for the next possible phase, a pandemic.