Acronym

On June 11, 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.

Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide; however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

Given ongoing novel H1N1 activity to date, CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this pandemic in the United States over the summer and into the fall and winter. The novel H1N1 virus, in conjunction with regular seasonal influenza viruses, poses the potential to cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths during the U.S. influenza season.

As many of us prepare to host annual conventions and expos this fall, now’s the time to consider issues of emergency preparedness. At its core, emergency preparedness is an issue of social responsibility. As meeting professionals and association executives, we are obligated to make decisions and take actions that will enhance the welfare and interests of not only our members, but of the general public, as well. As we consider the number of people who will travel to our next major event, can we honestly say that we’re adequately prepared for an outbreak of H1N1? What about any number of other crisis scenarios that could affect our next meeting or expo?

Take a moment to reflect on your association’s emergency preparedness. How prepared are you? What crisis scenarios have you experienced first-hand? Was your crisis response plan successful? What did it look like? What would you do differently given the chance? What resources would you recommend to others who are just now considering issues of emergency preparedness?