Avian Influenza - Information for United Nations System Staff
Home | Basic Facts | FAQs | Resources and Links | Travel | Contact
Q&A on UN System Pandemic Preparedness
Q. Where can I find general information about avian influenza and the threat of a pandemic?
The World Health Organization provides good information about avian influenza and the possibility of a pandemic:
The Food and Agriculture Organization provides additional information, including on food safety issues:
A website has been created for UN system staff and their families:
Q. What is the UN system doing to protect its own staff from avian influenza and a possible human influenza pandemic?
• The UN system is playing a key role in containing the spread of avian influenza, thereby helping to prevent a human pandemic.
• In response to a plan issued by the UN Medical Services last year, all duty stations now have medical contingency plans.
• Pandemic planning and preparedness guidelines for the UN system have been issued to senior managers to help them take measures to protect staff.
Q. What is the UN's approach to pandemic planning and preparedness?
The Secretary General has asked each duty station to:
• Appoint an avian and human influenza coordinator to ensure that plans are prepared and preparedness is monitored.
• Ensure ongoing implementation of the UN Medical Services contingency plan
• Identify and prioritize pandemic threats and risks, risk mitigation strategies, and develop locally relevant scenarios, taking into account national planning
• Identify critical functions during a pandemic in support of
• staff health safety and security,
• critical internal operations
• pandemic critical programmes
• possible additional support to national response
• Designate and train staff and acquire resources required to maintain critical functions
• Ensure that only a small core of critical staff is required to report to work in the event of a pandemic, and that all other staff stay away from work
• Create a plan that incorporates all this as well as triggers for action
• Communicate and test the plan.
Q. Who will be critical staff?
• Critical staff will be identified by senior managers in consultation with staff members and the Designated Official at each duty station.
• Critical functions will vary according to the mandate of the entity and the local situation, but they are likely to include:
• Physical security of staff
• Medical care of staff
• Maintenance of computers and telephone services
• Communications with other Organizations and Governments
• Maintenance of electricity, water and sanitation
• Operational and policy decision-making related to the pandemic, critical operations and programme continuity
• The number of critical staff will vary among duty stations and entities depending on what critical functions need to be maintained, and the ability to safely provide them.
.
Q. Does the UN system have supplies of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) for staff members?
• The UN System has stocks of antiviral drugs for the treatment of staff directly exposed to avian influenza and, like many others, we are awaiting further supplies from the manufacturers.
• However, stockpiling of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ® ) or other antiviral drugs does not in itself constitute a strategy for preparation and protection in case of a pandemic. The effectiveness of Oseltamivir in such a scenario is still unknown, because the pandemic virus does not yet exist. A range of plans, essential behaviours and information is the best way to keep staff and their dependents safe.
Q. Will I be able to travel to my home country during a pandemic?
• Most organizations expect that international travel will be disrupted during a pandemic.
• In addition, travel during a pandemic may increase the public health risk.
• Staff and dependents may therefore be expected to remain at their duty station during the advanced stages of a pandemic.
• UN System policies on human resources, administration and travel will be disseminated soon.