Pandemic Preparedness

Algoma EMS Paramedics Prepare for Influenza Pandemic

Thessalon, ON – 2005-11-15, 11:15 hrs

Algoma District Paramedic Services have begun preparing their Paramedics for a possible global outbreak, known as a pandemic, of a new influenza strain.

Algoma District Paramedic Services, operated by the Algoma District Services Administration Board, provides Paramedic services and emergency medical coverage to the communities of Elliot Lake, Blind River, Thessalon, Richards Landing, Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River and Hornepayne, as well as their surrounding areas.

“It is imperative that we prepare our people now for the inevitable”, said Paul Guertin,Algoma District Paramedic Services Public Information Officer. Guertin is the supervisor in charge of Quality Assurance and Staff Development.

“Outbreaks of new, mutated strains of influenza have historically occurred every 27 years. It has now been 36 years since the last pandemic so I guess you could say we’re overdue”, said Guertin.

What makes an influenza outbreak a pandemic is that the illness is caused by a new strain of the virus to which people have no immunity. The virus is contagious and is transmitted from person to person relatively easily, typically through coughing and sneezing. The influenza virus can live for 24 to 48 hours on hard, non-porous surfaces such as doorknobs and keyboards, 8 to 12 hours on tissues, cloth and paper and 5 minutes on a person’s unwashed hands. The lack of human immunity and the ease of transmission result in a worldwide outbreak.

“As we saw with SARS, the spread of disease from one side of the world to the other in today’s global community can happen relatively quickly. SARS was a real wake-up call for us.”

As part of their continuing medical education program,Algoma District Paramedic Services paramedics will be taking part in training designed to heighten their awareness of the presence of influenza in the community as well as how to react to it. Guertin developed the training to help paramedics best protect themselves, their patients and other healthcare workers from exposure to the virus not only during a pandemic but also on a day-to-day basis.

“Our paramedics will be able to apply best practice with regard to identifying and treating potential influenza victims and properly protecting themselves from the disease. We will be reinforcing the appropriate patient care procedures and personal protective equipment that our men and women can employ to best limit the spread of disease”, said Guertin. “You cannot stop a pandemic but you can try to control it.”

Experts estimate that approximately 30 per cent of any workforce would likely be off work during the peak of a pandemic, either ill or caring for loved ones. As frontline providers of healthcare in the community, paramedics are especially vulnerable to exposure.

“There are a number of reasons why we want our paramedics protected from influenza. First and foremost we never want to see any of our people get sick. From an operational point of view, no EMS agency can afford to have 30 per cent of their staff off work, especially during a pandemic when the need for Paramedic services is likely to increase exponentially. Moreover, we do not want our Paramedics to be unwittingly spreading disease throughout the community.”

While a pandemic may not occur this year or even next year, if history has taught us anything it’s that one will occur. With the striking rise of avian influenza infection throughout Southeast Asia and most recently into parts of Europe, some wonder if a pandemic can really be that far off.

“It’s always best to be prepared”, said Guertin.