MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 8:
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA RESPONSE ANNEX
August 2009
INTRODUCTION: An influenza pandemic is unlike any public health emergency or natural disaster. A pandemic will be widespread, with outbreaks expected to occur simultaneously throughout the U.S., thereby preventing the shifting of resources. A pandemic not only causes people throughout the world to become sick and possibly die, but also could cripple countries? economies as millions of people are unable or refuse to go to work. Governments, militaries, and industries could suffer high absenteeism (up to 40%) and productivity could slow to a crawl. The public health and healthcare systems could be overwhelmed by both the ill and the worried well. Furthermore, disruptions are expected to occur for 6 to 8 weeks. In the U.S., a pandemic could cause 30% of the population to become ill, resulting in 200 thousand to 2 million deaths. Between 300 and 700 thousand people could be hospitalized and over 20 million people would seek outpatient care. Costs could total over $100 billion.
The following chart shows the historical health impact on Maryland of a moderate and a severe influenza pandemic. Based on historical data, about 30% of the population become sick, half of whom will seek outpatient care for their illness. The number of hospitalizations and deaths vary depending on the virulence of the pandemic virus...
AND MENTAL HYGIENE
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 8:
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA RESPONSE ANNEX
August 2009
INTRODUCTION: An influenza pandemic is unlike any public health emergency or natural disaster. A pandemic will be widespread, with outbreaks expected to occur simultaneously throughout the U.S., thereby preventing the shifting of resources. A pandemic not only causes people throughout the world to become sick and possibly die, but also could cripple countries? economies as millions of people are unable or refuse to go to work. Governments, militaries, and industries could suffer high absenteeism (up to 40%) and productivity could slow to a crawl. The public health and healthcare systems could be overwhelmed by both the ill and the worried well. Furthermore, disruptions are expected to occur for 6 to 8 weeks. In the U.S., a pandemic could cause 30% of the population to become ill, resulting in 200 thousand to 2 million deaths. Between 300 and 700 thousand people could be hospitalized and over 20 million people would seek outpatient care. Costs could total over $100 billion.
The following chart shows the historical health impact on Maryland of a moderate and a severe influenza pandemic. Based on historical data, about 30% of the population become sick, half of whom will seek outpatient care for their illness. The number of hospitalizations and deaths vary depending on the virulence of the pandemic virus...