A pandemic could cripple Alaska economy: prepare in case of catastrophe.

• Author: Ashley, Scott

It is predicted that we are due any day for the next pandemic influenza. Over the past 1,000 years, a pandemic has occurred every 10 to 50 years. The most recent pandemics to hit American soil killed more than 600,000 Americans in 1918, 1957 and 1968. During 1918's "Great Pandemic," Alaskan Territorial Gov. Thomas Riggs Jr. imposed a maritime quarantine to protect citizens, but that did not stop the spread of the flu from the Lower 48 states. Some Alaska villages were wiped out entirely and others suffered losses of 85 percent of their populations. Those who were not killed by the virus froze to death and others starved.

Despite the fact that Alaska is geographically isolated from the rest of the country, it does not mean that the state is immune to infection. "When it comes to pandemics, there is no rational basis to believe that the early years of the 21st century will be different than the past," said Mike Leavitt, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2006. If a pandemic strikes again, it will affect all states.

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Alaska's economy could lose $2.6 billion due to a severe pandemic flu, according to a study conducted by the Trust for America's Health. The state's gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to drop 6.59 percent, the third highest anticipated percentage loss of all 50 states, trailing only Nevada and Hawaii. A projected 192,000 Alaskans could fall ill and 4,000 more could die, the study reported.

Despite the prediction that Alaska's economy could suffer greater economic losses than 47 states, the state ranks 48th in terms of funds allocated for pandemic preparations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The federal government has indicated numerous times that, while it will provide support during a pandemic, the ultimate responsibility for flu pandemic preparedness lies with individual states. The state government has a plan in place to prepare for a pandemic. As a business owner, have you prepared your organization to continue operations during a flu outbreak? Will you know what to do if 40 percent of your work force is unable to come to work, either because they or their families are sick or because they are afraid of getting sick from others?

It is imperative that Alaska businesses prepare for the possibility of pandemic just as they need to prepare for any other emergency situation. Useful criteria to consider when analyzing your organization's readiness for a pandemic...