Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan

On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the pandemic alert was raised to the Phase 6 on the alert scale, the highest level, to indicate that a pandemic caused by the influenza A (H1N1) swine flu virus was in progress. However, WHO stressed that Phase 6 indicated the geographic spread of the virus; it did not represent an indication of increased severity. 

Until recently, experts believed that the next pandemic would evolve from the highly pathogenic H5H1 virus and cripple the nation.  Fortunately, H1N1 2009 was a much less pathogenic virus than anticipated. The H1N1 2009 was found to be no more contagious than the seasonal flu, with a global attack rate of between 11% -21%, and the severity index was no more severe than the normal seasonal flu.  Most people recovered from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.  Although high levels of disease occurred in some local areas and institutions, overall hospitals and health care systems in most countries were able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care.

Beginning in 2005, Maine CDC and others developed their Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan based on the probability of the occurrence of a pandemic strain with a much higher severity index rate such as H5H1 rather than H1N1 of 2009, which had a much lower severity index. The Plan has been revised and designed to be adaptable and scalable to facilitate a customized response depending on the severity and transmissibility of the circulating novel virus. 

Also of note in this revision:

  • The Plan includes a refinement of both the Maine Levels and Maine Pandemic Periods, which serve as a more precise set of “trigger points” for suggested actions relevant to a pandemic in Maine
  • The Post Pandemic Recovery Period is more fully developed
  • The planning Assumptions have been updated
  • The Lessons Learned derived from the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009 experience have been identified and incorporated in to the Plan to strengthen Maine’s readiness for, response to, and recovery from a future pandemic event
  • Several new Supplements have been added to the Plan to enrich the reference, and to be consistent with the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan.

That said, the Plan outlines ME CDC strategies to reduce pandemic influenza-related morbidity and mortality, as well as to reduce anticipated social/economic disruption. 

Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan:

  • Base Plan (PDF)
  • Functional Annexes
    • Annex 1. Public Health Surveillance (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 2. Laboratory Diagnostics (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 3. Healthcare Planning
    • Annex 4. Infection Control (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 5. Clinical Guidelines (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 6. Vaccine Distribution and Use (Word | PDF)
      • (For distribution also see Annex 7. Part 2. Antiviral Distribution)
    • Annex 7. Antiviral Drug Distribution and Use
      • Part 1. Antiviral Use (Word | PDF)
      • Part 2. Antiviral Distribution (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 8. Community Disease Control and Prevention (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 9. Managing Travel-Related Risk of Disease Transmission (not available at this time)
    • Annex 10. Public Health Communications (Word | PDF)
    • Annex 11. Community and Workforce Support: Psychological Considerations and Information Needs (Word | PDF)
  • Hazard Specific Annex
    • Pandemic Influenza Mass Fatality Management Plan (Word | PDF)
  • Related Document
    • ME CDC H1N1 Pandemic After-Action Report (Word | PDF)