Pandemic: Infectious Disease: General Information
Assumptions
For planning purposes, we need to prepare for the worst scenario. The following are assumptions for a pandemic influenza that the plan should consider.
- Prepare for a 33% absenteeism rate for students, staff and faculty.
- Expect the pandemic to last 4-8 weeks.
- Prepare for a percentage of those infected to die.
- Federal and state relief aid may not arrive in time to help.
- Expect disruptions of routine services and shortages of supplies and equipment.
- The surge capacity of our local hospitals and medical facilities will not be able to accommodate the increased health care demands.
- A vaccine against a pandemic strain of influenza will not be available for several months after the start of a pandemic. When a vaccine does become available, the demand will exceed the supply initially.
- The demand locally for anti-viral medicines will exceed the supply.
- The University can expect no more than a 48 hour advanced warning before the local Health Director issues a mass quarantine order on campus.
- A second wave of the pandemic may follow within 3-9 months.
Definitions (GS Chapter 130A-Public Health)
- Isolation Authority: The authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or actions of persons or animals that are infected or reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease or communicable condition for the period of communicability to prevent the direct or indirect conveyance of the infectious agent from the person or animal to other persons or animals who are susceptible or who may spread the agent to others.
- Quarantine Authority: The authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or action of persons or animals which have been exposed to or are reasonably suspected of having been exposed to a communicable disease or communicable condition for a period of time as may be necessary to prevent the spread of that disease. It also means the authority to issue an order to limit access by any person or animal to an area or facility that may be contaminated with an infectious agent. The term also means the authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or action of persons who have not received immunizations against a communicable disease when the State Health Director or local health director determines that the immunizations are required to control an outbreak of that disease.
- Public Health Authority:The local health department and State health directors have the authority to isolate and/or quarantine. The responsibility to enforce isolation and/or quarantine orders on University property rests with the University Police.
Planning and Coordination
Specific planning, coordination and operational procedures for a pandemic event will follow the World Health Organizations Pandemic Phases. The command and control of a pandemic event will follow the procedures outlined in the University Emergency Response Plan, except that the local Health Director, under NC law (G.S. 130A-145), is empowered to exercise quarantine and isolation authority over the University.
Pandemic Coordinator: The Director of Health Services is the University's Pandemic Coordinator and in the event that the Emergency Operations Center is activated will serve in a consulting capacity to the designated Incident Commander.
Operations Group: The following departments will make up the Operations Group and have the primary responsibility for planning and preparing the University for a Pandemic Event:
- Health Services
- Public Affairs
- Student Development (Dean of Students)
- Academic Affairs
- Housing and Residence Life
- Food Services
- University Police
- Physical Plant
- Safety & Workers' Compensation Office
- Counseling Center/Hubbard Center
- Human Resources Office
- Business Affairs (Financial Administration & Centrex)
- International Programs
- University Attorney
- Information Technology Services (ITS)
Executive Group: The Executive Group is chaired by the Chancellor or his designee and is responsible for activating this plan, and approving any modifications to the plan. The following are members of the Executive Group:
- Chancellor
- Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Vice Chancellor for Advancement
- Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs
- Vice Chancellor for Student Development
- Chief of Staff
- Associate VC for Public Affairs
- University Attorney
- Pandemic Incident Commander
