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	<title>PHC Global</title>
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	<description>PHC Global protects enterprises through a world class bio-risk management platform</description>
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		<title>The Growing Need for Biosecurity</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/the-growing-need-for-biosecurity/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PHC Global Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:55:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Biosecurity Threats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Biosecurity Awareness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=2362</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Biological threats are a critical, yet often overlooked risk to government agencies and private enterprises—to our health, economy, and environment. Organizations have begun to expand their threat environments, for example, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-13c290cc wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Growing-Need-for-Biosecurity.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Growing-Need-for-Biosecurity.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Growing-Need-for-Biosecurity.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Growing-Need-for-Biosecurity.jpg" alt="The Growing Need for Biosecurity" class="uag-image-2376" width="730" height="487" title="The Growing Need for Biosecurity" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>Biological threats are a critical, yet often overlooked risk to government agencies and private enterprises—to our health, economy, and environment. Organizations have begun to expand their threat environments, for example, implementing cybersecurity measures to protect against digital threats. However, most have been slow to combat biological threats with biosecurity measures. At PHC Global, we know biosecurity is vital for protecting humankind and capital, and securing our future.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-6932cf2d wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-is-biosecurity-opt1.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-is-biosecurity-opt1.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-is-biosecurity-opt1.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-is-biosecurity-opt1.jpg" alt="What is biosecurity" class="uag-image-2382" width="730" height="365" title="What is biosecurity opt1" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">What is Biosecurity?</h2>



<p>Biosecurity involves the steps and practices taken to predict, respond to, and reduce the risk of biological threats. These threats can come from a variety of sources—natural events like disease outbreaks, accidents, or intentional acts that could harm people, animals, or the environment. The main goal of biosecurity is to safeguard the well-being of all living things and the ecosystems they inhabit.</p>



<p>At PHC Global, we equip organizations and businesses with the intelligence and technology needed to assess and mitigate biological risks. By proactively identifying vulnerabilities and implementing robust biosecurity measures, organizations can enhance their resilience, protect their assets, and ensure operational continuity in the face of potential biological threats.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-ebcfebc3 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Biosecurity-Matters-opt1.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Biosecurity-Matters-opt1.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Biosecurity-Matters-opt1.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Why-Biosecurity-Matters-opt1.jpg" alt="Why Biosecurity Matters" class="uag-image-2383" width="730" height="365" title="Why Biosecurity Matters opt1" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Why Biosecurity Matters</h2>



<p>Biological threats can have a profound impact, especially when organizations are unprepared. Biosecurity is how we fight back.</p>



<p>Effective biosecurity protocols can prevent, detect, and contain disease spread if an outbreak occurs, minimizing disruptions and ensuring organizational continuity. We leverage forecasting models like Predictive Absenteeism to empower organizations to make informed decisions and maintain operational continuity. Our Critical Threats feature provides enhanced situational awareness of ongoing outbreaks, allowing organizations to track and manage emerging events.</p>



<p>However, biosecurity is not just about responding to crises as they occur; it&#8217;s also about proactive mitigation. This is especially important in today&#8217;s dynamic world, where a single biological threat can quickly affect the entire global population.</p>



<p>The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of how quickly disease can spread, impacting billions of lives and disrupting economies worldwide. The National Security Council’s Global Health Security and Biodefense was disbanded in 2018. The United States lacked stockpiles of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and critical medical supplies. Integration between the US Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and local officials was fragmented, at best.</p>



<p>We weren’t ready, and the results were disastrous.</p>



<p>Even smaller-scale outbreaks (e.g., bird flu or swine flu) can lead to significant food shortages and financial loss. Effective biosecurity measures prevent or mitigate biological threats before they cause seismic socioeconomic disruption.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-79894f65 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Role-of-Technology-in-Biosecurity-opt-1.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Role-of-Technology-in-Biosecurity-opt-1.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Role-of-Technology-in-Biosecurity-opt-1.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Role-of-Technology-in-Biosecurity-opt-1.jpg" alt="The Role of Technology in Biosecurity" class="uag-image-2380" width="730" height="365" title="The Role of Technology in Biosecurity-opt-1" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">The Role of Technology in Biosecurity</h2>



<p>Organizations need to know the biological risk, what threat it might pose to personnel and business operations, how fast and how far it will spread, and what actionable, proactive steps will help mitigate negative outcomes.</p>



<p>Taken together, we call that idea trusted, anticipatory, tactical, and strategic biosecurity intelligence.</p>



<p>Esri’s GIS technology, paired with PHC Global, gives organizations a common operating picture for biological threats, enhancing the ability to:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Visualize and analyze the spread of a pathogen</li>



<li>Predict and react with confidence.</li>
</ol>



<p>Biosecurity is critical to keeping our world safe. Responsible leaders would not leave their IT systems unsecured and vulnerable to intrusions by bad actors. An urgent, proactive, defense posture against biothreats can save lives. It can be the difference between halting operations and organizational continuity. It can be the difference between success and failure.</p>



<p>And we’re here to help.</p>



<p>We encourage you to learn more, stay informed, and take action to help secure our shared future.</p>



<p></p>
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		<title>H5N1 in the United States: The Current Landscape</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/h5n1-in-the-united-states-the-current-landscape/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PHC Global Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:00:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=2361</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[H5N1 avian influenza has recently captured significant scientific and public health attention in the United States. What was once primarily a concern for poultry and dairy farmers has evolved into [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>H5N1 avian influenza has recently captured significant scientific and public health attention in the United States. What was once primarily a concern for poultry and dairy farmers has evolved into a more complex scenario that requires the business community’s attention.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">The Spread and Detection of H5N1 in Dairy Herds</h2>



<p>Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy herds In March and April of 2024, H5N1 has been identified in 720 dairy herds in 15 states. A comprehensive investigation into the spread of H5N1 among Michigan farms identified significant biosecurity concerns related to shared equipment and personnel and highlighted challenges in controlling the spread of H5N1 between farms.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-8144d5df wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Spread-and-Detection-of-H5N1-in-Dairy-Herds-Opt.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Spread-and-Detection-of-H5N1-in-Dairy-Herds-Opt.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Spread-and-Detection-of-H5N1-in-Dairy-Herds-Opt.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Spread-and-Detection-of-H5N1-in-Dairy-Herds-Opt.jpg" alt="The Spread and Detection of H5N1 in Dairy Herds" class="uag-image-2373" width="724" height="483" title="The Spread and Detection of H5N1 in Dairy Herds Opt" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>Despite this, the United States has not moved to limit these practices. In contrast, Australia, which has other strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) but not H5N1, implements comprehensive movement restrictions that apply to animals and equipment, a practice that has helped limit the geographic spread of HPAI.</p>



<p>Due to the limited preventative measures and expanded testing, PHC Global expects that H5N1 will be identified in additional states and dairy herds in the coming days and months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Detection of H5N1 in humans</h2>



<p>As H5N1 has expanded geographically, human cases have also increased. Initially, H5N1 cases in humans were limited to people who had known close contact with dairy cattle or poultry. More recently, cases have been reported in Missouri and California among individuals with no known animal exposure.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-8033ed45 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Detection-of-H5N1-in-humans-opt.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Detection-of-H5N1-in-humans-opt.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Detection-of-H5N1-in-humans-opt.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Detection-of-H5N1-in-humans-opt.jpg" alt="" class="uag-image-2365" width="724" height="483" title="Detection of H5N1 in humans opt" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>This strongly suggests the virus’s spread is much more extensive than surveillance data indicate. Like the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, limited surveillance testing for H5N1 has allowed the virus to establish a substantial presence in the agricultural sector.</p>



<p>PHC expects additional cases to be identified in people with no known animal exposure in the coming weeks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Detection of H5N1 in raw milk</h2>



<p>In recent years, consuming raw milk has gained popularity in some online wellness communities and has even been endorsed by prominent public figures despite well-documented evidence of its risks. While drinking raw milk has always carried significant health risks, the possibility of the live H5N1 virus being present is new.</p>



<p>On April 1, PHC issued an alert advising people to avoid drinking raw milk. As predicted, the live H5N1 virus was detected in raw milk and subsequently some products were recalled in November. Additionally, on December 10, health officials announced they are investigating a possible link between a suspected avian flu case and raw milk consumption in Marin County, California. PHC expects that live H5N1 will continue to be detected in raw milk and strongly advises against consuming it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Announcement of Bulk Milk Testing</h2>



<p>The USDA has announced that it will begin widespread bulk milk testing across the United States to help track the virus&#8217;s spread among dairy herds. Scientists can map the virus&#8217;s geographical distribution and mutation patterns by testing milk samples from multiple farms and regions.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-9a1b8b8f wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Announcement-of-Bulk-Milk-Testing-opt.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Announcement-of-Bulk-Milk-Testing-opt.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Announcement-of-Bulk-Milk-Testing-opt.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Announcement-of-Bulk-Milk-Testing-opt.jpg" alt="Announcement of Bulk Milk Testing" class="uag-image-2363" width="724" height="408" title="Announcement of Bulk Milk Testing-opt" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>Prior to the USDA-led testing, independent scientists were already monitoring H5N1 spread through the testing of grocery store milk. While these localized studies provided proof of concept, large-scale surveillance remains a critical government function.</p>



<p>While the USDA’s testing initiative may be coming late in the H5N1 outbreak, this new initiative is a welcome development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">&#8220;One Mutation Away&#8221;</h2>



<p>A widely shared scientific paper suggested that H5N1 could be &#8220;one mutation away&#8221; from becoming highly transmissible among humans. This does not mean imminent human-to-human transmission is inevitable, but it highlights the virus&#8217;s potential adaptability as influenza viruses rapidly mutate. The &#8220;one mutation&#8221; scenario suggests a specific genetic modification could enable more efficient human-to-human transmission.</p>



<p>Currently, this specific mutation scenario remains a theoretical possibility. The overall risk of H5N1 infection is low for the general population. Heightened precautions, such as appropriate personal protective equipment, are warranted for people with direct or indirect contact with dairy herds or poultry.</p>



<p>However, this paper is a stark reminder, much like the symbolic Doomsday Clock, that we are inching closer to another flu pandemic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Continued Vigilance Necessary</h2>



<p>While the current situation doesn&#8217;t warrant panic, it demands careful attention. The research community is closely monitoring H5N1 viral samples and tracking potential mutations. The business community needs to be just as engaged in developing and testing preparedness strategies to get through another pandemic.</p>



<p>Early warning helps your business prepare and respond to threats, including pandemic influenza. Don’t let the next biological threat compromise your business continuity. Sign up for a <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">free trial of PHC Pharos</a> today and equip your business with the tools needed to protect your people, assets, and revenue in our ever-changing world.</p>



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		<title>Using Lessons from Past Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreaks to Build Resilient Business Operations</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/using-lessons-from-past-viral-hemorrhagic-fever-outbreaks-to-build-resilient-business-operations/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PHC Global Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Nov 2024 13:30:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Biosecurity Awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Infectious Disease]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=2279</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Learning from Marburg and Ebola: Strategies for Business Continuity in Viral Outbreaks Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreaks (e.g., Ebola, Marburg) are nearly always “spillover” events. An animal, often a bat, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-8dd84fc6 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Viral-hemorrhagic-fever-01-2x-1024x640.png ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Viral-hemorrhagic-fever-01-2x.png 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Viral-hemorrhagic-fever-01-2x.png 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Viral-hemorrhagic-fever-01-2x-1024x640.png" alt="Viral hemorrhagic fever" class="uag-image-2285" width="1024" height="640" title="Viral hemorrhagic fever 01 2x" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Learning from Marburg and Ebola: Strategies for Business Continuity in Viral Outbreaks</h2>



<p>Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreaks (e.g., Ebola, Marburg) are nearly always “spillover” events. An animal, often a bat, comes in contact with a human and transmits a deadly virus that is also highly disruptive to the surrounding community’s well-being and essential daily routines. While models can identify areas where transmission events are more likely to occur, spillover events are rare, low-probability events are notoriously hard to predict.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-c8ff8ba2 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rwanda-has-done-a-remarkable-job-of-controlling-the-current-Marburg-outbreak-2x-1024x512.png ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rwanda-has-done-a-remarkable-job-of-controlling-the-current-Marburg-outbreak-2x.png 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rwanda-has-done-a-remarkable-job-of-controlling-the-current-Marburg-outbreak-2x.png 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rwanda-has-done-a-remarkable-job-of-controlling-the-current-Marburg-outbreak-2x-1024x512.png" alt="Rwanda has done a remarkable job of controlling the current Marburg outbreak" class="uag-image-2287" width="1024" height="512" title="Rwanda has done a remarkable job of controlling the current Marburg outbreak 2x" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>Recently, Rwanda has done a remarkable job of controlling the current Marburg outbreak; however, things could have gone quite differently. We are not too far removed from the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak that infected nearly 30,000 people, killed more than 10,000 people, and lasted for months before it was contained. Although the human toll of that outbreak was far more significant, Rwanda has implemented some of the same restrictive public health measures used to control the large-scale Ebola outbreak to control the current Marburg outbreak.</p>



<p>Public health measures are most effective when applied early in an outbreak, regardless of the cases observed. Therefore, an outbreak with relatively few cases and deaths can be quite disruptive to the surrounding areas and any local or global business operations. For these reasons, PHC Global recommends that businesses continuously review and practice their emergency operations plans and use current outbreaks to assess their preparedness for future ones.&nbsp;<br></p>



<p>Even if your company hadn&#8217;t experienced any disruptions from the outbreak in Rwanda, would the same have happened if the outbreak had occurred in Kenya? What about Tanzania or Uganda? Would you or other companies have restricted employee travel? What about your supply chain; are there any vulnerable links? Would any necessary components, goods, or services have experienced delays due to local movement restrictions? How resilient is your business to these types of disruptions? It’s best to take inventory and prepare for the inevitable episodic outbreak sooner rather than later. Animals remain reservoirs for viruses, and we remain vulnerable.&nbsp;</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-13e0bcbc wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/early-warning-helps-your-business-prepare-2x-1024x512.png ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/early-warning-helps-your-business-prepare-2x.png 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/early-warning-helps-your-business-prepare-2x.png 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/early-warning-helps-your-business-prepare-2x-1024x512.png" alt="" class="uag-image-2284" width="1024" height="512" title="early warning helps your business prepare 2x" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>When outbreaks occur, early warning helps your business prepare and respond to the threat. Don’t let the next biological threat compromise your business continuity. Sign up for a <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">free trial of PHC Pharos</a> today and equip your business with the tools needed to protect your people, assets, and revenue in our ever-changing world.</p>



<p></p>
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		<title>Policy or Panic? Unpacking Hong Kong&#8217;s Strategic Poultry Ban in the Face of H5N1</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/policy-or-panic-unpacking-hong-kongs-strategic-poultry-ban-in-the-face-of-h5n1/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Shane Johnson MPH and Director of Global Threat Intelligence]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:53:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1817</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Hong Kong has banned poultry imports from several countries H5N1 avian influenza-related trade restrictions evoke memories of supply chain meltdowns during early COVID-19, but Hong Kong’s ban on poultry imports [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Hong Kong has banned poultry imports from several countries</h2>



<p>H5N1 avian influenza-related trade restrictions evoke memories of supply chain meltdowns during early COVID-19, but Hong Kong’s ban on poultry imports from some countries does not reflect a change in the threat posed by food. The actions are a reminder that restrictions can be issued for both safety and political reasons.</p>



<p>On May 27, the Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong announced a ban on poultry meat and egg imports from several countries, including the US, citing the risk posed by H5N1 avian influenza. Within hours, Macau, another special administrative region of China, issued a similar announcement, which, while not as direct as Hong Kong’s announcement, also implied an immediate ban on US poultry imports.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Context matters at the intersection of public health, trade, and politics</h2>



<p>Historical context is important to understand the current situation. In 2015, following a similar period of heightened global awareness of avian influenza, Hong Kong announced a comparable ban on US poultry products, which was part of a broader Chinese ban on US poultry products. The restrictions lasted nearly five years, far exceeding the period of heightened bird flu activity used to justify the ban. Since then, China has issued numerous shorter bans on poultry imports during periods of US avian influenza outbreaks. While Chinese imports of US poultry products account for less than 1% of US to China export value, it does equate to over $1 billion annually for US farmers.</p>



<p>While long-term public health risks from avian influenza are real and growing, the immediate risk from the food supply is small. When outbreaks in poultry facilities are handled properly, the risk of avian influenza entering the food chain is negligible. Additionally, import bans are sometimes used for political reasons. In addition to protectionism, import bans can frame a disease as a foreign threat to the domestic audience. Given that Hong Kong’s 1997 H5N1 cases represent the first example of a purely avian virus causing respiratory disease and death in humans, the new ban is inconsistent with the known ecology of avian influenza viruses.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-d6be57c8 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Risk-Assessment-1024x726.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Risk-Assessment.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Risk-Assessment.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Risk-Assessment-1024x726.jpg" alt="Don’t let hype or politics distort your risk assessments" class="uag-image-1819" width="1024" height="726" title="Risk Assessment" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Don’t let hype or politics distort your risk assessments</h2>



<p>Media attention and dramatic headlines can bring attention to the wrong risks, and threaten your bottom line. PHC Global understands businesses need expert-grounded assessments. We combine expertise, data, and technology to give you the insight you need to focus on the real threats to business continuity.</p>



<p>Sign up for a <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">free trial of PHC Pharos</a> today and equip your business with the tools needed for an ever-changing world to protect your people, assets and revenue.</p>
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		<title>Does Milk Hold the Answer to H5N1 Surveillance?</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/does-milk-hold-the-answer-to-h5n1-surveillance/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sumiko Mekaru, DVM, PhD and VP Research &#38; Innovation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 18:07:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1807</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The emergence of avian influenza H5N1 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle is potentially a waypoint on the viral evolutionary journey to a business-disrupting mutation (see earlier blog). Dairy farmers&#8217; reluctance to [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The emergence of avian influenza H5N1 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle is potentially a waypoint on the viral evolutionary journey to a business-disrupting mutation (see <a href="https://phcglobal.com/blog/h5n1-and-the-risks-to-enterprise-businesses-globally/">earlier blog</a>). Dairy farmers&#8217; reluctance to open their farm gates to federal surveillance is not unexpected. Still, it does expose the limitations of our ability to monitor new diseases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Disease surveillance is multi-purpose and fundamental to public safety</h2>



<p>Disease surveillance systems provide ongoing monitoring of health-related data that can be used to understand baselines and to prevent and control disease. Since 1799, when Paul Revere monitored incoming ships for disease as the nation&#8217;s first health officer and board of health chair, data on disease has been collected to protect the public. However, for many people, the COVID-19 pandemic intertwined surveillance with restrictions and lockdowns. Erosion of trust in public institutions presents a challenging environment for setting up new surveillance systems to address emerging threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Gaps require surveillance innovation</h2>



<p>Businesses embracing data-driven decision-making may feel a sense of COVID-inspired deja vu from this lack of data. In the absence of traditional data through testing or health records, alternative or proxy data can be used. Recently, scientists from the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center constructed the complete H5N1 viral genetic sequence from two positive samples of grocery store milk. If we can’t go to the source, we can still look at something further downstream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Proxy data analysis is not self-serve</h2>



<p>Analyzing grocery store milk protects the identity of the infected farms, therefore obscuring the location and timing of infections. Downstream and proxy data are useful flashlights when the power goes out, but their illumination is poorer than your ceiling lights. Making sense of these data sources requires more expertise. For example, a positive grocery store milk sample could represent one or more herds&#8217; infections, including multiple versions of the virus, and it could represent the coinfection of multiple H5HN versions in one cow or several cows, each with one version. Similarly, wastewater surveillance data can be heavily impacted by mass gatherings or travel events. Additional data is required to interpret these proxy signals, helpful as they are.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-9f806bda wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-analysis.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-analysis.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-analysis.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-analysis.jpg" alt="Proxy data analysis is not self-serve" class="uag-image-1811" width="2233" height="1342" title="Milk analysis" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>The good news is that grocery store milk may be a more achievable surveillance approach than on-farm testing. The even better news for businesses is that they don’t need to expand their workforce to understand these more nuanced data sources. PHC Pharos evaluates and contextualizes proxy and traditional data through expert analyses and customizable dashboards.</p>



<p>Sign up for a <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">free trial of PHC Pharos</a> today and equip your business with the tools needed for an ever-changing world so that you can protect your people, assets and revenue.</p>
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		<title>To Prepare Against the Worst, CSOs Need High-Impact H5N1 Scenarios</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/to-prepare-against-the-worst-csos-need-high-impact-h5n1-scenarios/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sumiko Mekaru, DVM, PhD and VP Research &#38; Innovation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 19:24:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Threat]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1780</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What is the Milk Warning Us About? H5N1 in dairy cattle is a wake-up call to CSOs. COVID may feel over, but new disruptive biosecurity threats are constantly emerging. Last [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">What is the Milk Warning Us About?</h2>



<p>H5N1 in dairy cattle is a wake-up call to CSOs. COVID may feel over, but new disruptive biosecurity threats are constantly emerging. <a href="https://phcglobal.com/blog/if-the-grocery-store-milk-is-safe-why-are-experts-worried-about-h5n1/">Last week</a>, we told you the milk isn&#8217;t the threat—it&#8217;s the warning. If H5N1 evolves dangerously, the CSO role will once again be responsible for the company response plan, but the knock-on effects of biosecurity threats can be hard to anticipate. This week, we walk you through three possible and highly disruptive H5N1 scenarios: the agricultural disaster, the moderate pandemic, and the severe pandemic. These scenarios are valuable for shaping preparedness strategies and highlighting biologically possible outcomes but are not intended as near-term predictions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Scenario #1 Massive Agricultural Disruption</h2>



<p>In Scenario #1, H5N1 evolves to massively disrupt agriculture by causing severe disease in dairy or beef cattle or by asymptomatically infecting humans who could unintentionally spread the virus throughout commodity operations (cattle or poultry). <strong>The consequences of an H5N1-driven catastrophic agricultural disease would be extensive</strong>. Initially, commodity prices would rise dramatically; those costs would then ripple through the US economy. The food industry, grocery stores, restaurants, and anywhere serving food (including public schools and hospitals) would feel the brunt of food scarcity and high prices. How would your food services team adapt? Will there be cost overruns?</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-997ef1a8 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Massive-Agricultural-Disruption-opt-1024x682.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Massive-Agricultural-Disruption-opt.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Massive-Agricultural-Disruption-opt.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Massive-Agricultural-Disruption-opt-1024x682.jpg" alt="Massive-Agricultural-Disruption" class="uag-image-1782" width="1024" height="682" title="Massive Agricultural Disruption opt" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>A devastating agricultural H5N1 would trigger an international response. Although World Trade Organization member countries are required to justify trade restrictions due to disease, fear could trigger highly reactive import bans. Even if the World Organization for Animal Health (the designated adjudicator of animal disease-related embargos) eventually found import restrictions could not be justified, the impact on U.S. markets would be massive. Agriculture, food, and related industries contribute 5.6% of the US GDP and employ 10.4% of US workers. 2023 US export values included $9.97B (beef), $8.01B (dairy), $5.49B (poultry), and $760M (eggs).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Scenario #2 A Moderate Pandemic – H1N1 Redux</h2>



<p>In Scenario #2, H5N1 acquires the ability to be transmitted between people. Influenza viruses have two protein spikes on their outer layer: the <strong>H</strong> in H5 and the <strong>N</strong> in N1. Pandemic influenza viruses have novel spike proteins that our immune systems haven’t seen before. That universal lack of past exposure through infection and vaccine means essentially all people are susceptible to the new virus. Current seasonal influenza vaccines cover an H3N2 and an H1N1 (along with two influenza B viruses); the H5 would be entirely new.</p>



<p>Pandemic severity reflects the transmissibility and severity of illness. In Scenario #2, H5N1 would echo the 2009-2010 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, which was moderately infectious and moderately severe.<strong> To imagine the</strong> <strong>company impacts of this scenario, CSOs can review the impacts that moderate biosecurity threats (e.g., H1N1 or Zika) had on their operations and assess what new options exist today</strong>. Key questions include:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>What departments or roles had the greatest excess absenteeism or reduced productivity? What were the challenges faced in 2009-2010, and were they fully addressed during COVID-19, or do you need to find solutions? Where hybrid isn’t an option, did reduced customer demand match absenteeism impacts?</li>



<li>Did your business host flu vaccine clinics onsite to lower barriers to employees getting the extra flu shot? H1N1 got a separate vaccine from seasonal flu that year. The same thing could happen if H5N1 evolves. Reducing infections can limit productivity losses, reduce absenteeism, and save on health insurance premiums.</li>



<li>Are your business continuity plans up to date, to include lessons learned? Do they reflect the current organizational structure and identify the correct decision makers?</li>
</ul>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-79c666e5 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/H5N1-Goes-Person-to-Person-and-Regains-Previous-Severity-opt-1024x683.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/H5N1-Goes-Person-to-Person-and-Regains-Previous-Severity-opt.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/H5N1-Goes-Person-to-Person-and-Regains-Previous-Severity-opt.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/H5N1-Goes-Person-to-Person-and-Regains-Previous-Severity-opt-1024x683.jpg" alt="H5N1 Goes Person-to-Person and Regains Previous Severity" class="uag-image-1783" width="1024" height="683" title="H5N1 Goes Person-to-Person and Regains Previous Severity opt" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Scenario #3 A Severe Pandemic – H5N1 Goes Person-to-Person and Regains Previous Severity</h2>



<p>In this darkest scenario, a severe H5N1 pandemic spreads easily between people and regularly causes severe disease. An earlier strain of H5N1 killed about 50% of identified human cases. Even if H5N1 didn’t kill half of the people infected, a plausible worst-case scenario could see rates much higher than the 8.7% case fatality rate that COVID averaged in studies conducted during the first year of the pandemic. This severe influenza pandemic would be COVID on steroids.</p>



<p><strong>No pandemic looks exactly like the previous pandemic, but the experience of decision makers can be invaluable in tackling a new crisis</strong>. Before staff turnover cements a complete loss of institutional knowledge, CSOs should document not just the decisions made during past pandemics but also the challenges and the considerations. A playbook that dictates if X then Y will rapidly fall short. Instead, CSOs should record the decision-making processes, criteria, considerations, and ripple effects. Lessons learned should not focus on the specific tactical solution selected but rather on how leaders successfully understood the problem and strategically planned for it.</p>



<p><strong>Waiting to develop a plan is too risky for today&#8217;s conditions.</strong> These scenarios require thoughtful consideration and planning to ensure your business weathers any possible disruption. PHC Global understands businesses need early warning on both tactical and strategic intelligence. We combine expertise, data, and technology to give you the insight you need now to ensure business continuity. </p>



<p><strong>Sign up for <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">a free trial</a> of PHC Pharos today and equip your business with the tools needed for an ever-changing world, so you can protect your people, assets and revenue.</strong></p>



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		<title>H5N1 and the risks to enterprise businesses globally</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/h5n1-and-the-risks-to-enterprise-businesses-globally/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle L. Nolan, PhD and Director of Applied Science and Innovation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 17:42:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Threat]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1776</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Influenza viruses, including H5N1, are notorious for their constant evolution. Although the H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain currently poses little risk of person-to-person transmission, that could rapidly change. It would only take [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Influenza viruses, including H5N1, are notorious for their constant evolution. Although the H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain currently poses little risk of person-to-person transmission, that could rapidly change. It would only take the wrong cow to meet the wrong bird for the virus to morph into one that could cause more severe disease symptoms or become more transmissible. That ability to easily pick up new genetic characteristics is why influenza constantly ranks as having the highest pandemic potential and why businesses need H5N1 on their radar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Influenza is particularly good at traveling the globe.</h2>



<p>Genomic sequencing indicates that an initial H5N1 spillover from birds to several dairy cattle herds. Movement of cattle with undetected infections spread H5N1 to other farms. After this introduction into dairy cows, <strong>spillback into migratory birds—or wild mammals—could cause the dairy cattle H5N1 strain to spread further within the United States or beyond its borders</strong>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These concerns aren’t overblown. Migratory birds have spread earlier versions of H5N1 along their flyways, allowing new viruses to travel the world within two years.</p>



<p>Movement of dairy cattle can introduce the virus to new farms, even with the new Federal testing requirements for cattle. Once the infection is introduced to a farm, H5N1 can quickly spread among dairy cows, likely through contaminated milking equipment. H5N1 infection in cows is mild; the most pronounced symptom is a temporary reduction in milk production. However, H5N1 has caused significant illness–and high rates of mortality–in other mammals. An earlier version of H5N1 had a ~50% mortality rate in humans.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-83b47c59 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agriculture-impacts-ripple-globally-1024x682.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agriculture-impacts-ripple-globally.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agriculture-impacts-ripple-globally.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agriculture-impacts-ripple-globally-1024x682.jpg" alt="Agriculture impacts ripple globally" class="uag-image-1778" width="1024" height="682" title="Agriculture impacts ripple globally" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">What happens on the farm doesn’t stay on the farm. Agriculture impacts ripple globally.</h2>



<p>Given the potential economic impact of H5N1 on milk production and operational costs, it’s only natural that it is top of mind for agricultural businesses.</p>



<p>However, enterprise businesses outside the agricultural sector are also exposed to risks. Most immediately, enterprise businesses—including those outside the United States—purchasing poultry or cattle products (eggs, dairy, beef, etc.) should prepare for price fluctuations.&nbsp;<br><strong>Influenza viruses constantly evolve, and these shifts can happen quickly. </strong>In an ever-changing—and mutating—landscape, staying ahead of risks is more important than ever. PHC Global’s Pharos early warning system empowers subscribers to stay ahead of the curve and effectively manage risks before a significant disruption occurs.</p>



<p>Don’t let the next biological threat compromise your business continuity. <strong>Sign up for a <a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">free trial of PHC Pharos</a> today and equip your business with the tools needed for an ever-changing world, so you can protect your people, assets and revenue.</strong></p>
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		<title>If the grocery store milk is safe, why are experts worried about H5N1?</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/if-the-grocery-store-milk-is-safe-why-are-experts-worried-about-h5n1/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sumiko Mekaru, DVM, PhD and VP Research &#38; Innovation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 13:56:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Pandemic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[H5N1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1767</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Historical Perspective of Influenza Pandemics Before COVID-19, when pandemic experts imagined the next great threat, we always started with a novel influenza virus. Other diseases have also caused pandemics, but [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Historical Perspective of Influenza Pandemics</h2>



<p>Before COVID-19, when pandemic experts imagined the next great threat, we always started with a novel influenza virus. Other diseases have also caused pandemics, but influenza is a constantly evolving and ever-present threat. Seasonal influenza viruses have slight changes that let them infect people year after year, but pandemics come from significant shifts in the virus. The 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic was most recent, but the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918 is what we feared most – one-fifth of the world infected and 50 million dead, far more than the 16 million lives lost in World War I.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">The Current State of H5N1 and Its Potential Risks</h2>



<p>Flu viruses are excellent at picking up mutations. When two different viruses infect the same person or animal, they can exchange genetic material. The current H5N1 strain (H5N1 2.3.4.4b) can now infect a surprisingly wide variety of birds and mammals. While it is no longer as deadly in humans (the 50% fatality rate was seen earlier in different H5N1 strains), it has caused mass die-offs in sea lions and seals. The more it spreads in mammals, the more opportunities for a mutation that could enable it to cause severe disease in humans or allow for person-to-person transmission. The detection of H5N1 viral fragments in 1 out of 5 grocery store milk samples in many states indicates the virus is far more widespread than initially thought. As expected, gold-standard egg-inoculation tests have shown that pasteurization inactivates the virus. <strong>The milk isn’t the threat; it’s the early warning </strong>of what could happen.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-4e44ee6d wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-at-store-1024x1024.jpg ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-at-store.jpg 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-at-store.jpg 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Milk-at-store-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Milk at store" class="uag-image-1773" width="1024" height="1024" title="Milk at store" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<p>For most enterprise businesses, the current situation is a straightforward, early signal of a potential disruptive threat. The virus may never evolve to transmit between people, but it has regularly surprised us. With COVID in the rear-view mirror for many, the current situation is a reminder that biosecurity threats will continue to emerge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Businesses can take several actions now:</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Review your pandemic plan NOW, before an emergency: update personnel information and ensure designated decision-makers know their roles and decision criteria.</li>



<li>Evaluate planning for flu vaccine clinics on site in the fall. If H5N1 evolves to spread easily between humans, an additional flu vaccine may be developed (as happened in the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic). On-site flu clinics could provide both seasonal and H5N1 vaccines if warranted.</li>



<li>Encourage employees to stay home when sick and to work from home as appropriate. This practice prepares employees and IT teams for widespread remote or hybrid work, if necessary maintain or establish a work culture that supports employees’ choices to wear masks. An open environment makes it easier for other employees to add this layer of protection if the risk rises. Reducing infections protects workers’ health, reduces absenteeism, and can reduce employer health insurance costs.</li>



<li>Maintain or increase the budget for cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer to avoid unexpected costs. Increase the cadence for reviewing purchasing schedules. An unpredictable future is not the time for “set it and forget it.&#8221;</li>



<li>Prepare for milk and egg price volatility when developing food service budgets. Mandatory testing or other interventions may add costs to milk production that are eventually passed down to the consumer.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Strategic Organizational Pandemic Planning</h2>



<p>Staying ahead of potential risks is more critical now than ever; that’s where PHC Pharos comes in. As a dedicated early warning system, PHC Pharos empowers subscribers with real-time intelligence and expert recommendations to navigate the complex biosecurity landscape effectively. It’s not simply managing potential risks; it’s about solutions and staying ahead of them.</p>



<p>Don’t wait for the next biological threat to disrupt your business continuity. </p>



<p><strong><a href="https://phcglobal.com/freetrial/">Sign up for PHC Pharos today</a> and equip your business with the tools to stay one step ahead in an ever-changing world.</strong></p>
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		<title>Keeping Your Employees Productive-How PHC Global Reduces Workplace Absenteeism</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/keeping-your-employees-productive-how-phc-global-reduces-workplace-absenteeism/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Fisk, MD and Chief Medical Officer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:45:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Workplace Absenteeism]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1655</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Absenteeism is a direct drain on workplace productivity. This was never more consequential than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates note absenteeism measures surged globally with the successive waves of the [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<p>Absenteeism is a direct drain on workplace productivity. This was never more consequential than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates note absenteeism measures surged globally with the successive waves of the pandemic as employees became ill, family members needed care as they fell ill, and employees were exposed to COVID-19 so missed work while isolating. Long-COVID has added to this productivity drain with US estimates of $170-230 billion in lost wages annually. The economic impact of acute COVID-19 absenteeism is estimated at $62 billion annually<sup><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272723000713#:~:text=Our%20estimates%20suggest%20Covid%2D19,beyond%20the%20initial%20absence%20week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1</a></sup>.</p>



<p>Other common infectious diseases like influenza and norovirus are also drags on employee productivity with their annual outbreaks or outbreaks in children like measles that can pull parents out of work. The biggest blindspot for employers though in terms of productivity losses from infectious diseases is the development of new pandemics. Other/new pandemic pathogens are expected in the coming years, with massive potential associated absenteeism. PHC Global’s forte is managing risk from infectious disease outbreaks that lead to absenteeism.</p>



<p>How does PHC Global reduce workplace absenteeism for our customers? Our approach is multi-pronged and evident in our Pharos platform and the API’s we provide to integrate in our customers’ platforms. We produce practical, high-quality products that help CSO’s and people-leaders keep their workplaces operational in the face of infection stressors. Those products derive their utility from PHC’s bedrock that rests on:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Expertise:</h2>



<p> PHC Global’s experts are the core of everything we do. Our team is composed of leaders in the fields of communicable disease spread (epidemiology), data management and analysis, infectious disease clinical care, public health systems, software development, communications, and other fields. We bring these diverse skill sets together in a unique synergy that benefits our customers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Freedom from political influence:</h2>



<p>Our guidance is evidence based and experience based. We are not beholden to political agendas or limited by bureaucratic restrictions on the guidance we give our customers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Timely Intelligence:</h2>



<p><strong> </strong>Early warning is key. What would you do with a week to prepare for an outbreak that will impact your operations? Two weeks? Four weeks? The intelligence pertaining to emerging outbreaks that we offer our customers is driven by our unique blend of extraordinary data inputs, utilizing AI curation tools. The intelligence is then expertly curated for accuracy, relevance, and degree of confidence. It is offered to our customers before competitors become aware of the threats from their more-traditional sources of infection news. The PHC Alerts, Analysis, and Critical Threat products exemplify this approach.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-72754bec wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Practical-guidance-for-the-workplace-and-workforce-1024x684.webp ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Practical-guidance-for-the-workplace-and-workforce-scaled.webp 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Practical-guidance-for-the-workplace-and-workforce-scaled.webp 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Practical-guidance-for-the-workplace-and-workforce-1024x684.webp" alt="Practical guidance for the workplace and workforce" class="uag-image-1657" width="1024" height="684" title="Practical guidance for the workplace and workforce" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Practical guidance for the workplace and workforce:</h2>



<p style="padding-top:0">We work with customers to create practical measures they can choose to implement in their workplaces and with their employees. Depending upon the work environment and pathogen in question, these measures may include the use of room air filters, sick-leave policies, workplace process modifications, masking, ventilation enhancements, work-from-home triggers, vaccine education, travel guidance, and others. In times of uncertainty, employees appreciate having a trusted source for unbiased, evidence based measures they can take to protect themselves. Similarly, employers appreciate having a trusted source they can turn to during those times. PHC’s customizable, geography-specific alerts and guidance aid in workforce planning when new infections are looming, or when previously known infections are surging.</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-86ac429a wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Communications-1024x683.webp ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Communications-scaled.webp 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Communications-scaled.webp 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Communications-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="uag-image-1656" width="3000" height="2000" title="Communications" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Communications:</h2>



<p style="padding-top:0">PHC Global offers email notifications so you can have alerts and guidance delivered directly to your inbox. PHC even has more detailed guidance on best practices for workplaces to reduce infection transmission. We work with customers to manage their employee communications at critical junctures. In outbreaks, information voids tend to be filled by inaccurate information that has the potential to curtail productivity. CSO’s and people leaders can turn to PHC Global as a trusted voice in such uncertain times. Misinformation and disinformation can be combated by PHC’s many avenues of communication with customers and their employees.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Geographic Relevance:</h2>



<p>Customers can choose regions of geographic relevance to them in Pharos, targeting what is most important to their business. This is customizable to each user, to be specific to the needs of different functions.</p>



<p>In this era of global travel and global interdependence, infections travel faster than ever before. Their ability to drive absenteeism, therefore, is increased. CEO’s, COO’s, CSO’s and people leaders need resources they can turn to to protect corporate operations at such times. PHC Global’s extraordinary combination of deep expertise, customizable interface, and emphasis on practical guidance is the resource such leaders need on their side.</p>
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		<title>What your workforce can do to keep themselves healthy this winter respiratory infection season, and how HR and CSO leaders can help</title>
		<link>https://phcglobal.com/blog/what-your-workforce-can-do-to-keep-themselves-healthy-this-winter-respiratory-infection-season-and-how-hr-and-cso-leaders-can-help/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Fisk, MD and Chief Medical Officer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:05:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Infectious Disease]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://phcglobal.com/?p=1506</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Right now, COVID-19 wastewater levels suggest we’re in the midst of the second largest wave of COVID-19 since the pandemic began (behind Omicron). It seems like everyone has a story [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<p>Right now, COVID-19 wastewater levels suggest we’re in the midst of the second largest wave of COVID-19 since the pandemic began (behind Omicron). It seems like everyone has a story of being ill themselves with flu, COVID-19, or RSV, or has a story of a loved one who was hospitalized or seriously ill from one of these infections. Workplace absenteeism is elevated from these viruses. HR and CSO leaders can influence behaviors and policies in your organizations to keep more employees respiratory virus free, healthy, and able to work. What steps can you take now to achieve this?</p>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-0a1b6b54 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Basic-prevention-methods-1024x682.webp ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Basic-prevention-methods-jpg.webp 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Basic-prevention-methods-jpg.webp 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Basic-prevention-methods-1024x682.webp" alt="" class="uag-image-1508" width="1024" height="682" title="" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Promoting Effective Personal Hygeine Practices</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Adopt a culture in the organization that encourages effective, common-sense behaviors like handwashing, cough/sneeze etiquette, and use of elbow or fist bumps instead of handshakes for greetings.&nbsp; Handwashing, especially before eating, after using the restroom, or after shaking hands with others has been known for generations to reduce disease transmission, especially for respiratory infections. When high-touch surfaces like countertops and door handles are contacted, hand hygiene is key for employees to reduce respiratory infection (and GI infection) risk. HR leaders can model good cough/sneeze etiquette by using a bent elbow to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Then, it is best to immediately perform hand washing (or antiseptic gel use) afterwards. Similarly, modeling greetings other than handshakes, like elbow bumps, can keep more employees healthy during this rampant respiratory virus season. You can circulate and post this infographic in key areas like breakrooms, restrooms, and meeting rooms to promote these approaches with your employees.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Encouraging Non-Presenteeism</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The culture of respiratory virus prevention should also encourage non-presenteeism. That is the concept that employees should stay out of the office when ill with respiratory symptoms, especially when they have fevers. Leadership needs to model this for employees to make it work, as if the leaders stay out when ill, others are more likely to do so. When employees come to work sick, management should be trained to send them out of the office. Remember, it’s much easier to have one key employee out ill than it is to have 10 out because the first sick employee came to work. Virtual work from home arrangements for potentially contagious employees can make this habit easier to adopt.</li>
</ul>



<div class="wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-087a0bab wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none"><figure class="wp-block-uagb-image__figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" srcset="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Masked-employees-1024x640.webp ,https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Masked-employees-jpg.webp 780w, https://phcglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Masked-employees-jpg.webp 360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px" src="//phcglobal-1eb53.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Masked-employees-1024x640.webp" alt="Masked employees" class="uag-image-1510" width="1024" height="640" title="" loading="lazy" role="img"/></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Vaccination and Masking Policies</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Masking by employees, although politicized, has strong evidence of its effectiveness as a measure that reduces respiratory infection risk. Places that had high rates of masking, like Taiwan, fared much better during the COVID-19 pandemic than the US did. Encouraging employees who wish to mask in the office to do so can make your workplace safer and lead to fewer people being unable to work because of respiratory illness.</li>



<li>Updated vaccines are now available for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Almost all people over 6 months are eligible for influenza and COVID-19 vaccination, and pregnant women or adults over 60 are eligible for RSV vaccination in the US. All three of these vaccines reduce the chances of dying from their respective infections. HR can establish programs to secure vaccine access in the workplace for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Leadership can educate employees about eligibility for the RSV vaccine so they consult their healthcare providers about its risks and benefits. Similarly, HR policies should make it as easy as possible for interested employees to get vaccines (provide childcare and PTO for employees pursuing vaccination). Transportation assistance to vaccine-providing sites should be incorporated, and programs bringing the vaccines to the workplace at a variety of hours can boost vaccine uptake in the workplace. Education campaigns about the impressive benefits conferred by these viral vaccines can have significant influence on employees choices about vaccination.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:30px">Enhancing the Workplace Environment and Promoting Safe Travel Practices</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Simple in-office air handling measures, we now know, can help make the workplace safer from viral respiratory infections. These include the use of low cost, portable, in-room filtration units and the deployment of basic ventilation improvements (opening doors, windows when possible)</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>When employees must travel or go to crowded meeting spaces for work, CSO’s can have an influence on protective precautions employees can take. Extra measures to reduce viral transmission risk (hand washing, physical distancing to the degree possible, pre-travel vaccination, and masking when on planes, trains, etc, all can reduce risk. Allowing employees to travel by private vehicle lessens the chance they will get sick in transit.</li>



<li>Smoking increases susceptibility to respiratory infections, and smokers get sicker when they get these viruses. Employers and health insurers with whom they contract can incentivize smokers to quit. Added costs of insuring smokers can be passed on to the smokers, as studies have shown doing so increases quit rates. Fewer smokers on the workforce lessens the organization’s overall susceptibility to these respiratory viruses.</li>



<li>Use antibiotics only when confidently diagnosed with a bacterial infection by a HCP. Most colds, sinus symptoms, and bronchitis are viral, and antibiotics do not help. Overusing them carries significant short and long-term health risks. These include the onset of a dangerous bowel infection after the antibiotics kill off the normal protective bacteria that live in the bowel. Overuse of these medicines also leads to antibiotic resistance (after even a few doses) that impairs the ability to treat infections in the future.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>If employees contract COVID or influenza, they should immediately contact their healthcare provider to see if they are candidates for treatment for those infections with antivirals. Such treatment can be life-saving for some, and shorten the length of symptoms for most.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<p>The first two winters since the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic have been characterized by intense proliferation of other respiratory viruses (influenza and RSV). When added to the productivity losses driven by COVID-19 disease, these viruses put a lot of employees out of work and make their employers less competitive. The measures described above can help reduce absenteeism on your teams, and different combinations of them can be adopted by HR and CSO leaders to fit your organization. Remember, no one measure is perfect at prevention of these infections, so the more measures that are adopted, the fewer cases will arise in your employees, and the more resilient your workforce will be.</p>
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