Issues

Pandemic Influenza Page

What might happen if bird flu reaches this country? Are we prepared? The frightening reality is that we are not. According to the federal government’s estimates for a worst case scenario for a pandemic influenza outbreak, there would be 90 million illnesses, 9.9 million hospitalizations, and 1.9 million deaths. "Hurricane Katrina exposed the devastation and misery that is created when our government is unprepared for and does not adequately respond to a major disaster," said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee "This administration has proposed a pandemic flu plan that would leave health workers, first responders and all Americans woefully unprotected." In response, AFSCME, the AFL-CIO and four other unions wrote to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao on December 21, 2005 demanding an emergency temporary standard to require comprehensive protections for millions of health care workers, emergency responders and other essential personnel.

Pandemic influenza occurs when a new strain of influenza virus appears, which causes serious illness in humans and is easily spread from person to person worldwide. Bird flu poses the most immediate threat of developing the ability to spread from person to person and touching off a global outbreak. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect people. Click on the following links to find out more about pandemic influenza.

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Frank Cosentino
CSEA Local 1000, New York

Frank Cosentino

"The most important thing my union does is keep me safe on the job. Whether we're fighting for ergonomics standards for office workers or bullet proof vest for corrections officers, the safety of members comes first."