In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a worldwide warning for a possible flu pandemic from avian influenza (“bird flu”) or the H5N1 influenza virus. WHO and the CDC see the risk as “high” due to the current knowledge about the mutations and dissemination of viral infections. A pandemic virus would be spread through close contact with infected individuals which means that populations living in close proximity of each other (like in a college setting) are more likely to contract the virus. These leading health experts, along with many others, agree that the threat of a flu pandemic is real and urge all levels of society to prepare. Collectively, they say “when,” not “if.”

Whitman College has an opportunity and responsibility to plan for the next pandemic, and thus to mitigate its impact. Although experts cannot predict when the next pandemic will occur, they agree that it will occur at sometime in this century. A pandemic would have a worldwide impact with an unpredictable timeline and potential for broad dispersion. Major disruptions are likely for health care, transportation, infrastructure, education, suppliers, and other public services. Physical facilities will not be damaged but will need vigilant attention to maintain operations. High illness and death rates will lead to significant absenteeism which will greatly affect the operations of life on all levels locally, nationally and internationally.

Currently Whitman College has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan that provides guidance to all elements and operations of the college to: prepare for, respond to, mitigate and recover from both man-made and natural disasters, and major emergencies. The implementation of campus emergency plans are directed by a team of campus officials who have training in emergency management. Pandemic planning is a part of Whitman’s overall emergency plan.

The key goals of Whitman’s pandemic plan are to:

1. promote the safety of all students and employees
2. reduce illness and death;
3. minimize social and educational disruption;
4. insure the college’s ability to continue core and critical functions; and,
5. minimize economic losses.

Pandemic planning is a daunting task given that there are a number of factors that are variable and even unknown. Planning at this time is based on what scientists currently understand about seasonal influenza and past pandemics as described in historical documents. Therefore, Whitman’s pandemic response plans are developed to be flexible, resilient and adaptable in such a way that it allows our response to evolve in step with the changes in scientific knowledge and the unfolding pandemic situation.

Whitman College won’t be ready to face a flu pandemic until everyone in the campus community is ready. Personal planning by every individual in the campus community is a crucial part of pandemic preparedness. Individuals need to ensure their own safety and that of their families first and foremost. The College also has a responsibility to minimize risks to all students and personnel. Being informed and being prepared are the two most important steps that each person can take before a flu pandemic arrives. Pandemic flu planning for individuals and families is available from the Washington State Department of Health and from the Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Flu website at www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html.

Before and during a pandemic, Whitman College will work in close cooperation with the state and local departments of health, local law enforcement agencies, and other key health entities. The Whitman College Response Plan intends to be in compliance with all state laws and regulations and will be updated to include planning by state and other pertinent agencies when this information becomes available. Every effort has been made to ensure inclusion of all essential elements in an influenza pandemic plan; however, the plan will continue to be a dynamic document. Since no plan can accurately anticipate the scope of a pandemic and its impact on a community, individual responsibility for safety and well-being is strongly emphasized.

With the safety of our community being our first priority, Whitman College will make recommendations to students and personnel about plans for suspending specific or all operations based on consultation with health authorities as well as what our Emergency Operations Team sees is in the best interest of our community. Planning for a pandemic at Whitman addresses all levels of operation across all departments. For further information about pandemics, please feel free to contact the members of the Pandemic Planning Team (see below).

Also, you may research pandemics through the following links:

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources site: one-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information. Includes planning tools and checklists, Q&A, links, current updates, etc.
• Interim Pre-Pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States – Early, Targeted, Layered Use of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions - This interim guidance from CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services introduces a Pandemic Severity Index to characterize the severity of a pandemic. It provides planning recommendations for specific interventions that communities may use for a given level of pandemic severity and suggests when these measures should be started and how long they should be used.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
• The World Health Organization’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert Response Information website.
• The Washington State Department of Health site with FAQ’s and preparation information.
• Washington State Board of Health Web site.
• Walla Walla County Health Department Web site.
• Walla Walla County Emergency Management Department.
• Checklist to help individuals gather the information and resources that may need in event of a pandemic.
• Information from the Washington State Department of Health on family preparedness for a pandemic.
• Government information to help families and individuals prepare for a pandemic.

strong>WHITMAN COLLEGE PANDEMIC PLANNING TEAM

• Tracee Anderson, Chair — Counseling Center
• Susan Holme Brick — Director of International Programs
• Tony Cabasco — Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
• Tom Callister — Associate Dean of the Faculty
• Charles Cleveland — Dean of Students
• Ellen Collette — Director of Welty Health Center
• Roger Edens — General Manager of Bon Appetit – Dining Services
• Peter Harvey — Treasurer, Secretary to the Board of Trustees
• Mukulu Mweu — Associate Dean of Students: Intercultural Programs and Services
• Dan Park — Director of Physical Plant
• Keiko Pitter — Chief Technology Officer
• Kathy Rogers — Safety Coordinator
• Nancy Tavelli — Associate Dean of Students: Campus Life and Director of Residence Life
• Terry Thompson — Director of Security
• Ruth Wardwell — Director of Communications
• Cindy Waring — Director of Administrative Services