Avian Flu: Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Plan (ComPlan) Department of Tourism Philippines Avian Flu Task Force

Influenza Pandemics in History In 1918, “Spanish Flu” killed million humans (H1N1 Virus). In 1918, “Spanish Flu” killed million humans (H1N1 Virus). In 1957, “Asian Flu” killed 1-4 million humans (H2N2 Virus). In 1957, “Asian Flu” killed 1-4 million humans (H2N2 Virus). In 1968, “Hong Kong Flu” killed 1-4 million humans (H3N2 Virus). In 1968, “Hong Kong Flu” killed 1-4 million humans (H3N2 Virus). On Feb. 3, 2007, Indonesia sets to declare a national disaster when avian flu killed 63 people. On Feb. 3, 2007, Indonesia sets to declare a national disaster when avian flu killed 63 people. On Feb. 3, 2007, Nigeria reports first case of avian flu in humans. On Feb. 3, 2007, Nigeria reports first case of avian flu in humans. Recently, London reported a case of avian flu in a farm (H7 strain). Recently, London reported a case of avian flu in a farm (H7 strain). Traces of H5N1 virus was discovered in a Hong Kong market leading to the slaughter of 2,700 poultry 1 st week of June Eighteen people were infected with bird flu in Hong Kong in Six of the victims died. Traces of H5N1 virus was discovered in a Hong Kong market leading to the slaughter of 2,700 poultry 1 st week of June Eighteen people were infected with bird flu in Hong Kong in Six of the victims died.

The Crisis A Crisis is any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of an institution (e.g., tourism industry). A Crisis is any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of an institution (e.g., tourism industry). Principal cause: adverse or negative media attention. Principal cause: adverse or negative media attention. Examples: fire, flood, tornado, manmade disaster or in this case, an influenza pandemic. Examples: fire, flood, tornado, manmade disaster or in this case, an influenza pandemic. If handled correctly the damage can be minimized (to the industry). If handled correctly the damage can be minimized (to the industry). When crisis occurs, call your boss and PR Dept immediately to implement or not the Plan. When crisis occurs, call your boss and PR Dept immediately to implement or not the Plan.

WHO Phases of Pandemic Alert

WHO Update WHO believes that the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since WHO uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert as a system for informing the world of the seriousness of the threat. WHO believes that the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since WHO uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert as a system for informing the world of the seriousness of the threat. The designation of phases, including decisions on when to move from one phase to another, is made by the Director- General of WHO. The designation of phases, including decisions on when to move from one phase to another, is made by the Director- General of WHO. Each phase of alert coincides with a series of recommended activities to be undertaken by WHO. Each phase of alert coincides with a series of recommended activities to be undertaken by WHO. The world is presently in phase 3: a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and sustainably among humans. The world is presently in phase 3: a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and sustainably among humans. In Bangladesh, the first bird flu case (16-yo child with H5N1) was detected in March Culled 1.6M fowl and destroyed 2.2M eggs. In Bangladesh, the first bird flu case (16-yo child with H5N1) was detected in March Culled 1.6M fowl and destroyed 2.2M eggs. As of June 2008, Indonesia has the highest death toll at 108 confirmed human fatalities of the 241 people killed in a dozen countries from bird flu. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the virus has claimed its 109 th victim ( As of June 2008, Indonesia has the highest death toll at 108 confirmed human fatalities of the 241 people killed in a dozen countries from bird flu. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the virus has claimed its 109 th victim (

The Crisis Communication Team Key members: Secretaries (DOT, DA, DOH), Usecs, Directors, Regl Directors, Legal Dept, PRs, media, health dept, police, others Key members: Secretaries (DOT, DA, DOH), Usecs, Directors, Regl Directors, Legal Dept, PRs, media, health dept, police, others Plan of action and designated spokesperson Plan of action and designated spokesperson A management recall roster with contact numbers A management recall roster with contact numbers List of team members and responsibilities List of team members and responsibilities

Public Relations Dept Comprised of competent people who can answer phones and assist media Comprised of competent people who can answer phones and assist media Prepared statement for media is recommended Prepared statement for media is recommended Appropriate messages: “Tell it all, tell it fast and tell the truth” Appropriate messages: “Tell it all, tell it fast and tell the truth” Don’t let lawyers make the decisions Don’t let lawyers make the decisions

Steps to Undertake Decide on the role of DOT in such emergencies (minimize damage to industry) Decide on the role of DOT in such emergencies (minimize damage to industry) Designate a spokesperson with deputies Designate a spokesperson with deputies Designate backup spokespersons: technical experts or advisors Designate backup spokespersons: technical experts or advisors Establish media center and media policies and procedures (e.g., locations, interviews, oculars, controls, answering tough questions) Establish media center and media policies and procedures (e.g., locations, interviews, oculars, controls, answering tough questions) Do collateral materials: technical, fact sheets, how-to handouts Do collateral materials: technical, fact sheets, how-to handouts Select audience: tourism public Select audience: tourism public

Authority and Reference UNWTO call for all member organizations to respond to avian flu and be prepared for possible human pandemic on April 13, 2006; UNWTO call for all member organizations to respond to avian flu and be prepared for possible human pandemic on April 13, 2006; DOT Circular No dated October 17, 2006 created Avian Flu Task Force chaired by Usec. Oscar Palabyab, membered by Dir. Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Dir Rolando Canizal, and RD Ronaldo Tiotuico; DOT Circular No dated October 17, 2006 created Avian Flu Task Force chaired by Usec. Oscar Palabyab, membered by Dir. Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Dir Rolando Canizal, and RD Ronaldo Tiotuico; DOT Memo Circular No dated February 5, 2007 informing officials and employees of the department, including pubic and private sectors, on the creation of the DOT-Avian Flu Tourism Task Force; DOT Memo Circular No dated February 5, 2007 informing officials and employees of the department, including pubic and private sectors, on the creation of the DOT-Avian Flu Tourism Task Force;

Objectives Anticipate crises and prevent them when possible; Anticipate crises and prevent them when possible; Respond to crises effectively (e.g., accurate verification, timely notification, rapid assembly of crisis, effective response to rumors); Respond to crises effectively (e.g., accurate verification, timely notification, rapid assembly of crisis, effective response to rumors); Provide timely, accurate and helpful information to the tourism public, stakeholders, partners, media and other audiences before, during and after the crisis Provide timely, accurate and helpful information to the tourism public, stakeholders, partners, media and other audiences before, during and after the crisis

Scope of the ComPlan Direct communication from the DOT through external relations with the news media; and Direct communication from the DOT through external relations with the news media; and Information dissemination to educate the tourism public regarding exposure risks and effective response (consideration for special needs-population like language translation when necessary) Information dissemination to educate the tourism public regarding exposure risks and effective response (consideration for special needs-population like language translation when necessary)

Media News Policy Open-door news media policy Open-door news media policy Responses to news media should be prompt, accurate and credible Responses to news media should be prompt, accurate and credible Task force reserves the right to suspend open- door policy in highly sensitive or controversial situations and public health emergencies; Task force reserves the right to suspend open- door policy in highly sensitive or controversial situations and public health emergencies; In such situations, all news media inquiries should be directed to the Office of the Secretary, or his designee; In such situations, all news media inquiries should be directed to the Office of the Secretary, or his designee;

When to Activate the Plan Unexplained disease, syndrome, or deaths; Single case of disease caused by influenza-like illness Multiple unusual or unexplained disease entities coexisting in the same patient without other explanation; Disease with unusual geographic or seasonal distribution (e.g., influenza in the summer);

When to Activate…… Unusual “typical patient” distribution (e.g., several adults with unexplained rash) Unusual, atypical, genetically engineered, or antiquated strain of agent Endemic disease with unexplained increase in incidence Simultaneous clusters of similar illness in non- contiguous areas Death or illness among birds or animals, which may be unexplained, that precedes or accompanies illness or death in humans.

Concept of Operations National 1. Department of Tourism 2. Department of Health 3. Department of Agriculture 4. National Tourism Associations (PTAA, PHILTOA, NAITAS, IATA, SKAL, PATTO, ETC.) 5. National Media Associations

Concept of Operations Regional 1. DOT Regional Office 2. DOH Regional Office 3. DA Regional Office 4. Regional Tourism Council 5. Hotels and Restaurants Assoc. 6. Travel Agencies Assoc. 7. Airline Operators, if any 8. Other

Concept of Operations Local LGU Operations 1. LGU thru provincial or city tourism 2. Local health officer 3. Local agriculture officer 4. Local tourism-related assoc. 5. Other

News Dissemination Methods Interviews Interviews News releases thru , fax, Web News releases thru , fax, Web Updates posted on Updates posted on News conferences News conferences Media briefings Media briefings Other (video or audio news releases, or news features Other (video or audio news releases, or news features

DOT Hotline To be activated upon: –Declaration of the national government; –Order of the DOT Secretary; or –Order of the Department of Health.

The Technical Working Groups –Leadership (Command and Control) –Content and Clearance –Clinician Communication –Communication Monitoring and Research –Community Health Education –Government Communication –Hotline –Media –Public Health Communication/Partners –Spokesperson –Web

Worksheets to be Accomplished Staffing Planning Worksheet Call Tracking sheet Media Log Planning Worksheet Message Development Event Assessment Situation Verification Worksheet Notification/Coordination Worksheet Stakeholder Reaction Assessment Equipment and Supplies Worksheet Strategies and Techniques Worksheet

The Budget Equipment and supplies Equipment and supplies Salaries and wages (outsourced staffing) Salaries and wages (outsourced staffing) Transportation and communication Transportation and communication Website development Website development Collateral materials (printing) Collateral materials (printing) Representation Representation

It wasn’t even raining when Noah built the Ark! Let’s be prepared.