Business
Preparing For The Pandemic: Microbix Makes Its Response Plan Freely Available To Other Employers and Employees
Preparing For The Pandemic: Microbix Makes Its Response Plan Freely Available To Other Employers and Employees.
About this update from Microbix Biosystems Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\nTORONTO, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Concerned about the lack of practical information\non how to prepare for a possible pandemic, Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX:MBX)\nhas decided to share its influenza Pandemic Response Plan with other companies\nand individuals worldwide.\n\"There is very little useable information out there, so we felt that we\nhad to do something to help families and businesses protect themselves in the\nevent of a major flu pandemic,\" said William J. Gastle, President and CEO of\nMicrobix.\nMicrobix's copyrighted response plan has now been posted on the company's\nwebsite - www.microbix.com - where it is available for viewing. Those wishing\nto copy the plan may do so free of charge with the permission of the company\n(requests can simply be emailed to Microbix at microbix(at)microbix.com).\n\"Our health care system would be overwhelmed by a pandemic and unable to\nhandle everyone affected,\" Gastle noted. \"That's why it is so important for\nemployers and employees to have the necessary knowledge and tools. They need\nto know how to prepare and what to do in order to minimize their exposure to\ninfection.\"\nMicrobix is a virology company that develops biotherapeutic drugs and\nvaccines. \"Our scientists and researchers work with flu virus every day, so we\nhave a lot of resident knowledge,\" said Gastle. \"Our response plan is\npragmatic, easily understood instructions advice and materials designed to\nhelp our employees protect themselves, their families, and our business as\nmuch as possible. Now we want everyone to have this information.\"\nMany influenza experts believe that the avian flu will one day mutate\ninto a virus that causes a global pandemic. \"We think our Pandemic Response\nPlan will assist in protecting the lives of employees and their families as\nwell as continued business operations,\" Gastle said.\nThe plan has been prepared to ensure that it is consistent with public\nhealth advice contained in published guidelines of the Government of Canada,\nthe Ontario Ministry of Health, and, where applicable, the Centers For Disease\nControl in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.\n\nThere are four elements to the plan:\n\n- steps employees can take to protect themselves and their families\n\n- a suggested kit containing supplies needed to help minimize the risk\n of contracting the virus (Microbix is ordering ...