Formed in 2008 as a result of Hurricane Ike, the Disaster Planning and Recovery Task Force promotes comprehensive regional recovery, damage and needs assessment, restoration, disaster-avoidance planning and private-sector preparedness. The Task Force defines priorties and concrete actions for recovery; identifies opportunities to rebuild better; and estabilshes plans to avoid, mitigate and optimize reaction to future disaster — both natural and man-made. The overall mission of the Task Force is to build a stronger and smarter Houston region that is more resiliient and can withstand challenges for a rapid recovery.
In June 2009, the Disaster Planning and Recovery Task Force presented to the Governor's Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal their recommendations in assisting the region's business community in preparing for future disasters. To obtain a copy of the report, please visit: [report attached].
In October 2009, the Greater Houston Partnership co-hosted the Pandemic Influenza Summit: Maintaining Business Continuity through Influenza Epidemics with the University of Texas Health Science Center, City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services and Devon Energy. The one-day forum was designed to educate members of the potential impact of a pandemic influenza on business operations and the importance of developing business continuity plans.
As the primary advocate of Houston's business community, the Greater Houston Partnership is closely monitoring the situation. We are in constant dialogue with state and regional public officials, some of the region's largest employers and medical experts to ensure a healthy work force and business continuity.
Below is a list of regional, state-wide, federal and international resources that are kept updated with the very latest developments.
Economic Impact of Influenza on the Houston Region
What does all this mean for Houston? If 20 to 40 percent of the population becomes infected with the virus, as some studies suggest, 1 to 2 million Houstonians would come down with the flu and 3,000-4,000 would die. A severe outbreak, like the 1918-1919 pandemic, would translate to 30,000 to 35,000 deaths in Houston. In a mild pandemic, Houston’s gross regional product would drop by about $5 billion (based on CBO estimates for the U.S. economy); in a severe pandemic, by about $16 billion.
Human Impact
Given global air travel, the virus could spread rapidly, leaving little or no time to prepare. Vaccines, antiviral drugs, and antibiotics would be in short supply and distributed unevenly. It would take months before an effective vaccine would be widely available.
How many people would get sick? In a typical influenza pandemic, 20 to 40 percent of the population is likely to become clinically ill. How many would die? Best case scenarios, based on the mild pandemics of 1957-58 and 1968-69, project U.S. deaths around 200,000 and global deaths in the range of 2 to 7.4 million. Other estimates that assume a more virulent virus, one similar to that responsible for the deadly 1918-19 pandemic, indicate a much higher number of deaths. If one translates the rate of death associated with the Spanish influenza to the current population, there could be 1.9 million deaths in the United States and 180 to 360 million deaths globally.
Pandemic Influenza Summit: Maintaining Business Continuity through Influenza Epidemics
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Planning: http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/defense/pandemic_influenza.htm
City of Houston Health and Human Services Department:
http://www.houstontx.gov/health/
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services:
http://www.hcphes.org/
Texas Department of State Health Services:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu/
Center for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security's FAQ on swine flu:
Homeland Security FAQ (PDQ)
World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
