Usefulness of simulated cases for assessing pandemic influenza preparedness plans

Abstract

To evaluate compliance with preparedness plans, actors simulating avian influenza attended various hospital emergency departments and public health centres during the last quarter of 2007. Most centres (89%) did not respond correctly. The useful information obtained was sent to the medical and administrative staff who were responsible for the preparedness plans. Awareness of these errors and their rectification can lead to improvements in the response to any case of influenza with pandemic potential and in the capacity to combat any other emergent or re-emergent community infection. © 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2010 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.