News Release

Oct. 18, 2006

BSU Profs Work to Develop Strategy for Business Continuity in Case of Bird Flu Pandemic

Boise State University has received a $20,000 grant from the Central District Health Department to develop a planning strategy for assuring business continuity during a possible avian influenza (bird flu) pandemic. The project will address the needs of small to mid-sized companies in the Treasure Valley. In a collaborative effort between the College of Health Sciences and the College of Business and Economics, professors Uwe Reischl and Sandy Gough will explore methods for projecting the impact of a bird flu pandemic on local business operations and will suggest strategies for maintaining basic business operations during a pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipate that the H5N1 influenza virus will reach the United States in the near future. The potential health and economic consequences for Idaho could be far-reaching.

“A bird-flu pandemic will be very different from other disasters,” said Reischl. “There will be no physical destruction due to fire, flooding, or collapsing buildings. Bird flu will be an ‘equal opportunity’ disease that will be able to infect anyone in Idaho and in the U.S. This requires a unique preparedness strategy both at the individual level and at the business level. Our collaborative project with Central District Health will address the specific needs of the Treasure Valley and will consider novel strategies for minimizing the effects of a bird flu pandemic on the business community.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified local business preparedness as a priority. Assisting local companies in the development of business continuity plans may help protect the social and business infrastructure in Idaho during a pandemic.

“The public will need to purchase food, gasoline, access their bank accounts, use their phones and be provided with water, gas and electricity for their homes,” said Gough. “Keeping businesses open and public services operational must be considered in a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan. We believe that application of innovative management methods and procedures will be able to help local businesses continue operating during a bird flu pandemic and reduce the social and economic impact of the emergency.”

Plans are for the project to be finished by June 30, 2007.

-30-

Contacts: Uwe Reischl, College of Health Sciences, (208) 426-2445, ureischl@boisestate.edu; Sandy Gough, College of Business and Economics, (208) 426-4012, sgough@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu

Where you see blue, we see the largest institution of higher education in Idaho. For the ninth time in the last 10 years, Boise State University has set an all‑ time state record with a fall enrollment of 18,876 students. Since 1996, Boise State’s student population has increased 25 percent.

 

The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State University
1910 University Drive - Boise Idaho 83725-1030
Located in Capitol Village, 2225 W. University Drive

208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001

email communications@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007