Sandia's preparations include business continuity planning for such possible flu-related events as travel restrictions, high employee absentee rates over a several-week period, imposed telecommuting, and, in a worst-case scenario, shutdown of all but the most essential Sandia systems and infrastructures for days or weeks. As this planning develops, information for Sandia employees, travelers, contractors, managers, suppliers, retirees, and others will be made available here and will be continually updated.
Sandia is not alone. All U.S. federal government agencies are required to develop pandemic influenza contingency plans. Most companies with a global presence have been planning for avian flu outbreaks since 1998, when the virus emerged in Asia. Like Sandia, many more companies are beginning their planning now.
Sandia's effort is coordinated with parallel efforts at both Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin.
For more information about what the Department of Energy, Lockheed Martin, and local governments are doing to prepare for an avian flu pandemic, please see Additional Resources.