Health care professionals predict that a pandemic influenza outbreak is highly likely, if not inevitable, based on current conditions and historical data. Should the current bird flu influenza virus (H5N1) or a mutation thereof spread efficiently between humans, a worldwide pandemic could take place within as little as three weeks. The inevitable shortages of employees and resources make it essential that a law enforcement agency establish plans and take measures in advance to ensure that crucial law enforcement services are not unreasonably disrupted and that employees are provided with the means to prevent or mitigate the spread of infection.

This special order provides guidance for development of contingency plans, organization of resources, and establishment of departmental protocols that can be used to respond to and help mitigate the effects of a pandemic influenza or similar health emergency.

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