Marsh, the world's leading insurance broker and risk advisor, will hold a one-hour Webcast, Thursday, May 7 at 11 a.m. (EDT) on H1N1 flu, pandemic preparedness and response.

The sudden emergence of a new strain of influenza virus (A/H1N1) has drawn attention to the need for effective preparedness by governments and businesses to manage the risks from an epidemic or global pandemic. First reported in Mexico this spring, cases of H1N1 flu have been diagnosed in patients in 11 countries to date, including the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Scotland, Spain, Israel, and New Zealand.

This week, the World Health Organization twice elevated the pandemic alert level associated with the current H1N1 flu strain, indicating a pandemic is "imminent" and calling for national governments to immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans and remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia; the United States declared a "public health emergency," advised against non-essential travel to Mexico, and began releasing stockpiles of anti-viral medications, and businesses around the world braced for impacts that could include serious losses in both human and economic terms.

The Marsh Webcast, "H1N1 Flu and Pandemic Preparedness," will feature a panel discussion to address questions related to managing the business and employee risks associated with the current flu virus and pandemics in general. 

Toby L. Merlin, MD, deputy director, Influenza Coordination Unit at the Centers for Disease Control, and Sandra Carson, vice president – director of Crisis Management, Sysco, will participate in the Marsh Webcast, along with Marsh experts Gary Lynch, global leader of the firm's Supply Chain Risk Management Practice; Robert Wilkerson, a leader in Marsh's Crisis Management Practice; Patrick Hickey, leader of Marsh’s Risk Consulting Practice in Mexico, and Paul McVey, leader of Marsh's National Property Claims Practice.  Brian Elowe, a managing director of Marsh's Global Risk Management division, will serve as moderator.