Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and storms can have a significant impact on our environment, including the habitats of insects like bees and yellow jackets. During these times, you can play an important role in ensuring the safety and well-being of your plan members, particularly those who may be at higher risk for allergic reactions to bee stings. Here's why preparedness matters and how you can help keep your team safe.
The impact of natural disasters on bee activity
Following hurricanes, for example, there’s often a notable increase in the disruption of underground nests of yellow jackets and bees.1 This disruption leads to a higher likelihood of swarms and stings as these insects seek new shelter and become more agitated. For people who are allergic to bee stings, this poses a severe health risk known as anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
The importance of EpiPens for allergic reactions
People with bee allergies are often prescribed an auto-injector that delivers a dose of epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions. These devices are commonly referred to using the brand-name “EpiPen®.”2 It’s critical for individuals with known bee allergies to have an epinephrine auto-injector readily available, especially during times of increased insect activity following natural disasters.
What you can do
To ensure the safety of your plan members, consider the following:
Education
Inform your employees about the increased risks of bee stings during and after natural disasters. Encourage them to talk to their care provider or pharmacist about how to identify signs of anaphylaxis and the importance of having an epinephrine auto-injector, if they have a known allergy.
Preparedness
Advise plan members to check the expiration date on their EpiPens and ensure they have a current prescription that some states have emergency prescription refill laws that authorize pharmacies and pharmacists to dispense early refills of certain medications when under an emergency declaration.
Laws vary by state. So, contact your state health department or talk to your pharmacist to learn more about the law where you live.
Safe storage
EpiPens should be stored in their original carrier tube at temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Educate plan members about not storing these devices in refrigerators, vehicle glove boxes, or exposing them to extreme temperatures to maintain their efficacy. Your plan members may benefit from talking to their care providers or pharmacists about the use of insulated medicine carrying cases, if extreme temperatures are a possibility.
Actionable plans
In your workplace, you may wish to create and disseminate a clear response plan for managing allergic reactions, which may include ensuring that trained personnel and first aid kits, including EpiPens, are available in the workplace. Similarly, employees should make their own plans for keeping themselves and their families safe when they’re off the clock.
Community resources
You and your plan members should be aware of the guidance of local health services to ensure your preparedness plans align with community resources. In North Carolina, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services was proactive in distributing Benadryl and epinephrine injections during natural disasters to meet increased demand in the wake of Hurricane Helene.3
In conclusion
By taking these proactive steps, you can play a key role in safeguarding your plan members, especially those vulnerable to bee stings, during natural disasters. Ensuring access to and proper storage of EpiPens can prevent potential health crises and demonstrate a commitment to the health and safety or your employees and their families.
References
1 Helene disrupts yellow jacket, bee nests in North Carolina, prompting massive Benadryl, EpiPen requests: cbsnews.com
2 EpiPen® (accessed October 2024): epipen.com
3 North Carolina distributes EpiPens and Benadryl as stinging insects swarm after Helene: pbs.org
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