Preparing for Pandemic Flu: A Community Guide

2009·0.36 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Preparing for Pandemic Flu:
A Community Guide
P U
L
A F
NDEM I C
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES
Introduction
Learn • Plan • Protect
By now you probably have heard about
pandemic infl uenza, also known as
P U pandemic fl u. You may be frightened
ANDEMI C FL bmya wy hnaott ythoiun kh athvea th iet aisr da abnigd dreeaadl, .o Yro yuo u During the 20th century, there were
might not know what to think. You should three serious infl uenza pandemics, killing
know that experts believe that another millions of people.
infl uenza (fl u) pandemic will strike
• 1918 The Spanish Flu killed tens
sometime in the future. If this happens,
of millions of people around the
Contents millions of people around the world
world, including at least 500,000
could get sick with, and even die from,
people in the United States.
a new kind of fl u virus. It could aff ect
you, your family, and your community. • 1957 The Asian Flu killed about
Introduction ...............................................................................1 This Community Guide is a way to 2 million people worldwide,
including 70,000 people in the
help educate and prepare you and
1. Learn About Pandemic Flu ..............................................2 United States.
all Missourians for pandemic fl u. This
2. Plan for Pandemic Flu .......................................................4 guide will help you LEARN more about • 1968 The Hong Kong Flu killed
infl uenza, PLAN how to respond to the up to 1 million people, including
3. Protect Against Pandemic Flu ........................................8 next major fl u pandemic, and fi nd the approximately 34,000 people in
best ways to PROTECT yourself against the United States.
Other Information Resources ...........................................12 this serious health threat.
Because fl u pandemics tend to occur
The next fl u pandemic could start in cycles, and because there has not
anywhere in the world with little been a major fl u pandemic in many
warning. Because modern technology years, experts believe that we are due
makes it easier for people to travel for one.
around the world, diseases like the fl u
can be quickly carried from country to We urge you to read this guide, put
country. Once it begins, pandemic fl u what you learn into action, and take an
may also come in waves over a period active role in getting ready. The more
of time, aff ecting diff erent communities in prepared we are now, the more lives
diff erent ways. can be saved in the future. The best way
to prepare is to learn, plan, and protect.
1
1. Learn About Because the new pandemic fl u virus How is the fl u virus What is avian fl u, and
would be able to travel easily from spread? should we be concerned?
Pandemic Flu
person to person, it could spread quickly
The fl u virus spreads when infected Avian fl u, also known as “bird fl u,” is
over long distances to millions of people
What is the diff erence worldwide. The result would be a fl u people cough or sneeze; they spray caused by certain fl u viruses normally
between seasonal fl u pandemic. infectious respiratory droplets into the found in wild migratory birds, like
air, then into the eyes, mouth, or nose ducks and geese, and domestic birds,
and pandemic fl u?
of people nearby. These droplets can like chickens. There has been a lot of
Seasonal fl u is a contagious respiratory also fall onto surfaces that people touch concern about one type of bird fl u virus
disease that is caused by infl uenza before touching their nose, mouth, or called “H5N1,” which has aff ected
viruses. Occurring every year, the fl u eyes, allowing the fl u to spread. People birds, and even a few people, in other
typically is found in the fall and winter. infected with the fl u can also leave the countries. This bird fl u, which only very
Health problems from the fl u can include virus on objects they touch if they have rarely aff ects humans, is not the same as
pneumonia and the worsening of chronic fl u germs on their hands. This is why pandemic fl u, which could aff ect millions
illnesses. Seasonal fl u can cause serious frequent hand-washing is an important of people worldwide.
illness and even death, and it poses way to lower a person’s risk of getting Because there are many types of bird fl u
a risk for people with weak immune the fl u, along with avoiding close contact viruses in the world, and because one of
systems. However, seasonal fl u is usually with people who have fl u-like illness. them could change into a new type of
not severe in most people, because they How do you treat fl u virus that easily spreads from person
are already partly protected by having What are the symptoms to person, these viruses are being closely
pandemic fl u?
had a similar fl u virus before. Annual fl u of seasonal fl u? Are watched. Disease experts are looking
shots also play a key role in protecting they diff erent if it is The treatment for pandemic fl u usually is for signs that any of these viruses might
people from getting seasonal fl u. pandemic fl u? similar to that for seasonal fl u, including: be changing into a new type of virus that
• Staying home to avoid spreading could cause pandemic fl u in people.
Pandemic fl u is diff erent and can be Seasonal fl u symptoms include:
it to others.
much worse. Pandemic fl u can cause • Coughing
a worldwide outbreak of a new form • Fever • Drinking lots of fl uids.
of fl u virus, which spreads easily from • Fatigue • Getting plenty of rest.
person to person because they have no • Headache
• Taking pain relievers like
immunity. • Sore throat
acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve
• Stuff y or runny nose
fever and muscle aches. Never
Pandemic fl u occurs when a fl u • Muscle aches
give aspirin to children or teenagers
virus goes through changes (called
“mutations”) that create a new virus that Pandemic fl u symptoms may be more who have fl u-like symptoms,
the body has never encountered. This severe versions of seasonal fl u symptoms especially fever.
means that the person has no immunity and may include symptoms not usually • Taking medication if a doctor feels it
to the new virus and is not prepared to seen with the fl u, such as diarrhea or is necessary, especially if symptoms
fi ght it. There also would be no fl u shots fl uid-fi lled lungs. If pandemic fl u does are severe and if medication is
available (at fi rst) to help stop the spread occur, offi cials will alert the public of any available and eff ective.
of this new fl u virus. new or diff erent symptoms of the new fl u
and provide advice on how best to deal
with them.
2 3
What is the potential 2. Plan for • Finding ways to help communities If you have a child in school, you will
impact of pandemic fl u? provide important services, like public need to:
Pandemic Flu
safety and health, to their citizens
The impact of a fl u pandemic, or world- • Know the school’s response plan for
during a fl u pandemic.
wide fl u epidemic, is diffi cult to predict What are federal, state, pandemic fl u.
and would depend on many factors. and local governments, • Bringing diff erent government • Make sure that the school has up-to-
However, based on past experience, the agencies, social service groups,
including Missouri, doing date contact information for you and
eff ects of a pandemic could be severe and community leaders together to
to prepare for pandemic another family member.
and felt in almost every part of the world. plan how they can respond to
fl u?
About one-third of the population could pandemic fl u. • Know what steps will be taken to
fall sick, and many more people would Government agencies worldwide protect students, faculty, and staff
have to stay home to take care of them. (including the Missouri Department of from the fl u, such as the school’s plan
Health and Senior Services and local to isolate those students who have fl u
Having such a large part of the
public health departments) and many symptoms.
population not working could cause
Missouri businesses, organizations and
harmful eff ects, such as: groups are preparing for pandemic fl u. • Ask the school to encourage students,
• Stopping critical services like public faculty, and staff to wash their hands
In the United States, the federal
transportation, communications, with soap and water during the day
government is:
schools, banks, stores, restaurants, and to practice other good hygiene,
utilities, medical care, and police, • Storing up medicines and supplies such as covering their nose and
fi re fi ghting, and emergency medical and working on new vaccines. mouth when they sneeze or cough.
services.
• Producing public health guidelines What to do about your job:
• Creating a serious, negative impact and strategies to help protect our Employers across Missouri are working on
on the world economy. country from pandemic fl u. What can you do plans to make sure that their businesses
to prepare for
continue in the event of a fl u pandemic.
• Overwhelming hospitals, whose staff • Watching for outbreaks of diff erent pandemic fl u? Depending on your job, you may need to
may also be sick or caring for sick fl u viruses and standing ready to
make special arrangements for your family.
family members. As a result, hospitals quickly respond to them. Step 1: Create a Plan
Be sure to talk with your employer and
may be unable to care for all patients
needing medical attention. • Helping state, local, and tribal If pandemic fl u does strike, it could make understand your workplace’s plans. You
leaders develop response plans for many of us sick very quickly. We all will need to know:
• Keeping stores from being resupplied pandemic fl u, and creating better need to know what to do if pandemic
• If your workplace has a pandemic fl u
with food, medications, and many ways to share health information. fl u aff ects us. It is important to have a
plan and what your role is.
other important items. plan in place so that the whole family
Missouri and other states also have health
knows how to respond. For example, • If you will be able to work from
Although the thought of pandemic fl u may emergency plans in place, including:
if pandemic fl u does strike, sick family home, and how to get ready for that
make us uncomfortable, each of us can • Plans for getting fl u shots to many members will need care, so it is important option.
take important steps to protect ourselves, people quickly when the fl u vaccine to plan for how that can be done.
our families, and our communities. becomes available. • That people in some jobs, such as
health care workers or utility workers,
may not be able to work from home.
------•- - - - - - - - - - -•------
4 5
If this is the case for you, then make Step 2: Prepare Supplies Personal supplies include: Be sure to check and update all
sure to plan for your child care emergency supplies to make sure that
needs. To be better prepared for emergencies, • Important family documents food, water, and other dated items
such as a fl u pandemic, gather and store • Feminine hygiene products are fresh.
• That schools or traditional child care at least a two-week supply of basic items.
facilities may be closed during the These should include a variety of supplies • V ision aids, such as glasses or
worst part of the pandemic. In that that will help you survive at home with contact solution
case, you may need someone to little or no outside help. While not all of
care for your children at home. these items will be needed during a fl u • Dental supplies
If you are a person with functional needs pandemic, it is a good idea to have them • E ntertainment (videos/DVDs, books,
living at a special-care facility, or you on hand for other emergencies. magazines, music)
are a caregiver of a person with functional Basic supplies include: • Baby supplies
needs:
• W ater — at least one gallon per • Pet supplies
• Review the special-care facility’s
person per day
emergency plans.
If you have functional needs, your supplies
• C anned or dried food (including should include:
• Know where necessary medication is
high-protein sources)
stored. • A list of prescription and
• Household-cleaning supplies (bleach, nonprescription medicines, including
• Have your medical equipment Step 3: Be Active in Preparing
disinfectant sprays) dosages, and keep extra doses on
clearly labeled with your identifying Your Neighborhood
hand if possible
information. • Battery-powered radio and Community
• A list of allergies and other medical
If you are a person with functional needs • M anual can opener conditions Continue learning about pandemic fl u.
living at home, or you are the caregiver Be a leader in your neighborhood in
of a person with functional needs: • Flashlight • E xtra eyeglasses and hearing-aid making plans. Talk to neighbors who
• Identify people who can help you in • Extra batteries batteries, if necessary may be elderly or disabled to see what
you can do to help. Think about how
case of a disease outbreak or other • Extra wheelchair batteries or other
• Thermometer your neighborhood could help meet
emergency. special equipment, if necessary
their needs, such as supplying food or
• Give someone you trust a key to • N on-aspirin pain reliever • A list of the brand/style and serial medicine, in case pandemic fl u disrupts
your house or apartment, and let • P aper and pencil to keep a record of numbers of medical devices services. Be active in your church,
that person know where emergency symptoms and to jot down questions • Copies of medical insurance and school, or social groups by leading
supplies are located. discussions about planning for pandemic
Medicare and Medicaid cards
• Prescription medication and fl u or by inviting speakers from the local
• Wear a medical-alert tag or fi rst-aid kits • A list of doctors health department or hospital. Talk to your
bracelet to identify existing medical co-workers and friends about their plans,
conditions, allergies, or other • E xtra bath and hand soap • A list of emergency contacts and and share ideas.
medical needs. family members
• P hone numbers of close neighbors
who can help
------•- - - - - - - - - - -•------
6 7
3. Protect Against Practice Cough and Listen for Information
Sneeze Protection
Pandemic Flu Public health and other authorities will
When coughing or sneezing: spread the word of an oncoming fl u
pandemic through your local media. You
While state and local governments and
• Move and/or turn away from will receive important details on current
many other organizations are working
others. events and services available to you,
hard to prepare for pandemic fl u, you
symptoms you should look for, necessary
must also be responsible for your own • Cover your mouth and nose with a
actions to help reduce the impact of
safety. There are simple steps that you tissue, paper towel, or other barrier,
a major outbreak, and other useful
and your family can take to help protect then throw it away.
information.
yourselves against the spread of fl u,
whether seasonal or pandemic. • If you do not have a tissue, use the
How to wash your hands well: crook of your elbow or your sleeve;
Practice Good do not use your hand.
Hand-Washing • Wet hands with warm water.
• After coughing or sneezing, always
Washing your hands is a simple and • Lather both hands with soap and wash your hands with soap and
very good way to stop spreading germs, make lots of suds. warm water.
including those that cause fl u. You should
always wash your hands: • Scrub hands together well for at Cleaning and Disinfecting
least 20 seconds. An easy way to
• A fter coughing, sneezing, or blowing make sure you wash your hands long You can also prevent spreading germs
your nose. enough is to say your ABCs while by cleaning and disinfecting areas used
by many diff erent people. Countertops,
washing your hands. Rinse when you
• B efore and after helping a sick sinks, doorknobs, tables, and telephones
get to Z.
person. are all surfaces that should be disinfected
• Rinse hands thoroughly, and dry them on a regular basis. Examples of
• B efore and after handling or
completely with a clean towel. disinfectants include: Examples of steps that
cooking food.
authorities may ask the
• In public restrooms, use a paper • Disinfectant sprays
• Before serving or eating food. public to follow include:
towel, if available, to turn off the
• Sanitizing wipes
• After using the restroom. faucet and to open and close doors. • Practice good hygiene, such as hand-
washing and covering sneezes and
• Liquid disinfectants
• After changing diapers. • Alcohol-based hand-cleaning gels coughs.
can also be eff ective if soap and Personal items, such as toothbrushes,
• A fter touching animals or cleaning up water are unavailable, or in addition drinking cups, straws, cosmetics, eating • Stay home from work or school if you
their waste. to soap and water. To kill germs utensils, washcloths, or any other items become ill with the fl u.
• After doing unsanitary chores, like this way, simply apply gel over that have been near a person’s mouth or • Avoid public gatherings, and cancel
cleaning the bathroom or handling both hands and rub them together nose, including cell phones, should not large events.
until dry. However, soap and warm be shared.
trash.
water should always be used, when • Listen for instructions on where to
possible. go for vaccine when it becomes
available.
------•------------•------
8 9
Public health authorities are reliable Current shots for seasonal fl u will not • Avoiding handling and/or eating sick Call to Action
sources of information. They will post protect against pandemic fl u viruses, game animals. Always handle healthy
up-to-date information on their web sites because pandemic fl u viruses will be game with rubber gloves.
History shows us that our communities
and work closely with the news media to brand new with no eff ective vaccine
send important information to the public. available to provide protection at Because of the possible risk of avian fl u, pull together and grow stronger during
In case of an outbreak, hotlines will also fi rst. Once the virus makes itself people who raise or work with poultry, diffi cult times. We all can fi nd strength
be opened to answer questions about known, scientists can begin creating a such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys by drawing closer to our friends and
the outbreak. matching vaccine, but this process will should: neighbors, being informed, and staying
prepared for emergencies. You can play
take months. And as the new vaccine
Vaccines for Pandemic Flu • Keep domestic poultry and wild birds a very important part in getting yourself,
becomes available, the fi rst doses will be
separate. your family, and your community ready
Flu vaccinations (shots) are a safe and used only for certain groups of people, for the next fl u pandemic. Since nobody
eff ective way to ward off seasonal fl u, the such as emergency workers, health • Follow cleaning and disinfection knows when the next pandemic will
kind of fl u that occurs every year. The fl u care workers, and people at high risk of guidelines for buildings, equipment and strike, now is the best time to learn, plan,
shot helps the body fi ght off seasonal fl u, serious fl u complications. vehicles, when notifi ed to do so by and protect.
so it helps keep a person from getting agriculture authorities.
Caution with Animals
sick if he or she comes into contact with
• Follow other infection-control guidelines
seasonal fl u viruses. You cannot get the Contact with animals is normally not a
when necessary or when notifi ed to do
fl u from fl u shots. concern for human fl u infection in the
so by agriculture authorities.
United States; however, animals can be a
source of germs in general. People who
• Report to the Missouri Department
own or work with animals should always
of Agriculture birds that are showing
take basic safety precautions to stop the
major changes in their health or
spread of germs by:
behavior.
• Washing hands after handling animals
• Wear personal protective equipment,
or contaminated items.
such as a respirator, when directed to
do so by the employer and/or public
• Keeping pets out of areas where food
health offi cials.
is prepared.
• Limiting close contact between
animals and young children as well as
people with weak immune systems,
since these people may be more
at risk of infection. Children should
avoid areas where animals relieve
themselves.
• B eing careful when handling ducks,
geese and other wild game birds.

- - - - -•- - - - - - - - - -•- - - - -
10 11
Other Information Resources About the Missouri Department of
Health and Senior Services
Contact the Missouri Department of Health
and Senior Services at health.mo.gov, click on
Pandemic Infl uenza, or call 573-526-4768. The mission of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is to
be the leader in promoting, protecting, and partnering for health.
Contact your local public health agency.
Additional Resources Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570, Jeff erson City, Missouri 65102-0570
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Phone: [phone]
Services and the Centers for Disease Control
Email: [email protected]
and Prevention:
health.mo.gov
• www.pandemicfl u.gov
• www.avianfl u.gov
• 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636 To report a public health emergency, call 1-800-392-0272.
• 1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
This toll-free phone number is staff ed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Alternate forms of this publication for people with disabilities may be
• www.who.int/csr/disease/infl uenza/en/index.html obtained by contacting the offi ce listed above.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Hearing-impaired citizens telephone [phone].
• www.ready.gov AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
• 1-800-BE-READY or 1-800-237-3239
• 1-800-464-6161 (TTY) Services provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.
For information on coping with traumatic events, go to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) mental health web site at:
www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/. Endorsed by:

www.dps.mo.gov/homelandsecurity www.sema.dps.mo.gov www.redcross.org
---------•1---------
204-R10-06
12