print this pagePandemic Influenza Planning
A Guide for Individuals and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
January 2006
This guide is designed to help you understand the threat of a pandemic flu outbreak in our country and your community. It describes common sense actions that you can take in preparing for a pandemic. Each individual and family should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your community.
Pandemic Influenza
An influenza (flu) pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that people have not been exposed to before. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks of influenza. Seasonal flu outbreaks are caused by viruses that people have already been exposed to; flu shots are available to help prevent widespread illness, and impacts on society are less severe. Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus.
A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for months at a time. Everyday life could be disrupted due to people in communities across the country becoming ill at the same time. These disruptions could include everything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as public transportation and health care. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
Some Differences Between Seasonal Flu and Pandemic Flu
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Seasonal Flu |
Pandemic Flu |
|---|---|
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Caused by influenza viruses that are similar to those already affecting people. |
Caused by a new influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before. Likely to be more severe, affect more people, and cause more deaths than seasonal flu because people will not have immunity to the new virus. |
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Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. Deaths can be caused by complications such as pneumonia. |
Symptoms similar to the common flu may be more severe and complications more serious. |
|
Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications (the very young, the elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions at increased risk for serious complications). |
Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious complications. |
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Generally causes modest impact on society (e.g., some school closings, encouragement of people who are sick to stay home). |
A severe pandemic could change the patterns of daily life for some time. People may choose to stay home to keep away from others who are sick. Also, people may need to stay home to care for ill family and loved ones. Travel and public gatherings could be limited. Basic services and access to supplies could be disrupted. |
You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.
- To plan for a pandemic:
- Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
- Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
- Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
- Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.
- To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:
- Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
- Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
- Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.
- Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
Examples of food and non-perishables
Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment Protein or fruit bars Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash Dry cereal or granola Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen Peanut butter or nuts Thermometer Dried fruit Anti-diarrheal medication Crackers Vitamins Canned juices Fluids with electrolytes Bottled water Cleansing agent/soap Canned or jarred baby food and formula Flashlight Pet food Batteries Portable radio Manual can opener Garbage bags Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers
For more information about this subject and to download personal planning checklists, visit: http://www.pandemicflu.gov.