What Is an Influenza Pandemic?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.
Historically, the 20th century saw 3 pandemics of influenza:
· 1918 influenza pandemic caused at least 500,000 U.S. deaths and up to 40 million deaths worldwide
· 1957 influenza pandemic caused at least 70,000 U.S. deaths and 1-2 million deaths worldwide
· 1968 influenza pandemic caused about 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 deaths worldwide
Characteristics and challenges of a pandemic
1. Rapid Worldwide Spread
· When a pandemic influenza virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable.
· Preparedness activities should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible.
· Countries might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it.
2. Health Care Systems Overloaded
· Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar. A substantial percentage of the world’s population will require some form of medical care.
· Nations unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment and hospital beds needed to cope with large numbers of people who suddenly fall ill.
· Death rates are high, largely determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
· Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves.
3. Medical Supplies Inadequate
· The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply.
· The need for antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic.
· A pandemic can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may be created to cope with demand
· Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.
4. Economic and Social Disruption
· Travel bans, closings of schools and businesses and cancellations of events could have major impact on communities and citizens.
· Care for sick family members and fear of exposure can result in significant worker absenteeism.
Communications and Information are Critical Components of Pandemic Response
Education and outreach are critical to preparing for a pandemic. Understanding what a pandemic is, what needs to be done at all levels to prepare for pandemic influenza, and what could happen during a pandemic helps us make informed decisions both as individuals and as a nation. Should a pandemic occur the public must be able to depend on its government to provide scientifically sound public health information quickly, openly and dependably. For additional information on pandemic influenza visit:
www.pandemicflu.govA pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks.
An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.
|
Pandemics Death |
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| 1918-1919 | |
| U.S.... | 500,000+ |
| Worldwide... | 40,000,000+ |
| 1957-1958 | |
| U.S.... | 70,000+ |
| Worldwide... | 1-2,000,000 |
| 1968-1969 | |
| U.S.... | 34,000+ |
| Worldwide... | 700,000+ |
A substantial percentage of the world's population will require some form of medical care. Health care facilities can be overwhelmed, creating a shortage of hospital staff, beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may need to be created to cope with demand.
The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply and the supply of antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic. Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Death rates are determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the availability and effectiveness of preventive measures
Wild birds worldwide carry avian influenza viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.
Avian influenza infection in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The "low pathogenic" form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100%, often within 48 hours. The H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic.
"Human influenza virus" usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses originally came from birds. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and other strains might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.
The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. H5N1 is one of the few avian influenza viruses to have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, and it is the most deadly of those that have crossed the barrier.
Most cases of H5N1 influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.
So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been limited and has not continued beyond one person. Nonetheless, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that H5N1 virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another.
In the current outbreaks in Asia, Europe, and Africa, more than half of those infected with the H5N1 virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults. However, it is possible that the only cases currently being reported are those in the most severely ill people, and that the full range of illness caused by the H5N1 virus has not yet been defined.
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection.
Because these viruses do not commonly infect
humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human
population. If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person
to person, a pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. No one can
predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts from around the world are
watching the H5N1 situation very closely and are preparing for the possibility
that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.
There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia, Europe, and Africa. A pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is addressing the problem in a number of ways. These include the development of pre-pandemic vaccines based on current lethal strains of H5N1, collaboration with industry to increase the Nation's vaccine production capacity, and seeking ways to expand or extend the existing supply. We are also doing research in the development of new types of influenza vaccines.
Studies done in laboratories suggest that some of the prescription medicines approved in the United States for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these medicines.
The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Pandemic Influenza
1.
What is an influenza pandemic?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new
influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human
population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily
person-to-person worldwide.
2.
How do pandemic viruses occur?
New influenza viruses emerge as a result of a process called antigenic shift,
which causes a sudden and major change in influenza A viruses. These changes
occur when proteins on the surface of the virus combine in new ways as a result
of mutation or exchange of genetic material between multiple influenza viruses.
If such changes result in a new influenza A virus subtype that can infect humans
and spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic can occur.
3.
Is a pandemic imminent?
Many scientists believe it is a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic
occurs. However, the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be
predicted. Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the past century — in
1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.
4.
Why is there concern about the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Asia and other countries?
Although it is unpredictable when the next pandemic will occur and what strain
may cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a highly pathogenic—and now
endemic—avian H5N1 virus across eastern Asia and other countries represents a
significant threat.
Avian H5N1 influenza infection in humans was first recognized in 1997 when this
virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing 6 deaths. Concern has increased
in recent years as avian H5N1 infections have killed large numbers of poultry
flocks and other birds in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Since 2003, more than 100
human H5N1 cases have been reported in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt,
Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam, and more than half have died.
The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because:
o The H5N1 virus is widespread in poultry in many countries in Asia and has spread to Europe and Africa;
o The virus has been transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans;
o Wild birds and domestic ducks have been infected without showing symptoms and become carriers of viral infection to other domestic poultry species;
o There a few cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported; and
o Genetic studies confirm that H5N1 influenza viruses, like other influenza viruses, are continuing to evolve.
5.
Is influenza A (H5N1) virus the only avian influenza virus of
concern regarding a pandemic?
Although H5N1 probably poses the greatest current pandemic threat, other avian
influenza A subtypes also have infected people in recent years. For example, in
1999, H9N2 infections were identified in Hong Kong; in 2002; and 2003, H7N7
infections occurred in the Netherlands and H7N3 infections occurred in Canada.
These viruses also have the potential to give rise to the next pandemic.
6.
Will H5N1 cause the next influenza pandemic?
Scientists cannot predict whether an avian influenza (H5N1) virus will cause a
pandemic. That is why we are focusing on comprehensive public health efforts —
increasing surveillance monitoring for outbreaks, international cooperation,
antiviral and vaccine stockpiles and building more robust capacity for vaccine
production — that will help protect us no matter what pandemic strain emerges or
where.
7.
Why won't the annual flu vaccine protect people against pandemic
influenza?
Influenza vaccines are designed to protect against a specific virus, so a
pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges
and is identified. Even after a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it
could take at least 6 months to develop, test and produce vaccine.
8.
How much time does it take to develop and produce an influenza
vaccine?
The influenza vaccine production process is long and complicated. Traditional
influenza vaccine production for the U.S. relies on long-standing technology
based on chicken eggs. This production technology is labor-intensive and takes 9
months from start to finish.
The flu vaccine production process is further complicated by the fact that
influenza virus strains continually evolve. Thus, seasonal flu vaccines must be
modified each year to match the strains of the virus that are known to be in
circulation among humans around the world. As a result of this constant viral
evolution, seasonal influenza vaccines cannot be stockpiled year to year.
The appearance of an influenza pandemic virus would likely be unaffected by
currently available flu vaccines. Researchers are making and testing possible
H5N1 vaccines now.
Large amounts of vaccine cannot be made before knowing exactly which virus will
cause the pandemic. It could then take up to 6 months before a vaccine is
available and in only limited amounts at first. Research is underway to make
vaccines more quickly.
9.
How many influenza vaccine manufacturers have production facilities
in the United States?
Currently, Sanofi Pasteur and Medimmune have influenza vaccine production
facilities in the United States, although only Sanofi
Pasteur's entire production process is based in this country.
HHS has made the establishment and expansion of U.S.-based manufacturing
facilities for influenza vaccine a key component of its strategy to improve the
security of the influenza vaccine supply.
10.
How will
vaccine be distributed if a pandemic breaks out?
Most likely, the federal government will work with manufacturers, distributors
and states and the states will develop distribution plans at the local level.
States are developing and improving plans to distribute a vaccine rapidly. These
plans build on experience gained from other emergencies.
In addition, influenza vaccine makers already have systems in place to
distribute vaccine. Tens of millions of doses of seasonal influenza vaccine are
shipped every year, and during past shortages, vaccine makers have responded to
urgent situations.
Fairness in vaccine distribution and use during a pandemic is important.
Protecting people at high risk and protecting essential day-to-day services are
also important considerations.
11.
What age
groups are most likely to be affected during an influenza pandemic?
Although scientists cannot predict the specific consequences of an influenza
pandemic, it is likely that many age groups would be seriously affected. Factors
to consider include the following:
o Few if any people would have immunity to the virus
o The virus could spread rapidly.
o An influenza pandemic could temporarily disrupt activities important to overall public health, the economy, and essential community services.
12.
What is the
difference between a vaccine and an antiviral?
Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure. Currently available viral
vaccines are usually made from either killed virus or weakened versions of the
live virus or pieces of the virus that stimulate an immune response to the
virus. When immunized, the body is then poised to fight or prevent infection
more effectively.
Antivirals are drugs that may be given to help prevent viral infections or to
treat people who have been infected by a virus. When given to treat people who
have been infected, antiviral medications may help limit the impact of some
symptoms and reduce the potential for serious complications, especially for
people who are in high risk groups.
13.
How would
antivirals be used?
Antivirals may help prevent infection in people at risk and lessen the impact of
symptoms in those infected with influenza. It is unlikely that they would
substantially modify the course or effectively contain the spread of an
influenza pandemic.
A number of antiviral medications (antivirals) are approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration to treat and sometimes prevent flu. At this time, Tamiflu®
and Relenza® are the most likely antivirals to be used in a pandemic. There are
efforts to find new drugs and to increase the supply of antivirals. If everyone
follows the recommended uses of antivirals there will be more available for
those who need it most.
14.
What other
strategies will help protect Americans?
In the event of a pandemic, certain public health measures may be important to
help contain or limit the spread of infection as effectively as possible. The
following actions could include:
o Treating sick and exposed people with antivirals,
o Isolating sick people in hospitals, homes, or other facilities,
o Identifying and quarantining exposed people,
o Closing schools and workplaces as needed,
o Canceling public events, and
o Restricting travel.
In addition, people should protect themselves by:
o Getting seasonal flu shots,
o Washing hands frequently with soap and water,
o Staying away from people who are sick, and
o Staying home if sick.
15.
How many
people would die in a pandemic?
The consequences of an influenza pandemic are difficult to predict. Pandemics
occurred three times in the past century. The most recent (1968) was the mildest
and killed about 34,000 people in the United States. The most severe influenza
pandemic in the past century occurred in1918 and killed about 500,000 Americans
and up to 40 million people worldwide.
16.
Could
terrorists spread the avian influenza viruses to create a worldwide pandemic?
Experts believe it highly unlikely that a pandemic influenza virus could be
created by terrorists. Developing a pandemic influenza virus would require
extraordinary scientific skill as well as sophisticated scientific equipment and
other resources.
17.
What is the
Government doing now to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak?
Federal, State, and local health agencies are making plans to prepare for,
respond to, and contain an outbreak of pandemic flu. HHS activities to prepare
for a pandemic flu include:
o Supporting Federal, State, and local health agencies' efforts to prepare for and respond to a pandemic flu outbreak;
o Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other nations to help detect and contain outbreaks;
o Developing a national stockpile of antiviral drugs to help treat and control the spread of disease;
o Supporting the manufacture and testing of possible vaccines, including finding more reliable and quicker ways to make large quantities of vaccines; and
o Working with other Federal agencies to prepare and to encourage communities, businesses, and organizations to plan for a pandemic influenza outbreak.
18.
How many
state and local governments are prepared for a pandemic outbreak?
Funding from CDC's Public Health Preparedness Cooperative Agreements has allowed
state and local health agencies to enhance the capacity of their public health
systems to respond to public health threats, including pandemic influenza.
All states have emergency plans for responding to an influenza pandemic. All
states have reviewed their public health legal authorities pertaining to
isolation and quarantine. States are in various phases of updating regulations
and legislation after reviewing their current authorities. CDC's Public Health
Law program is cataloging all state quarantine authorities.
As part of planning for smallpox, all states have developed plans for mass
immunization. In the past 12 months, all states conducted exercises to test
components of their smallpox plans and 46 conducted exercises related to
components of their pandemic influenza plan. Exercises such as these allow
states and communities to identify weaknesses and take corrective action.
19.
How would
pandemic flu affect communities and businesses?
If an influenza pandemic occurs, many people could become sick at the same time
and would be unable to go to work. Many would stay at home to care for sick
family members. Schools and businesses might close to try to prevent disease
spread. Large group gatherings might be canceled. Public transportation might be
scarce. These are examples of challenges that local communities, schools, civic
organizations, and businesses will have to work together on to plan for a
pandemic response.
What can we do
now?
Pandemic planning requires that people and entities not accustomed to responding to health crises understand the actions and priorities required to prepare for and respond to these potential risks. Information is provided on these pages to help every sector of society, from federal, state and local government to individuals and families, participate in our national planning efforts.
The following check list should be freely distributed to any person or group that request information
City of Selma priority of needs
· Establish a committee do deal with information and future planning
· Identify and establish an EOC
· Work with state and Federal agency on planning
· Train all city employees on awareness and prevention
· Maintain information updates on health issues
· Establish PIO
The following checklist will serve as a guide to help the public and businesses prepare. In order understand we need to make some assumption with regards to planning. In simple terms we must plan for worst and educate for the best outcome.
Planning Assumptions
· Susceptibility to the pandemic influenza virus will be universal.
· Efficient and sustained person-to-person transmission signals an imminent pandemic.
· The clinical disease attack rate will likely be 30% or higher in the overall population during the pandemic. Illness rates will be highest among school-aged children (about 40%) and decline with age. Among working adults, an average of 20% will become ill during a community outbreak.
· Some persons will become infected but not develop clinically significant symptoms. Asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic individuals can transmit infection and develop immunity to subsequent infection.
· Of those who become ill with influenza, 50% will seek outpatient medical care.
· With the availability of effective antiviral drugs for treatment, this proportion may be higher in the next pandemic.
· The number of hospitalizations and deaths will depend on the virulence of the pandemic virus. Estimates differ about 10-fold between more and less severe scenarios. Two scenarios are presented based on extrapolation of past pandemic experience (Table 1). Planning should include the more severe scenario.
· Risk groups for severe and fatal infection cannot be predicted with certainty but are likely to include infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions.
· Rates of absenteeism will depend on the severity of the pandemic.
· In a severe pandemic, absenteeism attributable to illness, the need to care for ill family members, and fear of infection may reach 40% during the peak weeks of a community outbreak, with lower rates of absenteeism during the weeks before and after the peak.
· Certain public health measures (closing schools, quarantining household contacts of infected individuals, “snow days”) are likely to increase rates of absenteeism.
· The typical incubation period (interval between infection and onset of symptoms) for influenza is approximately 2 days.
· Persons who become ill may shed virus and can transmit infection for up to one day before the onset of illness. Viral shedding and the risk of transmission will be greatest during the first 2 days of illness. Children usually shed the greatest amount of virus and therefore are likely to post the greatest risk for transmission.
· On average, infected persons will transmit infection to approximately two other people.
· In an affected community, a pandemic outbreak will last about 6 to 8 weeks.
· Multiple waves (periods during which community outbreaks occur across the country) of illness could occur with each wave lasting 2-3 months. Historically, the largest waves have occurred in the fall and winter, but the seasonality of a pandemic cannot be predicted with certainty.
Table 1. Number of Episodes of Illness, Healthcare Utilization, and Death Associated with Moderate and Severe Pandemic Influenza Scenarios*
|
Characteristic |
Moderate (1958/68-like) |
Severe (1918-like) |
| Illness | 90 million (30%) | 90 million (30%) |
| Outpatient medical care | 45 million (50%) | 45 million (50%) |
| Hospitalization | 865,000 | 9,900,000 |
| ICU care | 128,750 | 1,485,000 |
| Mechanical ventilation | 64,875 | 745,500 |
| Deaths | 209,000 | 1,903,000 |
*Estimates based on extrapolation from past pandemics in the United States. Note that these estimates do not include the potential impact of interventions not available during the 20th century pandemics.
City of Selma Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Community Preparedness Leadership and Networking [Preparedness Goal 1-Increase the use and development of interventions known to prevent human illness from chemical, biological, radiological agents, and naturally occurring health threats.]
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· Establish a Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee that represents all relevant stakeholders in the jurisdiction (including governmental, public health, healthcare, emergency response, agriculture, education, business, communication, community based, and faith-based sectors, as well as private citizens) and that is accountable for articulating strategic priorities and overseeing the development and execution of the jurisdiction's operational pandemic plan. |
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· Delineate accountability and responsibility, capabilities, and resources for key stakeholders engaged in planning and executing specific components of the operational plan. Assure that the plan includes timelines, deliverables, and performance measures. |
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· Within every state, clarify which activities will be performed at a state, local, or coordinated level, and indicate what role the state will have in providing guidance and assistance. |
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· Assure that the operational plan for pandemic influenza response is an integral element of the overall state and local emergency response plan established under Federal Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF8): Health and medical service and compliant with National Incident Management System. |
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· Address integration of state, local, tribal, territorial, and regional plans across jurisdictional boundaries in the plan. |
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· Formalize agreements with neighboring jurisdictions and address communication, mutual aid, and other cross-jurisdictional needs. |
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· Ensure existence of a demographic profile of the community (including special needs populations and language minorities) and ensure that the needs of these populations are addressed in the operation plan. |
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· Address provision of psychosocial support services for the community, including patients and their families, and those affected by community containment procedures in the plan (see Supplement 11). |
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· Test the communication operational plan that addresses the needs of targeted public, private sector, governmental, public health, medical, and emergency response audiences; identifies priority channels of communication; delineates the network of communication personnel, including lead spokespersons and persons trained in emergency risk communication; and links to other communication networks (see Supplement 10). |
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· Identify for all stakeholders the legal authorities responsible for executing the operational plan, especially those authorities responsible for case identification, isolation, quarantine, movement restriction, healthcare services, emergency care, and mutual aid. |
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· Make clear to all stakeholders the process for requesting, coordinating, and approving requests for resources to state and federal agencies. |
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· Create an Incident Command System for the pandemic plan based on the National Incident Management System and exercise this system along with other operational elements of the plan. |
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· Assist in establishing and promoting community-based task forces that support healthcare institutions on a local or regional basis. |
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· Identify the authority responsible for declaring a public health emergency at the state and local levels and for officially activating the pandemic influenza response plan. |
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· Identify the state and local law enforcement personnel who will maintain public order and help implement control measures. Determine in advance what will constitute a “law enforcement” emergency and educate law enforcement officials so that they can pre-plan for their families and sustain themselves during the emergency. |
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· Ensure that the plans are scalable, to the magnitude and severity of the pandemic and available resources. Revise as necessary. |
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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.
1. To plan for a pandemic:
o 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.
o Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
o 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.
o Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
o Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.
2. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:
o Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
o Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
o Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.
3. Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
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Examples of food and non-perishables |
Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies |
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o Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups |
o Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment |
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o Protein or fruit bars |
o Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash |
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o Dry cereal or granola |
o Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen |
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o Peanut butter or nuts |
o Thermometer |
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o Dried fruit |
o Anti-diarrheal medication |
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o Crackers |
o Vitamins |
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o Canned juices |
o Fluids with electrolytes |
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o Bottled water |
o Cleansing agent/soap |
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o Canned or jarred baby food and formula |
o Flashlight |
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o Pet food |
o Batteries |
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o Portable radio |
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o Manual can opener |
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o Garbage bags |
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o Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers |
It is important to think about health issues that could arise if an influenza pandemic occurs, and how they could affect you and your loved ones. For example, if a mass vaccination clinic is set up in your community, you may need to provide as much information as you can about your medical history when you go, especially if you have a serious health condition or allergy.
Create a family emergency health plan using this information. Fill in information for each family member in the space provided. Like much of the planning for a pandemic, this can also help prepare for other emergencies.
Family Member Information:
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Family Member |
Blood Type |
Allergies |
Past/ Current Medical Conditions |
Current Medications/ Dosages |
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