Pandemic Flu

 What does "pandemic flu" mean?  Pandemic is defined by Webster's dictionary as, "occuring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population."  The outbreak would be global. The flu is short for influenza. Influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by various strains of virus. The disease is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, prostration, severe aches and pains, and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes.

Pandemic flu -  A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in very short time.


  Information For Individuals & Families

You should prepair for a pandemic flu outbreak now.  Knowing what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to protect yourself and your family and lesson the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family is vital.  Planning for a pandemic outbreak, various methods to prevent the spread of germs and prevent infection, items to have on hand for an extended stay at home, and much more are covered at the web-sites below.  The information is presented in variety of languages.

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families [PDF - 121KB]


(Amharic

  Arabic

  Chinese

 Farsi

  Oromo

  Russian

Somali

Español Spanish

 Vietnamese

Family Emergency Health Information Sheet [PDF - 122KB]

 Schools

Local educational agencies play an integral role in protecting the health and safety of their district's staff, students and their families. Building a strong relationship with the local health department is critical for developing a meaningful plan. Integral components of an effective plan would include:

Planning and Coordination
Continuity of Student Learning and Core Operations
Infection Control Policies and Procedures
Communications Planning

  • Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF - 155KB)]
  • School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF - 151KB]
  • Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF - 170KB)]

     Health Care: Hospitals/Clinics/EMS

    Planning for pandemic influenza is critical for ensuring a sustainable healthcare response. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklist to help medical offices and clinics and emergency medical services and transports.

  • Hospital Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist[PDF]

    •  Community Organizations

    The collaboration of Faith-Based and Community Organizations with public health agencies will be essential in protecting the public's health and safety if and when an influenza pandemic occurs.

  • Faith-Based and Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist[PDF- 69KB] [En Español (PDF) (268KB)]
  • Structure for planning and decision making [PDF]
  • Development of a written pandemic influenza plan [PDF]
  • Elements of an influenza pandemic plan[PDF]

  • Medical Offices and Clinics Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF]

    •  Health Care: Home Care/Long-Term Care/Residential Care

    Home health agencies will likely be called upon to provide care for patients who do not require hospitalization for pandemic influenza, or for whom hospitalization is not an option because hospitals have reached their capacity to admit patients. Is your facility prepared?

  • Home Health Care Services Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [En Español (PDF)]
  • Emergency Medical Service and Medical Transport Checklist [PDF]

  • Long-Term Care and Other Residential Facilities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist[PDF]

  • Checklists are available which are intended to aid you in preparation for a pandemic flu outbreak.  The checklists have been prepared in a coordinated and consistent manner for all segments of society.  Also available is information concerning the reduction of risk factors (your exposure to the virus) in private homes, businesses, schools, social settings, and industry.

  • To obtain additional information concerning pandemic flu, please click this banner.

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