Pandemic Influenza

Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic

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Agenda

• Pandemic influenza overview

• Historical look at pandemic influenza

• What would a future pandemic look like?

• Individual, family, and community

• Emergency preparedness

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Influenza Overview

• Influenza (flu)–a contagious respiratory illness, caused by a virus

• Spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching items that are contaminated withthe virus (doorknobs, keyboards, etc.)

• Infectious 1-2 days before showing symptoms and during their entire illness

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Seasonal Influenza

Every year in the U.S. seasonal flu:• Results in the death of 36,000 people

• Causes of 200,000 hospitalizations

• Costs the U.S. $10 billion

• Most previously healthy people recover from the seasonal flu in 1-2 weeks without serious medical intervention

There is a vaccine for seasonal flu–

Get your flu shot every year!5

The world may be on the brink of another pandemic. -World Health Organization 2005

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Pandemic Influenza

A pandemic is an outbreak of disease that

spreads rapidly, and affects many people

worldwide.

Many health officials believe that it is

not a matter of if there is another influenza

pandemic, but when.

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Conditions of a Pandemic

• New virus to humans

• Causes serious illness

• Easily transmissible human to human

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Six Stages of a Pandemic

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Pandemic of 1918-1919

• At least 40 million deaths worldwide

• Half of those dying were in their 20s and 30s, representing as many as 8 to 10% of all young adults

• More people died of influenza in a year than the Black Death in the Middle Ages killed in a century

• More died in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years

Photo courtesy of the National Archives

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Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Health & Medicine11

Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Health & Medicine12

Photo courtesy of the National Archives13

Photo courtesy of the National Archives14

Other 20th Century Influenza Pandemics

Asian Influenza of 1957, with an estimated

2 million deaths worldwide, including 70,000

in the U.S.

Hong Kong Influenza of 1968, with an

estimated 1 million deaths worldwide,

including 34,000 in the U.S.

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What could Pandemic Influenza look like in my community?

• Long periods of disease, in waves

• Could last weeks to months

• Disruption of daily life

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Health Implications

• Inadequate medical supplies

• Overwhelmed hospitals and clinics

• Significant numbers of illness and death will occur

• Significant portion of the population would have no one to take care of them

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Projections for U.S. During a Pandemic

Characteristics Moderate (1968 like) Severe (1918 like)

U.S. Indiana U.S. Indiana

Illness 90 Million 1,860,000 90 Million 1,860,000

Outpatient medical care 45 Million 930,000 45 Million 930,000

Hospitalization 865,000 17,856 9,900,000 204,600

Ventilation 64,875 1,339 742,500 15,345

Deaths 209,000 4,278 1,903,000 39,246

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Economic Implications

• Over 30% of workforce out at any given time due to personal or family illness

• Collapse of goods and materials supply chains

• Possible store closings

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In a pandemic the best way to ensure the safety of your family and your community is to prepare.

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The most important preparation you can make is to believe that preparations are necessary!

• Disasters do happen where you live and work.• A disaster will impact you and your family.• There is significantly less impact if you are prepared.

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• Preparation is a continuous, cumulative process.

• Take small steps–frequently!

• Take practical, specific actions.

• Plan for “all hazards.”

• Consider “cascading effects” such as power outages and transportation disruption.

Plan

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• Each of us has personal responsibility to prepare.

• Make a family communication plan and begin gathering emergency supplies.

• Start talking about pandemic planning in your community.

Prepare

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Family Communication Plan

• Work/school/cell numbers, addresses, & e-mail

• Meeting places if separated–local & distant

• Out of state “call in” contact

• Personal information on all family members

• Rules for re-assembly and contact

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Emergency Supplies Keep your supplies in a large plastic tote container with inventory list taped inside the cover. List dates of rotation/expiration.

• Communications plan• Cash/traveler’s checks• Legal/financial papers• Water & food• Maps of the area• Battery or crank radio

• Spare batteries• ID & credentials• Medications• Medical thermometer• Hygiene items• First aid kit• Flashlights

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Special Populations

• Infants: formula, bottles, baby food, diapers & wipes, medications

• Adults: list of medications, dosages, caregiver contact information, dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aid needs, contact lens supplies

• Seniors: brief medical history, make and model information on all lifts, chairs, oxygen & other equipment – ensure a robust support network– evacuation and transportation needs

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• Do not leave pets behind or outside.

• Identify alternate pet care if you become ill.

• Know that pets react differently to stress–watch them closely.

Pets: Include them in your emergency kit (food, water, vet records, medications, special toys, & supplies)

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• Create an emergency financial first aid kit.

• Include important legal documents and records (birth certificates, titles, insurance).

• Update whenever changes occur.

• Keep copy in safe deposit box.

Personal Documents

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Most importantly: Make your preparations work for you!

More information/checklists

www.statehealth.in.gov

www.cdc.gov

www.pandemicflu.gov

www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm

www.who.int/

www.travel.state.gov

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Influenza Prevention Practices

Practice healthy hygiene• Cover your cough or sneeze with your

sleeve or tissue.• Wash your hands often with soap and

water for 20 seconds.

Social distancing• Stay away from work if you are sick.• Stay an “arm’s length” away from others.• Talk to your employer about workplace plans.

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• Know your neighbors.

• Reach out to neighbors with disabilities.

• Take a CPR or First Aid class.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Talk about emergency preparedness in your community, and how to keep ALL members safe.

Community Preparation

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If you are prepared, you will be more ready for pandemic influenza or any emergency.

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