Public Health & PreparednessPublic Health & Preparedness

Pueblo City-County Health Department

                                                                        

                                                                        

Time to Prepare is NOW!Time to Prepare is NOW!

                                                                        

                                                                        

Pandemic InfluenzaPandemic Influenza

                                                                        

                                                                        

Influenza Pandemics DeadlyInfluenza Pandemics Deadly

• Spanish Flu – 1918/1919 – Estimated 50 - 100 million deaths worldwide– Estimated 500,000 deaths in US

• Asian Flu – 1957 – Estimated 4 million deaths worldwide

• Hong Kong Flu – 1968– Estimated 4 million deaths

worldwide

40 Year Cycle

                                                                        

                                                                        

What is Pandemic Influenza?What is Pandemic Influenza?

A flu pandemic happens when:• a new flu virus appears that easily

spreads from person-to-person;

• and occurs around the world.

                                                                        

                                                                        

Avian Flu (H5N1)Avian Flu (H5N1)The next pandemic?

                                                                        

                                                                        

Avian Flu (H5N1)* Avian Flu (H5N1)* Human Case CountHuman Case Count

(12/03/2003 – 5/29/2006)

Cases

Deaths

10 Countries Affected

224

127

*No cases in North America to date

                                                                        

                                                                        

Viruses Mutate Viruses Mutate Cause for ConcernCause for Concern

HumanHumanvirusvirus

ReassortantReassortantvirusvirus

NonNon--humanhumanvirusvirus

Sharing of genetic Sharing of genetic information information

DirectDirect

HumanHumanvirusvirus

ReassortantReassortantvirusvirus

NonNon--humanhumanvirusvirus

Sharing of genetic Sharing of genetic information information

DirectDirect

                                                                        

                                                                        

Modes of Transmission VaryModes of Transmission Vary

• Direct contact (Mono, Ringworm)

• Droplet contact (Influenza, SARS)

• Airborne (TB)

• Vehicle borne (Norovirus, Giardia)

• Vector borne (West Nile)

                                                                        

                                                                        

Individual PrecautionsIndividual Precautions

• Wash your hands frequently • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth • Distance yourself from someone coughing• Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing • Stay home when you are sick• Home preparedness

                                                                        

                                                                        

Population-Based PrecautionsPopulation-Based Precautions

• Vaccination programs if possible• Communication and Education• Isolate patients• Quarantine individuals exposed• Widespread cancellations

– Social Distancing

                                                                        

                                                                        

New Term For ControlNew Term For Control

Social Distancing

Decrease the opportunities for transmission when current illness or previous exposure is unknown

• School closures• Event cancellations• Avoid crowds and gatherings

                                                                        

                                                                        

Another Y2K?Another Y2K?

                                                                        

                                                                        

Preparedness PlanningPreparedness Planning

• Local/State public health

• Individuals/Families

• Business/Industry

• Schools

• Healthcare

• Community

• Faith-based www.pandemicflu.gov

                                                                        

                                                                        

Take the Time…Take the Time…

• Stay informed – watch, read, listen• Learn First Aid & CPR• Get prepared!

– Stockpile Water and Food– Prepare a First Aid Kit– Plan for Medications– Create Family Emergency Plan

                                                                        

                                                                        

What You Can Do!What You Can Do!

• Prepare your home and family

• Develop an Emergency Plan

• Educate your friends, family, neighbors

• Learn First Aid & CPR

• Volunteer – Medical Reserve Corps!

                                                                        

                                                                        

Medical Reserve CorpsMedical Reserve Corps

• Founded in 2002 after President Bush’s State of the Union Address

• Medical and Non-medical Volunteers Needed

• Year-round Volunteer Opportunities

                                                                        

                                                                        

Contact InformationContact Information

Pueblo City-County Health Department

(719) 583-4300

www.pueblohealthdept.org