Ready or Not:Ready or Not:Preparing for Preparing for Pandemic FluPandemic Flu

A flu pandemic A flu pandemic will happen – will happen –

we can’t predict we can’t predict when or wherewhen or where

ObjectivesObjectives

• Understand what avian flu and pandemic flu are

• Describe three things you can do at home to prepare and/or protect yourself and your family

• Describe three things you can do at work to protect yourself and others

• Identify where to get accurate information about pandemic flu

DefinitionsDefinitions

• Seasonal Influenza

• Avian Influenza

• Pandemic Influenza

Seasonal InfluenzaSeasonal Influenza

• Caused by a virus• Infects humans• Usually occurs during the winter• Easily spreads from person to person• Vaccine is available

•Incubation period is usually 1-3 days

•Symptoms

-Fever (often sudden), chills, headache, muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, weakness, runny nose, may last three to five days or more

-People can shed the virus without showing symptoms of infection

Seasonal InfluenzaSeasonal Influenza

• The virus can be spread:

-Cough/Sneeze

• Most important (within 3 feet)

-Contact

• Contaminated articles

Seasonal InfluenzaSeasonal Influenza

Droplet

Contact

The Burden of Seasonal InfluenzaThe Burden of Seasonal Influenza

• 250,000 to 500,000 deaths globally/yr

• 36,000 deaths and > 200,000 hospitalizations/yr in U.S.

• $37.5 billion in economic costs/yr in U.S. related to influenza and pneumonia

Influenza and Other SpeciesInfluenza and Other Species

Influenza viruses can infect a number of different species, including humans

Other species include:– Birds (Avian)– Pigs– Horses– Seals– Whales

Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”)Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”)

• Readily infectious between birds

• Only rarely infects humans

How do humans get the bird “bird flu”?

Through close direct contact with poultry

Not easily passed from bird to human

How a new human influenza virus is How a new human influenza virus is createdcreated

Situation Report: Situation Report: H5N1 Avian Flu in HumansH5N1 Avian Flu in Humans

Human infections associated with close direct contact with infected poultry

High mortality (above 50%)

Does not transmit from human to human efficiently so far

What is a pandemic?What is a pandemic?

• Outbreak is higher than usual number of cases occurring locally

• Pandemic is a worldwide outbreak

H1

H3H2

1918SpanishFlu H1N1

1957Asian

Flu H2N2

1968Hong KongFlu H3N2

1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005

Flu Pandemics in the 20th Century

Requirements for a pandemic

•A new virus must emerge (people have not been exposed to it before)

•Infection usually causes serious disease

•The virus must spread as easily as seasonal influenza—by coughing and sneezing

Interpandemic Pandemic Alert Pandemic

Phase 1No new virus in humans

Animal viruses low risk to humans 

Phase 2No new virus in humans

Animal viruses high risk to humans 

Phase 3New virus in humans

Little/no spread among humans

Phase 4Small clusters, localized

Limited spread among humans  

Phase 5Larger clusters, localized

Limited spread among humans

Phase 6Increased and sustained spread in general human population

Current Level

Current Pandemic Status

Planning AssumptionsPlanning Assumptions

• Time from infection to symptoms:– 1-4 days (average 2 days)

• Infectiousness:– Greatest during the first 2 days of illness

may be infectious 1 day BEFORE symptoms

– Infectious for about 5 or more days, children will shed the most virus

– On average, each person will transmit influenza to two others

Planning AssumptionsPlanning Assumptions

• In an affected community an outbreak may last 6-8 weeks

• Absenteeism may be as high as 40% in a severe pandemic

• High rates of illness may occur among school aged children

Things to think about during a Things to think about during a pandemic:pandemic:

• Need to create as safe a work place as possible• Need healthy workers on the job to keep

community functioning• Need workers to remain home when ill• Healthcare may look different during a pandemic

Health Protection Preparedness Health Protection Preparedness SystemSystem

Local-state-federal Domestic-international Multisector integration Public-private Non-partisan Animal-human Health protection-

homeland security-economic protection

HealthcareDeliverySystem

Federal Partners

Education System

Business & Workers

Local /State /Federal Public

HealthSystem

It Takes a NETWORK!

National ResponseNational Response

• Development of a national response plan and checklists to help local communities plan

• Investment of resources into vaccine development and medication reserves

• Control of disease coming from outside the U.S. through isolation/quarantine

Local ResponseLocal Response

Quarantine:

Well personsexposed to an Illness are kept separate from others to reduce disease spread

Isolation:

Ill persons are

kept separate from

others to reduce

disease spread

with the illness

Community Control of Pandemic Community Control of Pandemic InfluenzaInfluenza

• Isolation of the ill• Management of patient contacts • Quarantine of small groups • Cancellation of specific events• Closure of specific facilities• Snow days and self-shielding• Closure of facilities and transportation• Widespread community quarantine

less

Rest ri ct ive

more

As an individual what can you do to As an individual what can you do to protect yourself and your family?protect yourself and your family?

Individual ActivitiesIndividual Activities

• Social Distancing

• Annual flu vaccine

• Hand hygiene

• Respiratory etiquette “Cover your cough”

Social DistancingSocial Distancing

• Three feet from other people

• Limit face-to-face contact

Prepare for an extended stay at Prepare for an extended stay at home:home:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups

Protein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granola Peanut butter or nuts Dried fruit Crackers Canned juices Bottled water Canned or jarred baby food and formula Pet food

Examples of medical, health, and Examples of medical, health, and emergency suppliesemergency supplies

Prescribed medical supplies

Soap and water Medicines for fever

Thermometer

alcohol-based hand wash

Batteries

Portable radio

Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers

Fluids with electrolytesGarbage

bags

Hygiene: Wash Your HandsHygiene: Wash Your Hands

• Before, during, and after you prepare food • Before you eat, and after you use the

bathroom • After handling animals or animal waste • When your hands are dirty, and • More frequently when someone in your

home is sick• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Wash Your HandsWash Your Hands

Use soap and warm

running water for

At least 20 seconds

OR

Use an alcohol based

hand sanitizer for at

least 15 seconds.

If you become ill…If you become ill…

Sneezes and Coughs are Sneezes and Coughs are powerful germ explosionspowerful germ explosions

Cover Your Coughs and SneezesCover Your Coughs and Sneezes

Use a tissue or inside of your elbow when sneezing or coughing.

Stay home when you are sickStay home when you are sick

• Stay home if you have…A fever of 101 degrees

If needed seek medical care

More information is availableMore information is available

ResourcesResources• National Planning: www.pandemicflu.gov

• Bird and Animal Issues: www.usda.gov

• State Planning: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/flu/influenza.shtml

• Marion County Communicable Disease Info (503) 588-5621

““Pandemics are global in nature, but their Pandemics are global in nature, but their impact is local. When the next pandemic impact is local. When the next pandemic strikes, as it surely will, it is likely to touch strikes, as it surely will, it is likely to touch the lives of every individual, family, and the lives of every individual, family, and community. Our task is to make sure community. Our task is to make sure that when this happens, we will be a that when this happens, we will be a

Nation prepared.”Nation prepared.”-Mike Leavitt,

Secretary

US Department of Health and Human Services