Pandemics are “low probability, high impact” events. They are random, with a few occurring every century. It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. Wherever and whenever a pandemic starts, everyone around the world is at risk.
In the event of a pandemic influenza; everyone in the community is a stakeholder. To help the communities to be prepared for pandemic influenza and other public health emergencies. Please refer to the links for resource documents. Feel free to use them to prepare yourself, your family, your home, your workplace and your community.
Developing good health habits are an important way to help prevent the spread of the Flu!
Get your flu shot
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall.
Cover your mouth and nose
Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing.
It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands
Washing your hands often with soap and water will help protect you from
germs. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers in your purse, car and backpack
for times when soap and water is not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated
therefore, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are already sick
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you get sick, keep
your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If you get sick, stay home
When you get sick, stay home from work and school, if possible. You will
help prevent others from catching your illness.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Exercise regularly, get enough sleep and eat healthy, balanced meals.
If you feel sick, call your doctor
If you start feeling sick, call your doctor. Early treatment may help you get
better soon.
Be Ready...Be Prepared
Recent discussions and media reports about Avian influenza (bird flu) have increased public
interest and concern about what would happen should a pandemic influenza hits. Here are several suggestions for citizens to prepare for pandemic influenza and other public health emergencies.
So what can the public do now to make sure they are ready? First, everyone should follow good health habits to prevent the spread of the flu and other diseases and teach these habits to their children. The following are simple, yet effective methods, that we need to make routine: avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay home or avoid close contact with others when you are sick; cover your mouth and nose or cough into bend of your arm; wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Second, everyone take personal responsibility by developing a preparedness plan for your homes and workplace. In some emergencies, such as pandemic influenza, the public may be asked to shelter-at-home. To shelter-at-home, there are a few basic items each household needs to stock: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding, tools, emergency supplies, and special items. A two week supply of each item for every person in your home is recommended.
Things you need shelter-at-home
Water
2½ gallons of water per person per day
Food
Purchase food that require no refrigeration and little preparation, such as:
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Ready-to-eat canned food
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Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
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Snacks: cookies, cereals, etc
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Soft drinks, instant coffee, tea
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Lots of ice (you can freeze your water supply)
For Baby
Formula, bottles, powdered milk, jarred baby foods
Diapers, baby wipes & special medications
Medicine
Rubbing alcohol, non-aspirin pain reliever, antacids
Extra prescription medication (especially for heart problems & diabetes)
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
First Aid Kit, inspect it regularly and keep it freshly stocked. Items to include:
band-aids, instant cold packs for sprains, clean sheets torn, sanitary napkins, elastic bandages, pocket knife, rolled gauze, splinting material, adhesive tape roll, Hydrogen peroxide to wash and disinfect wounds, first aid book, cotton-tipped swabs, writing materials, antibiotic ointment, scissors, tweezers, alcohol swabs, thermometer, aspirin and non-aspirin tablets, tissues, sunscreen, paper cups, plastic bags, safety pins, needle and thread, prescriptions and long-term medications, diarrhea medicine, eye drops
Pets
Newspapers or cat litter
Moist canned foods (to preserve water)
Personal Items
Toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo,
hand sanitizer (bottle for each family member)
Personal and feminine hygiene products,
Disposable wipes
Denture needs
contact lenses and an extra pair of eyeglasses
Medical Masks
A manual can opener
Wind-up or battery-operated clock
Battery-operated radio
Cleaning supplies such as chlorine bleach
Aluminum foil, paper napkins, plates and plastic cups
Pillows and blankets or sleeping bags
A corded telephone
tion
Things you need in Emergency Evacuation
In Case of Emergency Evacuation, it is recommended that each household
have a Go Kit ready. Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members.
The Go Kit should be an easy-to-carry, waterproof and fireproof container that includes
items that you would need during an evacuation or emergency. Suggested items to include:
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Copies of important family records (birth, marriage, and death certificates, social security cards, immunization records, school records, divorce papers and custody agreements) and important documents (wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks, bonds, and passports);
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A list of all credit cards, bank account numbers, retirement accounts and college saving plans, along with the bank’s or credit union's name and toll-free phone numbers;
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An inventory of valuable household goods with pictures of the items;
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Telephone numbers of family members and friends (include out-of-town contacts);
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Family pictures wrapped in protective plastic;
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Important telephone numbers for medical centers, doctors, pharmacists, electric, gas, water and telephone companies;
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Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your insurance agents, including policy types and numbers;
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Names and telephone numbers of neighbors;
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Name and telephone number of your landlord, property manager or mortgage lender;
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Important medical information for each person, including babies and children (for example, allergies, regular medications, and brief medical history); and Year, model, license, and vehicle identification numbers of your vehicles (automobiles, boats, motorcycles and RVs).
Other items to have for an emergency situation such as evacuation:
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Battery-operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, candles, matches or lighter;
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A supply of bottled water, ready-to-eat canned food, canned juices, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding, tools, emergency supplies, and special items, such as hand-operated can opener, formula, diapers and baby wipes;
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Don’t forget prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs;
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Portable, battery-operated radio and a list of radio and television broadcast stations for emergency broadcast information; and
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Medical masks, personal and feminine hygiene products and disposable wipes.
In case you have to evacuate, plan ahead and know where you're going in advance and share this information with family and friends. Identify a mutual meeting lace for family members to go in the event someone becomes lost or separated. Remember to clearly communicate your plans and to leave early to ensure the family can travel together in an organized manner. If you have small children who do not have a photo ID, consider using a waterproof marker to write the child's name, parent's address, phone number (consider cell number) and the number of next of kin not in the area on the child's feet or back. Also, include if the child has a medical condition or needs medication. Should you become separated, this will assist with reconnecting the family.
