Pandemic influenza refers to a very severe strain of influenza that has the ability to spread across the
world. The word, "pandemic", means that a disease has caused illness in a person on nearly every
continent. Many other diseases throughout the history of the world have been pandemic. An
example is HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is currently pandemic since it has become widespread throughout
the world. Influenza occurs at different times throughout the world. Influenza season strikes in the
U.S. in the fall and winter months likely because people stay inside often and are in close contact
with others who may be ill.
Key Points about preparing for any crisis:
• Prepare yourself mentally so that you don't panic.
• Make a plan for yourself, your family and even your pets.
• Know how your employer plans to deal with a pandemic. Are you set up to work at home?
• Stock up on essential food, personal items and medical supplies, including prescription drugs. Pack
some supplies in case you need to relocate.
• Have a record of key personal medical information and emergency contacts for every person in your family.
• To help lower your risk of getting sick, wash your hands often and avoid crowded areas.
• Plan ahead for how you'd care for someone who has bird flu or another medical problem, in the event medical
facilities are unavailable.
• Stay informed of the latest developments and listen to authorities for instructions.
How can I protect my family?
The best defense against pandemic influenza is education. Look for information from your local and
state health department. Practice basic illness prevention measures now, because those measures
will also protect you during a pandemic of influenza. The following are a few illness prevention basics:
· Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap and scrubbing for at least 15 seconds.
· Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and to use disposable tissues.
· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled.
· Get the influenza vaccine every year to significantly lower your chances of getting pneumonia
due to influenza.
· People over the age of 65 and others with underlying illness should also receive the
pneumococcal vaccine to lower their chances of getting a bacterial pneumonia and / or along
with influenza.
· If you are ill, stay home and call your doctor.
How often do influenza pandemics occur?
Pandemics of influenza have occurred three times about every 100 years. From 1900-2000, there were
three influenza pandemics, all about 30 years apart.
How are flu and pandemic flu different?
Influenza (flu) happens every year in nearly every country in the world. It spreads through a population for
a few months and then will disappear or will move onto another country. Influenza usually occurs in the fall
and winter months. Also, people who usually become ill with influenza are the elderly, the very young and
people with chronic medical conditions.
Pandemic influenza could strike at any time in the year. The strain will be one never seen before and there
will not likely be a vaccine immediately available. It will spread quicker and easier from person to person
compared to non-pandemic influenza. Pandemic influenza may cause illness in any person, and in the past
has caused illness in more healthy, middle-aged people than those who usually become ill with influenza.
It will probably circulate several times around the world, or in "waves". Overall, pandemic influenza will
cause more disease and death than seasonal influenza.
Avian influenza is currently making many different types of birds in Asia sick. There are several different
types of avian influenza and most types are found in birds. Avian influenza is often found in birds and is not
easily spread from birds to people. The type found in birds in Asia right now has spread to a few people,
but has not spread from person to person. There is concern about this type of avian influenza because it is
a type of influenza that has caused serious illness in people in the past. The influenza virus changes all the
time so there is also worry if this type of avian influenza ever changed so that it could spread person to
person, many people would become ill.
Can pandemic influenza infect animals?
Influenza infects different types of animals, usually pigs, birds and sometimes horses, cats, dogs and other
animals. Pandemic influenza will likely be able to infect animals and may even infect people because of their
contact with infected animals.
Most household pets in the U.S. do not carry or are able to catch strains of influenza that make people ill
therefore you do not need to worry about your household pet infecting you or your family with influenza
during normal influenza season. If pandemic influenza occurs, you may need to take action to protect your
pet and your family.
What is IDPH doing to prepare?
Throughout every "flu season", usually in the fall and winter months, Iowa Dept. of Public Health (IDPH)
tracks the different types of influenza that occur in people who visit their doctor, attend school, child care or
live in a long term care facility. IDPH is also developing a pandemic influenza response plan. For more
information on influenza, pandemic influenza and avian influenza refer to our website at
www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/flu.asp.
Is there vaccine for pandemic influenza?
Currently, there is not a vaccine for pandemic influenza because we do not know what strain will cause
pandemic influenza. Many national governments are working with researchers and scientists on a vaccine
against the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has infected people and birds in Asia.
Is Iowa stockpiling vaccine for the public?
IDPH is not stockpiling vaccine or antiviral medication for pandemic influenza for three reasons.
· The federal government has started to stockpile antiviral medication.
· For a vaccine to provide protection, it must be specific against the new strain of influenza
(the vaccine must "match" the strain causing human illness).
· Even though the federal government has started to stockpile antiviral medication, there is
no guarantee this medication will be effective or prevent illness due to a new strain of influenza.
The best preparation and defense for a possible pandemic is the ability to detect and identify a new strain
of influenza virus quickly, and then determine the best response measures to limit exposure and spread, and
identify medication(s) to effectively treat the disease.
Is there medicine for pandemic influenza?
Depending on the type of influenza, there may be no medicine a limited amount of medicine to treat those
who are ill. Once a pandemic strain is identified, then public health officials will have to determine if any current
medications may be used or if new ones need to be developed. The federal government is stockpiling antiviral
medication in the event that a pandemic of influenza happens. However, there is no guarantee that the medication
they are stockpiling will work against the pandemic strain of influenza.
Is the government going to stockpile medication?
Iowa is not stockpiling medication and does not the Iowa Dept. of Public Health recommend health care
professional stockpile antiviral medication. The U.S. government is currently increasing the stockpile of an
antiviral drug in the event that it may be effective against the kind of influenza virus causing the pandemic.
We have put together some information for you to download and use in your home, school or parish.
Visit some of the websites listed below for further documentation and resources.
Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
What is Pandemic Influenza "Bird Flu"?
How to Take Care of Someone with Seasonal or Pandemic Flu - New 9/2007
Pandemic Flu and You - Dealing with Ill Students - New 9/2007
Iowa Emergency Preparedness Guide
Avian Influenza "Bird Flu" General Public Information Fact Sheet
Influenza "Flu" Recommendations for the Home Fact Sheet
Influenza "Flu" Recommendations for Businesses Fact Sheet
Pandemic Influenza General Public Fact Sheet
Influenza "Flu" Recommendations for Child Care Facilities Fact Sheet
Family Emergency Health Information Sheet
Influenza Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
Pandemic Influenza Planning: Guide for Individuals and Families
Pandemic Influenza Annex Executive Summary - Ia Dept. of Public Health
Child Care and PreSchool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
School K-12 Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Important Phone Numbers and Websites
FAQ's for a Biological Attack, Chemical Attack and "Dirty Bomb" Attack
Reconstitution - Post Stage 5 Pandemic Influenza
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