Transcript Pandemic Influenza

Emergency
Preparedness
Your Health is in Your Hands
Why Be Prepared?
We are always at risk for unexpected disruption
in our world such as:
 Natural disasters like weather emergencies
and power outages
 Terrorism and Bioterrorism like smallpox and
anthrax
 Diseases like Pandemic Flu
Pandemics
Unlike other disasters that may be confined
to a specific area and be of limited duration,
a pandemic is unique because of its global
impact and long duration. Avian Flu (Bird Flu)
has recently emerged as a potential pandemic
threat to the world.
Here is just a quick overview of pandemic flu.
What is Influenza?



Acute, febrile respiratory
illness affecting nose,
throat, bronchial tubes and
lungs
Epidemics caused by
influenza viruses A and B
(Type C uncommon in
people; no epidemics)
Occurs worldwide, causing
considerable morbidity
(illness) and mortality
(death) each year

Symptoms appear rapidly
Influenza Symptoms

Fever, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches/pain,
headache, lack of energy, possibly runny nose

Fever and body aches for 3-5 days

Cough and lack of energy - 2 weeks

Symptoms similar to other upper respiratory diseases
such as adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza,
legionellosis, etc.
What is an Influenza Pandemic ?

A global influenza outbreak
 Caused by a brand new (novel) flu virus
 Most severe occur with changes in both surface proteins
 Viruses can be isolated at any time of year

Because it is a new virus, few or no people would be immune

Many people would get sick in every part of the world

Asia is the source of many outbreaks because swine, birds and
humans live under the same roof, providing opportunity for viral
mixing
Influenza Pandemics 20th Century
Credit: US National Museum of Health and
Medicine
1918: “Spanish Flu”
A(H1N1)
1957: “Asian Flu”
A(H2N2)
1968: “Hong Kong Flu”
A(H3N2)
20-40 m deaths
1-4 m deaths
1-4 m deaths
675,000 US deaths
70,000 US deaths
34,000 US deaths
If a Pandemic Happens:
What to expect…

At the peak of a moderate pandemic influenza outbreak (i.e.
35% attack rate, 6 week duration), New York State (excluding New
York City) can expect:




14,916 influenza-related hospital admissions per week
3,728 influenza-related deaths per week
2,609 deaths in the hospital
Influenza patients will most likely utilize:



63% of hospital bed capacity
125% of intensive care capacity
65% of hospital ventilator capacity
Source: NYSDOH
Who Needs to be Prepared?
Being prepared for pandemic flu and other
emergencies is everyone's business
including:
 Federal, State and Local governments
 Businesses
 Community agencies
 Individuals and families
What Can You DO?
Your Health is in Your Hands..

Stay Healthy

Be Prepared

Get informed
STAY HEALTHY
Your Health is in Your Hands..

Vaccination and antivirals will not
be available or will be limited at
the start of a pandemic

We must prepare for that by
preventing the spread of
pandemic flu through basic
health strategies
Stay Healthy - Individual
Infection Control
Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene
are effective strategies to stop the spread of germs.
We should make
good hygiene a
habit now.
Stay Healthy - Individual
Infection Control

Stay at least three feet from people who are
coughing or sneezing.

Do not share eating utensils, drinking
glasses, towels, pens, cell phones or
other personal items

Stay at home when you are sick. Keep your
children home from school or daycare when
they are sick
Stay Healthy - Hand Hygiene

Wash Hands Frequently



Soap and hot water
Minimum of 20 seconds
(the time it takes to sing
“Happy Birthday” twice)
Alcohol based hand rubs
Learn how to do it right:
http://www.uhn.ca/patient/general/handwashing.asp
VIDEO LINK
Stay Healthy – Cover Your
Cough
Many illnesses like influenza are spread by
sneezing or coughing. Start now and get into
health habits that reduce the spread of germs.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
when coughing and sneezing. Throw out
the tissue and wash your hands.

If you don’t have a tissue, don’t use your
hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into the
crook of your arm so you won’t get germs
on your hands and spread them to others.
Stay Healthy - What About
Masks?

Recommended for:

Health care workers with
direct patient contact

Those at high risk for
complications of influenza

Symptomatic persons

Contacts of ill persons
More About Masks..

Benefit of wearing masks by well persons in public settings has
not been established
 Persons may choose to wear a mask as part of an individual
protection strategy that includes respiratory hygiene/cough
etiquette, hand hygiene, and social distancing.
 If you wear a mask,
keep your hands away
from your face!
 Clean your hands
each time you touch
your mask!
Health is in Your Hands…

If you go to the doctor’s office or emergency department
when you are sick, ask for a mask.

Keep immunizations up to date including an annual flu
shot.
Stay Healthy - Work or School
Infection Control Strategies

Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene


Stay away if ill
Encourage self-reporting of illness that develops

Active screening for illness in staff/students
Family Preparedness Checklist

To plan for a pandemic
 Store a supply of food
and water
 Have non-prescription
drugs and other health
supplies on hand
 Get involved in your
community

Start now to limit the spread
of germs and prevent
infection
 Hand hygiene
 Respiratory hygiene
 Stay home if sick
 Parents need to model
behavior
Create your individual /family plan utilizing the HHS/CDC
guidelines at:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html
BE PREPARED
Be Prepared….
The New York State Department of Health is
encouraging New Yorkers to have at least a
two-week supply of essential household
items on hand. This is important not just in
case of pandemic flu but to be prepared for
any number of emergencies that can and do
occur regularly—for instance, weather
emergencies and extended power outages
Individual and Family
Preparedness is Crucial!


We might have to take care of ourselves and
those around us
Would you be ready?
Be Prepared….
Items to have on hand for an
extended stay at home:






Food and non-perishables
Items of comfort
Items for personal comfort
Cash
Pets- don’t forget your pet’s food and medicine
Phone - a standard “wired” phone; Cordless phones
will not operate when the power is out.
Be Prepared….
Medical, Health & Emergency Supplies

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring
equipment

Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash

Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Thermometer/bandages and gauze pads/adhesive tape

Anti-diarrhea medication

Vitamins

Scissors, tweezers, and safety pins

Cleansing agent/soap

Flashlight and batteries

Disposable gloves

Portable radio

Manual can opener

Garbage bags

Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, feminine products
Be Prepared….
Create an Individual/Family Health Information
and Emergency Health Information Sheet so
vital health information is readily available. To
download and print a copy of a Health Information
sheet click here:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/familyhealthinfo.html
GET INFORMED
Bird Flu
Frequently Asked Question

http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/qu
estions_and_answers_2.htm
Get InformedGet informed/Stay informed – on the web
Health and Human Services:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
 Learn more about emergency preparedness
http://www.redcross.org

Test Your Preparedness
Take the test

T F Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of government
agencies only.

T F Pandemics can cause greater disasters because they affect large
areas around the world.

T F Avian Flu (Bird Flu) has the potential to become a pandemic flu.

T F There is nothing you can do to prepare for a disaster.

T F It is best to cover your nose and mouth with your hand
when you cough/sneeze.

T F Washing your hands can greatly reduces your risk of illness.

T F If you are coughing or sneezing stay at least one foot away
from people.

T F Canned fruits, vegetables and soups are items to have on the
shelf in case of an extended emergency.

T F Cordless phones are adequate in emergency situations if there
is a power failure.

T F The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a
good source for pandemic flu information.
Check Your Answers
1. F
2. T
3. T
4. F
5. F
6. T
7. F
8. T
9. F
10. T