Pandemic Influenza

Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic

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Agenda

• Pandemic influenza overview • Historical look at pandemic influenza • What would a future pandemic look like?

• Individual, family, and community • Emergency preparedness 2

Influenza Overview

• Influenza (flu) – a contagious respiratory illness, caused by a virus • Spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching items that are contaminated with the virus (doorknobs, keyboards, etc.) • Infectious 1-2 days before showing symptoms and during their entire illness 3

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Seasonal Influenza

Every year in the U.S. seasonal flu: • Results in the death of 36,000 people • Causes of 200,000 hospitalizations • Costs the U.S. $10 billion • Most previously healthy people recover from the seasonal flu in 1-2 weeks without serious medical intervention There is a vaccine for seasonal flu – Get your flu shot every year!

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The world may be on the brink of another pandemic. -World Health Organization 2005 6

Pandemic Influenza

A pandemic is an outbreak of disease that spreads rapidly, and affects many people worldwide. Many health officials believe that it is not a matter of

if

there is another influenza pandemic, but

when

.

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Conditions of a Pandemic

• New virus to humans • Causes serious illness • Easily transmissible human to human 8

Six Stages of a Pandemic

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Pandemic of 1918-1919

• At least 40 million deaths worldwide • Half of those dying were in their 20s and 30s, representing as many as 8 to 10% of all young adults • More people died of influenza in a year than the Black Death in the Middle Ages killed in a century • More died in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years Photo courtesy of the National Archives 10

Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Health & Medicine 11

Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Health & Medicine 12

Photo courtesy of the National Archives 13

Photo courtesy of the National Archives 14

Other 20th Century Influenza Pandemics

Asian Influenza of 1957, with an estimated 2 million deaths worldwide, including 70,000 in the U.S. Hong Kong Influenza of 1968, with an estimated 1 million deaths worldwide, including 34,000 in the U.S.

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What could Pandemic Influenza look like in my community?

• Long periods of disease, in waves • Could last weeks to months • Disruption of daily life 16

Health Implications

• Inadequate medical supplies • Overwhelmed hospitals and clinics • Significant numbers of illness and death will occur • Significant portion of the population would have no one to take care of them 17

Projections for U.S. During a Pandemic

Characteristics Moderate (1968 like) Severe (1918 like) U.S.

Indiana U.S.

Indiana Illness Outpatient medical care Hospitalization Ventilation Deaths 90 Million 45 Million 865,000 64,875 209,000 1,860,000 930,000 17,856 1,339 4,278 90 Million 45 Million 9,900,000 742,500 1,903,000 1,860,000 930,000 204,600 15,345 39,246 18

Economic Implications

• Over 30% of workforce out at any given time due to personal or family illness • Collapse of goods and materials supply chains • Possible store closings 19

In a pandemic the best way to ensure the safety of your family and your community is to prepare.

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The most important preparation you can make is to believe that preparations are necessary!

• Disasters do happen where you live and work.

• A disaster will impact you and your family.

• There is significantly less impact if you are prepared.

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Plan

• Preparation is a continuous, cumulative process.

• Take small steps – frequently!

• Take practical, specific actions.

• Plan for “ all hazards.

” • Consider “ cascading effects ” such as power outages and transportation disruption. 22

Prepare

• • • Each of us has personal responsibility to prepare.

Make a family communication plan and begin gathering emergency supplies. Start talking about pandemic planning in your community. 23

Family Communication Plan

• Work/school/cell numbers, addresses, & e-mail • Meeting places if separated – local & distant • Out of state “ call in ” contact • Personal information on all family members • Rules for re-assembly and contact 24

Emergency Supplies

Keep your supplies in a large plastic tote container with inventory list taped inside the cover. List dates of rotation/expiration.

• Communications plan • Cash/traveler’s checks • Legal/financial papers • Water & food • Maps of the area • Battery or crank radio • Spare batteries • ID & credentials • Medications • Medical thermometer • Hygiene items • First aid kit • Flashlights 25

Special Populations

• • •

Infants:

formula, bottles, baby food, diapers & wipes, medications

Adults:

list of medications, dosages, caregiver contact information, dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aid needs, contact lens supplies

Seniors:

brief medical history, make and model information on all lifts, chairs, oxygen & other equipment – ensure a robust support network – evacuation and transportation needs 26

Pets:

Include them in your emergency kit (food, water, vet records, medications, special toys, & supplies) • Do not leave pets behind or outside.

• Identify alternate pet care if you become ill.

• Know that pets react differently to stress –watch them closely.

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Personal Documents

• Create an emergency financial first aid kit.

• Include important legal documents and records (birth certificates, titles, insurance). • Update whenever changes occur. • Keep copy in safe deposit box.

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Most importantly:

Make your preparations work for you! More information/checklists

www.statehealth.in.gov www.cdc.gov www.pandemicflu.gov www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm www.who.int/ www.travel.state.gov

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Influenza Prevention Practices

Practice healthy hygiene

• Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or tissue.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.

Social distancing

• Stay away from work if you are sick.

• Stay an “ arm ’ s length ” away from others.

• Talk to your employer about workplace plans. 30

Community Preparation

• Know your neighbors. • Reach out to neighbors with disabilities. • Take a CPR or First Aid class. • Volunteer in your community. • Talk about emergency preparedness in your community, and how to keep ALL members safe. 31

If you are prepared, you will be more ready for pandemic influenza or any emergency.

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