PREPARE YOUR FAMILY FOR EMERGENCIES
Pandemic Information
Update
|
Fast
Facts
Influenza pandemics involve the rapid spread of a novel
(most people have no immunity against it) influenza
virus across the world, resulting in an unusually high
number of illnesses and deaths for approximately 2 to 3
years. Such pandemics occurred in 1918, 1957, and 1968.
At
times, false alarms do occur where a novel influenza
virus emerges that causes a few human cases of severe
illness or death, but never succeeds in causing
widespread human illness. Scientists can monitor these
viruses, but can't predict the outcome.
It
is impossible to know whether the currently spreading
influenza type A (H5N1) virus will cause a human
pandemic. |
www.pandemicflu.gov (click for current information on
pandemic flu and Avian Influenza ("bird flu")).
"What can I
do now to prepare my family for pandemic influenza?"
Answer:
First, the world's public health community is on alert and
watching the avian influenza type A H5N1 virus (known as the
bird flu) carefully. Right now no influenza virus qualifies as a
pandemic virus, including H5N1. While scientists are watching
the H5N1 virus, they must also look for other influenza viruses
that could change to become a threat to human health, and
possibly qualify as a pandemic influenza virus.
Still, it's
good to be concerned about emergency preparedness. If a pandemic
influenza outbreak were to occur in your community, schools and
business could be closed. Plan ahead for situations in which you
might have to take care of yourself and your family without
leaving home. Think about essential supplies like food and
medicine.
Influenza
viruses spread easily, including seasonal influenza. Handwashing
and cough etiquette reduce the chances of becoming ill. Teach
your children how to wash their hands to protect them from
viruses that cause influenza and colds. For more on handwashing
and cough etiquette, check
www.cdc.gov/cleanhands and
www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm.
INFLUENZA INFORMATION
(click on items below)
Up-to-date
flu information
Influenza Fact Sheet
Who should get a flu shot?
Watch CDC video
Is it FLU? Or is it a COLD?
