1. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Teshia Haynes, MPH Student
Walden University
PUBH
Dr. Rebecca Heick
Fall 2009
This presentation is to provide the public information of influenza preparedness in the event this becomes an pandemic problem.

2. What is pandemic influenza?
A global outbreak of a new influenza A virus where there is little to no immunity in the human population.
According to the Center for Disease Control (2009), a flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population.
In 1918, there was a global pandemic case of Spanish flu that killed approximately 50 million worldwide.
Center for Disease Control (2009). About the Flu. Retrieved from

3. Objectives
Raise awareness in the public about the impact pandemic influenza has on human health
Educate the public on preparation for pandemic influenza and the cautionary steps to take
Promote individuals to engage in personal preparedness and to spread the word in their communities
The purpose of this presentation is educate American citizens on the pandemic influenza threat and the possible impact it can have on their livelihood. Listed here are the objectives for this presentation. These objectives are designed to warrant action amongst citizens.

4. Influenza Contagious respiratory illness
Two strains in the U.S.: Seasonal and H1N1
Peak Time: Late November through March
Transmission: Person to person contact through respiratory coughing and sneezing (droplet spread)
Incubation: 1 day before symptoms occur to 7 days after exposure
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is spread through coughing and sneezing commonly known as droplet spread. There are two strains of influenza, seasonal and H1N1. The peak time for this illness is late fall to early spring. Influenza can be developed one day before symptoms occur up to five to seven days after exposure.
CDC. (2009). Seasonal Influenza.
Center for Disease Control (2009). Seasonal Influenza. Retrieved from

5. Influenza Symptoms High Fever Headache Fatigue Dry cough Sore Throat
Runny Nose
Nausea, Vomiting, & Diarrhea
The symptoms associated with influenza virus are high fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They are commonly known as flu-like symptoms and have a rapid onset.
Center for Disease Control (2009). Flu Symptoms & Severity. Retrieved from
Center for Disease Control (2009). Flu Symptoms & Severity. Retrieved from

6. Influenza Threat Outbreaks occur late fall to early spring
89, ,000 deaths will occur
Approximately 200 million will become infected
Hospitalizations will be approximately 314, ,000
Outpatient care will account for million people
20-47 million will become clinically ill
The pandemic influenza is posing a serious health threat. The outbreak of influenza occurs during the seasons of fall, winter , and spring. Approximately 200 million have become infected, million will become clinically ill. The pandemic influenza has lead to hospitalizations between 314, ,000. Outpatient care will account for million individuals. Deaths due to the pandemic could occur anywhere from 89, ,000.
Georgia Division of Public Health. (2005). Georgia Influenza Preparedness Plan

7. Types of Influenza Type A Type B Type C
Occur as a epidemic and pandemic
Associated with seasonal flu outbreaks
Occurs in humans and animals
H1N1 A
Type B
Also occurs as a milder epidemic
Usually seen in children
Cannot occur as an pandemic
Occurs only in humans
Type C
Causes mild respiratory illness
Cannot occur as an epidemic or pandemic
There are three types of influenza viruses. A, B, & C. Type A influenza can occur as a epidemic as well as pandemic. It is seen in humans and animals. A new strain of type A influenza is H1N1. Type B influenza occurs as a milder epidemic and is only seen in humans. Type C influenza causes a milder respiratory illness. This type cannot occur as a epidemic or pandemic.
Center for Disease Control (2009). Types of Influenza.Viruses. Retrieved from

8. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
“ The pandemic clock is ticking; we just don’t know what time it is”
-E. Marcuse
There is no time like the present to learn about the pandemic influenza. It is very important that we educate everyone in our communities about the serious health problem. Everyone must continue to actively engage in preparation for this major health condition so that we can accommodate each other as best we can.

9. Preparedness
This is a video presented by the World Health Organization. This provides a synopsis of pandemic influenza preparedness and response.
World Health Organization (2009). Video: (Pandemic influenza preparedness and response.)

10. What can you do to prepare?
Make a plan
Prepare supplies
Be active in your community and neighborhoods
The pandemic influenza is spreading fast worldwide. Currently, in most countries preparation is incomplete. It is up to society as a whole to prepare for this serious health problem. If we are not prepared as a whole, it could lead to consequences such as high rate of infections and high rates of fatality. In an effort to prepare for this you would need to create a plan, prepare supplies, and be active in you neighborhoods.

11. Plan Be proactive Develop a family emergency plan
Have access to family members who are sick
Know what to do about your job
Have a list of medical emergency contacts
Have access to medical information including doctor’s phone numbers and insurance cards.
ca/_downloads/familyemer gencyplan.pdf
It is important to have a checklist including family member contacts as well as medical emergency contacts. The Department of Homeland Security have developed a family emergency plan for public use. It is provided at the link above.
Ready America (2009). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from

12. Prepare Supplies Recommended supplies
Water (1 gallon per person per day)
2 week supply of canned or dried foods
Thermometer
Prescription medication
Non-aspirin pain reliever
Household cleaning supplies
Battery operated radio
Flashlight
Extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Can Opener (manual)
It is important to continue preparing for current pandemic flu. Supplies needed are water and two week supply of food, preferably canned dried foods. Other supplies include thermometer, prescription meds, pain-reliever, household cleaning supplies, battery operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, and can opener. These supplies are important because influenza can run it course anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. We must prepare to not leave the home during this time period.
Ready America (2009). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from

13. Stay Active Stay updated on information regarding pandemic flu
Stay acquainted with neighbors
Be a leader in the community by helping out neighbors and others in the community
Discuss pandemic influenza with others in the community who may be undereducated on the topic
It is important to stay active in neighborhoods and communities. Common practices should include staying updated on information regarding pandemic influenza, staying acquainted with neighbors, being a leader in the community, and discussing the importance of pandemic flu with others who are undereducated on the topic.
Ready America (2009). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from

14. Other Preventive Measures
Vaccination
Good Hand Washing
Prevent spread of germs and infection
Avoid animals
Clean and Disinfect
Other preventive measures include vaccination, good hand washing, prevent spread of infections, avoid animals, and clean and disinfect. Vaccination will diminsh your chances of being affected by the pandemic. It will help your body to develop immunity toward the virus. Good handwashing will help prevent the spread of germs. Hand washing should be done anytime you are in contact with another person, after coughing or sneezing, touching animals, using the restroom, after touching animals, changing diapers, and eating and/or preparing meals. Cleaning and disinfecting will help reduce spreading of germs which will reduce spread of infection. This should be done on a daily basis and more than once a day if dealing with infected individuals.
Ready America (2009). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from

15. REMEMBER… RAISE AWARENESS, EDUCATE, & HELP OTHERS!!!! Stay Informed
Create a plan
Prepare supplies
Discuss with community groups and neighbors
Get vaccinated
Wash hands thoroughly
Clean and disinfect
It is important that we remember to do the things listed so that we can help decrease spread of pandemic influenza. We must raise awareness, educate each other and our communities, and help others!
RAISE AWARENESS, EDUCATE, & HELP OTHERS!!!!

16. References
Center for Disease Control (2009). About the Flu. Retrieved from
Center for Disease Control (2009). Seasonal Influenza. Retrieved from
Georgia Division of Public Health. (2005). Georgia Influenza Preparedness Plan Retrieved from
World Health Organization (2009). Video: Pandemic influenza preparedness and response. Retrieved from
Ready America (2009). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from
Here is a list of the references used throughout my presentation.