Pandemic Influenza

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Pandemic Influenza

• American Red Cross

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American Red Cross

• The American Red Cross is where people mobilize
  to help their neighborsacross the street, across
  the country and across the worldin emergencies.
• Each year, in communities large and small,
  victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to the Red
  Cross.
• Through more than 800 locally supported chapters,
  more than 15 million people gain the skills they
  need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in
  their homes, communities and world.

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Historical Context

• As a humanitarian organization we help people
  prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
  In the past, the Red Cross has responded to other
  public health emergencies, including
  tuberculosis, influenza and polio epidemics in
  the 1940s and 1950s. We were also on the
  forefront of public education to address the
  HIV/AIDS epidemic that began in the 1980s.
• The Red Cross mission expands as we stay
  abreast of new threats and it expands to respond
  to meet the current threat that an influenza
  pandemic could pose to public health.

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Key Areas of Support

• The Red Cross role for a potential influenza
  pandemic will focus on two key areas
• 1. Dissemination of public education and
  information.
• 2. Provision of service delivery like feeding
  and bulk distribution support and assistance to
  homebound individuals. Planning efforts are
  underway to determine this role under conditions
  of a pandemic influenza.

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ACTIVITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES THE RED CROSS WILL
NOT SUPPORT

• The Red Cross will not
• Establish congregate care facilities when local
  authorities advise against it or where such
  facilities would enhance the likelihood of
  disease transmission.
• Assume responsibility for the provision of
  medical care in medical facilities, special needs
  shelters, temporary infirmaries or overflow
  facilities for hospitals.
• Purchase vaccines or medical supplies for use by
  public authorities.
• Violate worker safety guidelines published by
  the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA).

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continued

• Replace lost wages or assume responsibilities for
  needs arising from economic disruption.
• Assume responsibility for patient tracking.
  Formal patient tracking is typically conducted by
  medical care providers. During Welfare
  Information activities, the Red Cross is a
  consumer, not a producer, of such information.
• Conduct death notifications.
• Provide transportation to medical facilities

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Preparing for a Pandemic

• What you can do today.

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What to Expect

• Unlike other disasters, a pandemic flu is an
  infectious disease that does not damage homes,
  utilities, buildings and other structures.
• Daily life will be disrupted, daycares, grocery
  stores, banks, transit systems because of the
  people that operate them.
• A flu pandemic is similar to other disasters
  because it will disrupt your daily routines.
• You will be asked to take personal action to
  reduce the spread of the flu pandemic virus.

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Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals
and Families

• Plan for a pandemic
• Store supplies
• Periodically check your regular prescription
  drugs
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how
  they would be cared for if they got sick, or what
  will be needed to care for them in your home.
• Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist
  with emergency response.
• Get involved in your community as it works to
  prepare for an influenza pandemic.
• Limit the spread of germs and prevent infection
• Teach your children to wash hands frequently with
  soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes
  with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
  
• Teach your children to stay away from others as
  much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from
  work and school if sick.
• Know the alternatives to mass transit should this
  be curtailed.
• Be prepared to care for ill family members.
• http//www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.htm
  l

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Stock Up Now

• Reduce your need to go out during a local flu
  pandemic by stocking extra food, water and
  supplies at home.
• If you do get sick and have extra supplies on
  hand, you will help reduce the spread of pandemic
  flu by staying home.

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Practice Healthy Hygiene

• Clean hands often
• Wash with soap and water or
• Clean with hand sanitizer
• Cover mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and
  clean hands afterwards
• Keep hands away from face
• Stay away from people who are sick

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Prepare at Home

• Plan now to care for yourself or loved ones who
  get the flu.
• Determine what supplies you will need to provide
  care at home.
• Plan how you will care for someone in your
  household who becomes sick.

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Home Care for a Pandemic Influenza

• Recognize the symptoms of influenza
• If someone in your family becomes ill
• Keep personal items separate.
• Disinfect door knobs, switches, toys and other
  surfaces.
• Wear disposable gloves when caring for ill family
  members.
• One person should be the care-giver consider
  wearing a face mask.
• Refer to Red Cross pamphlet, Home Care for
  Pandemic Flu for more information

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Prepare at Your Workplace

• Employers should create plans
• for employees who get sick during a pandemic and
  need to stay home.
• to keep the business functioning if key staff
  cant come to work.
• for sick leave, benefits and wages when employees
  are asked to remain at home.
• Inform your employees about this plans in advance

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Prepare at School

• Ask about plans
• at your childs school or day care regarding an
  influenza pandemic.
• to encourage parents to keep children who are
  sick to stay home to reduce the spread of the
  flu during a local pandemic.
• Checklists and Tools
• Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza
  Planning Checklist PDF - 155KB)
• School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza
  Planning Checklist PDF - 151KB
• Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza
  Planning Checklist PDF - 170KB)
• Emergency Planning Pandemic (U.S. Department of
  Education)

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Stay Informed!

• Resources to use
• www.redcross.org
• State Pandemic Influenza Plans
• Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC)
  Avian Flu
• World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza
• OSHA Guidance for Protecting Workers Against
  Avian Flu

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Thank you