Pandemic Influenza Overview McHenry County Department of Health www.mcdhprepare.info

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Pandemic InfluenzaOverviewMcHenry County
Department of Healthwww.mcdhprepare.info
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Agenda

• Pandemic Influenza
• Seasonal, Avian and Pandemic
• Pandemic Flu Facts
• Why we must prepare
• What you can do
• Infection control update

Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O.
Leavitt
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Michael O. LeavittSecretary of Health and Human
Services
Pandemics have reshaped every area of the world
many, many times over A Pandemic is overdue, and
we are under-prepared.
The time range between pandemics is 10 to 49
years the average is 24 years. If the last
pandemic was in 1968
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Seasonal, Avian, and Pandemic Influenza

• Seasonal influenza
• Occurs every year
• Circulates throughout the human population
• Spreads easily from person to person
• For most people it is unpleasant but not life
  threatening
• An annual vaccine is available
• Avian influenza
• Bird flu strains are found in wild birds
• Devastating to domestic poultry
• Severe but rare human infections
• Does not spread easily from person to person
• H5N1 is one example of a bird flu strain
• Pandemic influenza
• Three conditions must be met for a pandemic to
  occur
• A new influenza virus is present. Humans have
  never been exposed to the virus and have no
  immunity.
• The virus has increased virulence (the ability to
  kill)
• Spreads easily from human-to-human

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak.
Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of the
flu.
Pandemic influenza is different from
avian influenza!
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Avian Influenza Viruses

• Bird flu viruses usually do not jump species
• Classified by pathogenicity (ability to cause
  disease)
• Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)
• High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
• As of February 26, 2007
• 274 cases, 167 deaths, 11 countries
• Most of those infected had
• touched or handled sick poultry

The influenza virus mutates easily. It is a very
promiscuous virus. During genetic reassortment
the virus gets genes from other strains to
create a new virus.
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Pandemic Influenza Facts

1. Influenza pandemics are recurring events that
   happen in waves.
2. The world may be on a brink of another pandemic.
3. Illness will be widespread and transmitted
   rapidly. The number of deaths will be large.
4. All regions will be affected and must be
   prepared. McHenry County cannot rely on outside
   resources to support its response.

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Pandemic Influenza Facts

1. Medical materials (including vaccines and
   antivirals) will be in short supply and groups
   receiving them will need to be prioritized.
2. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) such as
   social distancing, quarantine, infection control
   and public education will be used to manage the
   spread of the disease.

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Pandemic Influenza Facts

1. The healthcare system could be overwhelmed.
2. The supply of critical products (masks, gloves,
   drugs, food, etc.) may be affected because of our
   global just-in-time economy.
3. Economic and social disruption will be
   significant.
4. Hope and despair are not strategies.

Well get through itjust like every pandemic in
our history -Dr. Michael Osterholm
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Why be prepared

• For all the reasons just mentioned, we must take
  action!
• Being prepared will
• Limit illness and death
• Keep students and staff safe
• Minimize social disruption
• Minimize economic losses
• Maintain essential business and government
  services

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What You Can Do

• Educate yourself and your family!
• Learn the facts of a pandemic and how you might
  be affected
• Obtain information from reliable, accurate
  sources
• www.pandemicflu.gov
• www.mcdhprepare.info

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What You Can Do

• Stockpile food and water
• Non-perishable food
• Useful for other emergencies, too
• Have health supplies on hand
• Prescription and non-prescription drugs
• Pain and fever relievers
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Vitamins

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What You Can Do

• Volunteer with local groups
• Medical Reserve Corps
• Other service agencies (i.e. United Way, Red
  Cross, PADS)
• Get involved with your community
• How can you help?
• How do their plans affect you?
• Schools and daycares
• Employers
• Churches

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What You Can Do

• Stay healthy!
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve
• Get rest and eat properly
• Stay at home if you are ill and avoid others who
  are ill

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Infection Control Update

• Please stay tuned for an important update on
  preventing the spread of germs

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Thank you for your attention!Are there any
questions?
Neal Lin, Pandemic Flu Consultant (815)
334-0220 NHLin_at_co.mchenry.il.us
Keri Zaleski, Emergency Response
Coordinator [phone] KAZaleski_at_co.mchenry.il
.us
Susan Borucki, Emergency Response Health
Educator [phone] SCBorucki_at_co.mchenry.il.us