Pandemic Flu Preparing a Community FullText Version

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Pandemic Flu Preparing a Community(Full-Text
Version)

• Presented by
• The Bloomfield Department of Health and Human
  Services

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Outline

• Pandemic Bird Flu / Avian Flu / A (H5N1) virus
• What you can expect when a Pandemic occurs
• State response
• Local response
• How to prepare and protect yourself and your
  family
• Can get full text copy on website
  www.bloomfieldtwpnj/health after April 27th.

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Understanding a Pandemic
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What is flu pandemic?

• A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of flu.
• There are three characteristics that distinguish
  a flu pandemic from the seasonal flu outbreaks
  that occur every year.
• The pandemic is caused by a new strain of flu
  virus to which people have
• no immunity.
• The virus is spread easily from person to person.
• The virus is capable of causing severe illness
  and many deaths.
• Flu pandemics tend to arrive with very little
  warning. This new virus may be a
• combination of viruses that have not circulated
  among people for a long time.
• Most people will have no natural protection or
  immunity from the new virus.
• Because of this, the new virus is especially
  dangerous, and could lead to high
• rates of illness and death.

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Avian Influenza

• Birds (aquatic) serve as the reservoir for
  influenza
• Highly pathogenic (virulent) strain H5N1
• Little immunity in human population to H5N1
• Not readily transmitted to or between humans at
  this time

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Avian Influenza

• Birds carry virus in respiratory tract and
  intestines
• Shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions and feces
• Does not usually cause disease in wild birds
• Estimated 30 of wild water fowl are infected on
  migration from breeding grounds
• May cause severe disease in domesticated birds
• Avian influenza in humans
• Does not usually infect humans directly
• Rare of person-to-person transmission
• Swine may serve as mixing vessels

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Why are public health officials worried about a
flu pandemic?

• The appearance and spread of avian influenza
  (also known as bird flu) has
• raised concern about a new influenza pandemic.
  Bird flu has swept through
• poultry flocks in Asia and is continuing to
  spread from Asia to Europe.
• Public health officials are also concerned that
  half of the people in Asia who
• became ill from bird flu died. It is believed
  that these people came in contact
• with chickens, turkeys, ducks or their droppings.
• There is no conclusive proof right now that bird
  flu can spread easily from one
• person to another. But scientists worry that the
  avian virus could change and
• spread between people, which could start a flu
  pandemic

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The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services Statistics

• An influenza pandemic could result in
• 1.5 million outpatient visits
• 40,000 hospitalizations
• Over 8,000 deaths in New Jersey
• Stressed outpatient and inpatient care systems
• High rates of absenteeism among health care
  workers
• At increased risk of exposure and illness
• Or who have to care for ill family members

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Other Pandemics

• In 1918 the Spanish flu claimed the lives of
  675,000 Americans. This was an unusually severe
  influenza pandemic.
• The Asian flu pandemic of 1957 resulted in the
  deaths of 69,800 U.S. citizens.
• The Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968, the least
  severe of the 20th century pandemics, resulted in
  33,800 deaths.
• Every year, seasonal flu kills about 36,000
  Americans.

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1918 Flu Pandemic (Notice that everyone is
wearing a mask)
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Recent Spread as of May 19, 2006
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The Plan for The State of New Jersey

• .to help minimize morbidity and mortality, and
  maintain the operations of essential community
  services in the event of a pandemic.

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Broad Resource Strain

• Difficult to shift resources between states
• Reinforces the need for each state to develop a
  plan
• Require a substantial degree of self-reliance
• The emotional effects of a pandemic are expected
  to be severe

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What is New Jersey doing to prepare for a
possible pandemic?

• Like many other states, New Jersey has developed
  and continually updates a statewide influenza
  pandemic plan.
• This plan will help guide public health
  officials in responding to an influenza pandemic.
  Some of the issues the plan addresses are disease
  surveillance, vaccine distribution and the
  delivery and use of antiviral medication.
• The influenza pandemic plan will also help New
  Jerseys medical experts monitor how influenza is
  spreading, outline public health methods to
  control the spread, and guide health care
  facilities to handle excessive numbers of
  patients.

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The Plan for The State of New Jersey

• Developed to complement the State Emergency
  Operations Plan
• Includes
• Duties of New Jersey Department of Health and
  Senior Services (NJDHSS)
• Actions that local health departments (LHDs) need
  to take to prepare for and respond to an
  influenza pandemic
• Actions that Local Information Network and
  Communications System (LINCS) need to take to
  prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic
  NJ LINCS is a system of public health
  professionals and electronic public health
  information that enhances the identification and
  containment of diseases and hazardous conditions
  that threaten the public's health. Built on
  personal computer and Internet technologies,
  LINCS is a network of twenty two strategically
  positioned local health departments located
  throughout the state, the New Jersey Department
  of Health and Senior Services, all other local
  health departments and public/private
  organizations working at the community level to
  protect the public's health.

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Understanding your Local Health Department(LHD)
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Bloomfield Health and Human Services Org Chart
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POD

• A Point of Dispensing site, also known as a
  POD, is a site or area where preventative
  medications, vaccinations or personal protective
  equipment (such as masks) can be mass distributed
  to large numbers of people in the event of a
  naturally occurring disease outbreak or a
  bioterrorist event.
• A POD is a planned event with a specific day and
  time, providing Township residents a known place
  to seek treatment during an emergency should the
  State or Government order such treatment. An
  example of a POD, on a small scale, would be the
  annual Flu Clinic.
• Local Health Department coordinates with the OEM
  and the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) will be
  managing operations.

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Mental Health

• Emotional effects of a pandemic are expected to
  be severe.
• Emergency mental health services will be
  delivered in non-clinical settings, to
  non-treatment seeking people, who are responding
  normally to an abnormal event.
• The objectives of emergency mental health
  services include administering psychological
  first aid providing support, information, and
  pragmatic help and most importantly, identifying
  individuals who are at risk for long-term adverse
  mental health outcomes and referring them to the
  appropriate level of care.  

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What to Expect / Challenges

• Social Disruption May Be Widespread
• Plan for the possibility that usual services may
  be disrupted. These could include services
  provided by hospitals and other health care
  facilities, banks, stores, restaurants,
  government offices, and post offices.
• Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings,
  such as volunteer meetings and worship services,
  are canceled.
• Consider how to care for people with special
  needs in case the services they rely on are not
  available.

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Challenges

• Being Able to Work May Be Difficult or
  Impossible
• Find out if you can work from home.
• Ask your employer about how business will
  continue during a pandemic. (A Business Pandemic
  Influenza Planning Checklist is available at
  www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html.)
  
• Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income
  if you are unable to work or your place of
  employment is closed.
• Check with your employer or union about leave
  policies.

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Challenges

• Schools May Be Closed for an Extended Period of
  Time
• Discuss with your school administrators, and
  parent-teacher organizations any pandemic plan.
• Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have
  materials, such as books, on hand. Also plan
  recreational activities that your children can do
  at home.
• Consider childcare needs. (Backup provider)

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Challenges

• Transportation Services May Be Disrupted
• Think about how you can rely less on public
  transportation during a pandemic. For example,
  store food and other essential supplies so you
  can make fewer trips to the store.
• Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved
  ones who are far away.

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How can we prepare?
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Recommendations

• Make a Kit
• Make a Plan
• Keep Informed
• Sign up for Code-Red
• Stay Healthy and Stop the spread of Germs

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KitWater and Food

• Food
• Store at least a 2 week supply of non-perishable
  food.
• Select foods that require no refrigeration,
  preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
• Choose foods your family will eat.
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• High energy foods

• Water
• One gallon of water per person per day, for
  drinking and sanitation.
• Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may
  need more water.
• Purchase bottled water or store water tightly in
  clean plastic containers such as soft drink
  bottles.
• Keep at least a 2 week supply of water per
  person.

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Kit Emergency Supplies

• Start now by gathering basic emergency supplies -
  a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, a NOAA
  (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
  Weather radio with tone alert, extra batteries, a
  first aid kit, toilet articles, prescription
  medicines and other special items your family may
  need.
• Include warm clothes and a sleeping bag and/or
  blankets for each member of the family.

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KitFirst Aid

• Things you should have
• Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if
  you are allergic to Latex).
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to
  disinfect.
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general
  decontaminant.
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications you take every day such
  as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.
  You should periodically rotate medicines to
  account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and
  blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
  

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KitFirst Aid

• Things it may be good to have
• Cell Phone
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Non-prescription drugs
• Non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative

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CDC approved Mask

• N-95 Mask reduces exposure to airborne viruses
• Things to Consider
• Level of comfort for wear over an extended period
  of time
• If you are going to be sitting in your office
  with a mask on all day, it has to be comfortable
  or you will take it off.
• If you are just going to use it when grocery
  shopping, maybe a cheaper, less-comfortable mask
  will do fine.
• All masks come with instructions from the
  manufacturer on their use.

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Get Informed

• Get Informed Stay Informed
• Knowing the facts is the best preparation.
  Identify sources you can count on for reliable
  information. If a pandemic occurs, having
  accurate and reliable information will be
  critical.
• Listen to local and national radio, watch news
  reports on television, and read your newspaper
  and other sources of printed and Web-based
  information.
• Talk to your local health care providers and
  public health officials.

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Stay Healthy

• Stay Healthy
• Will the seasonal flu shot protect me against
  pandemic influenza?
• No, it won't protect you against pandemic
  influenza. But flu shots can help you to stay
  healthy.
• Get a flu shot to help protect yourself from
  seasonal flu.
• No vaccine for pandemic flu could be 6-9 mo.s
  after flu hits for vaccine to be developed
• Get a pneumonia shot to prevent secondary
  infection if you are over the age of 65 or have a
  chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma. For
  specific guidelines, talk to your health care
  provider or the Bloomfield Department of Health
  and Human Services
• Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of
  germs. Make good hygiene a habit.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you
  cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in a waste basket.
• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you
  dont have a tissue.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Use
  soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Stay at home if you are sick.

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Influenza

• A respiratory illness
• Symptoms
• typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g. fever,
  cough, sore throat, and muscle aches)
• eye infections (conjunctivitis),
• acute respiratory distress,
• viral pneumonia
• and other severe, life-threatening complications
• Incubation period is 1 to 4 days
• Most contagious 24 hours before the onset of
  symptoms and 3 to 5 days after the onset of
  symptoms
• Survives on non-porous surfaces for 24 to 48
  hours, can transfer to hands up to 24 hours from
  this type of surface
• Survives on porous surfaces for 8 to 12 hours and
  can transfer to hands up to 15 minutes from this
  type of surface

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How to Stop the Spread of Germs

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot, soapy
  water (for kids' hands, use warm, soapy water
  instead). Thoroughly scrub hands, wrists,
  fingernails, and between fingers.
• Wash hands before and after you prepare food and
  especially after preparing raw meat, poultry,
  eggs, and seafood.
• Wash hands after using the bathroom, changing
  diapers, handling pets, or whenever you have
  touched something that may be contaminated.
• Rinse and dry hands with a clean towel or
  consider using durable, disposable paper towels
  for drying hands, so germs are thrown away.
• Carry a hand sanitizer at all times.

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How to Stop the Spread of Germs

• Avoid close contact
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  When you are sick, keep your distance from others
  to protect them from getting sick too. SOCIAL
  DISTANCING
• Stay home when you are sick
• If possible, stay home from work, school, and
  errands when you are sick. You will help prevent
  others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
  coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around
  you from getting sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Germs are often spread when a person touches
  something that is contaminated with germs and
  then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth

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Special Needs

• Remember the special needs of your family
  members. Infants, the elderly and persons with
  disabilities need the same planning as everyone
  else, and sometimes a little more, to be prepared
  for a pandemic.

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Special Needs

• For Baby
• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications including non-prescription
• Moist towelettes
• Diaper rash ointment

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Special Needs

• For Adults
• Ask your doctor about storing prescription
  medications such as heart and high blood pressure
  medication, insulin and other prescription drugs.
  
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

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Special Needs

• For Seniors and Disabled
• Plan how you will evacuate or signal for help.
• Plan emergency procedures with home health care
  agencies or workers.
• Tell others where you keep your emergency
  supplies.
• Teach others how to operate necessary equipment.
• Label equipment like wheelchairs, canes or
  walkers.

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Special Needs

• For Seniors and Disabled
• List of prescription medications including dosage
  in your supply kits. Include any allergies.
• Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
• A list of the style and serial numbers of medical
  devices such as pacemakers in your emergency
  supply kits.
• Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards.
• List of doctors and emergency contacts.

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Special Needs

• For Seniors and Disabled
• Bloomfield is currently developing a registration
  plan.
• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help
  identify your disability.
• If you are dependent on dialysis or other life
  sustaining treatment, know the location and
  availability of more than one facility.

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File Of Life (Available from the Bloomfield
Department of Health Human Services

• The File of Life is a red plastic magnetic file
  folder that attaches to your refrigerator. The
  file contains vitally important information about
  you so that emergency medical professionals have
  quick access to your basic medical information.
  Also available for your use is a personal size
  File of Life, which you can carry in a wallet or
  purse for lifesaving information outside the
  home. This information includes
• Medications that you take
• Allergies you have
• Your Medical Conditions
• Your Blood Type
• Emergency Contact Information
• Your Physician's Name
• Your Preferred Hospital
• ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE

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Opportunities for Helping

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

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Additional Information and Resources

• Get Informed
• www.pandemicflu.gov.
• (CDC) Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO
  (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in
  English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
  week. TTY 1-888-232-6348. Questions can be
  e-mailed to inquiry_at_cdc.gov.
• State department of public health at
  www.cdc.gov/other.htmlstates.
• Talk to your local health care providers and
  public health officials. Bloomfield 973 680
  4024
• Many of the state plans and other planning
  information can be found at pandemicflu.gov/plan/t
  ab2.html.
• Emergency Kits contact the Red Cross at
• www.redcross.org

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Take Home Messages

• The threat to public health will remain so long
  as the virus continues to cause disease in
  domestic poultry
• The outbreaks in poultry are likely to take a
  very long time to control
• Regardless of how the present situation evolves,
  the world needs to be better prepared to respond
  to the next influenza pandemic

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Summary

• We hope information has helped you to understand
  the nature of a flu pandemic as well as what NJ
  and Bloomfield are doing to prepare for such an
  event.
• Additionally, we hope that this information has
  helped too to see how you can prepare yourselves
  and your loved ones.