Get Informed. Be Prepared.
This site was made to help you understand the risk of a pandemic influenza outbreak in our country and your community. It describes common sense actions you can take now to prepare for a pandemic. We cannot predict how severe the next pandemic will be or when it will happen, but being ready when it strikes may help lower the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. More information including a planning checklist for individuals and families can be found on the internet at www.pandemicflu.gov.
Importance and Benefits of Being Prepared
The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if you prepare ahead of time. Preparing for a disaster will help bring peace of mind and confidence so that you can better deal with a pandemic situation.
A pandemic would touch every aspect of society, so every part of society must start preparing. All have roles in the event of a pandemic. Federal, state, tribal, and local governments are developing, improving, and testing their plans for an influenza pandemic. Businesses, schools, universities, and other faith-based and community organizations are also making plans.
As you get started with your individual or family planning, you may want to read both your state and local public health planning efforts for emergency preparedness. State plans and other planning information can be found on this site.
Pandemic Influenza - Challenges and Preparation
As you and your family plan for an influenza pandemic, think about the challenges you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. You can start to prepare now to be able to respond to these challenges. The following are some challenges you or your family may face and tips to help you manage the situation. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.
The Essential Services You Depend on May Be Disrupted
- Plan for the possibility that regular services you depend on may be disrupted.
- Stores may close or have limited supplies.
- Transportation services may be disrupted and you may not be able to count on public transportation.
- Public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and church services, may be canceled.
- Consider that the ability to travel, even by car if there are gasoline shortages, may be limited.
- You should also talk to your family about where family members and loved ones will go in an emergency and how they will get care, in case you cannot communicate with them. Talk with your family about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
- In a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shutting down of local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks in small bills for easy use.
Food and Water Supplies May Be Interrupted and Limited
- Store a two week supply of water (1 gallon of water per person per day - 2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
- Store a two week supply of food and supplies (see below). During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of stock, it will be important for you to have extra food and supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
- Insure that formula for infants and any child’s or older person’s special nutritional needs are a part of you planning.
- Ask your doctor and insurance company if you can get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs.
- Have nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
- Be sure to consider pet foods and supplies also.
Examples of food and non-perishables:
Ready-to-eat canned meats like fish and chicken, fruits, vegetables, beans and soups
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal or granola
Peanut butter or nuts
Dried fruit
Crackers
Canned juices
Bottled water
Canned or jarred baby food and formula
Pet food
Other nonperishable foods
Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
Soap and water for hand washing and bathing as well as an alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash/hand sanitizer
Medicines for fever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen
Thermometer
Anti-diarrhea medication
Vitamins
Fluids with electrolytes
Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers
Flashlight
Batteries
Portable radio
Manual can opener
Garbage bags
N-95 face masks
Laundry detergent and bleach
Being Able to Work May Be Difficult or Impossible
- Ask your employer how business will continue during a pandemic.
- Talk to your employer about working special shifts or working at home. Discuss telecommuting possibilities and needs, accessing remote networks, and using portable computers.
- Discuss flexibility in vacation and sick leave policies. Also cover how much leave you can take to care for yourself or a family member.
- Plan for possible loss of income in case you are unable to work or the company you work for temporarily closes.
Schools and Daycare Centers May Be Closed for an Extended Period of Time
- Schools, and potentially public and private preschools, childcare, trade schools, and colleges and universities may be closed to limit the spread of flu in the community and to help keep children from becoming sick. School closings would probably happen very early in a pandemic and could happen on short notice.
- Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about your school’s pandemic plan, and offer your help.
- Plan now for children staying at home for longer periods of time, as school closings may happen along with restrictions on public gatherings, such as at malls or movie theaters.
Medical Care for People with Chronic Illness Could be Disrupted
- In a severe pandemic, hospitals and doctors’ offices may become full and/or close.
- Make sure you have any required medical supplies and monitoring equipment. If you need ongoing care, talk with your doctor about care during a pandemic.
How You Can Help
- 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.