IF YOU ARE SICK WITH INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS (ILI) STAY HOME UNTIL YOU ARE 24 HOURS POST-FEVER WITHOUT THE AID OF FEVER REDUCING MEDICINE.
Preparing for the Pandemic Flu
What you should know…
Pandemic influenza (flu) is a worldwide or widespread outbreak of a new flu virus for which there is little or no immunity, or protection, in the human population. This refers only to the geographic spread of the virus not the severity. Pandemic flu can spread easily from person-to-person, cause serious illness and death. When new pandemic flu spreads it creates a public health emergency. A long-lasting and widespread outbreak of the disease could mean changes in many areas of our lives. Schools might need to temporarily close. Public transportation could be limited and air flights may be cancelled. Because so many people will be ill, many employees will not be able to go to work and many businesses and public services may have to close or limit hours. It is very important to plan ahead. Federal, state and local governments are taking steps to better prepare for and respond to a pandemic. Individuals also need to take action to be better prepared.
What you can do…
Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercise daily, getting enough rest and drinking fluids, and get your seasonal flu shot. Stay informed by keeping up-to-date on a possible pandemic by listening to radio and television, reading news stories and checking out the web. These common sense steps can help stop the spread of influenza germs:
Ø Wash hands frequently using soap and water.
Ø Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Put used tissues in the trash and then wash your hands.
Ø If you get sick, stay home and away from others as much as possible.
Ø Don’t send sick children to school.
Ø Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
DURING A PANDEMIC FLU
Here are some things you will need to know about during a pandemic flu. Please remember, information will change during the pandemic and it will be important to keep up-to-date and follow public health orders.
PUBLIC HEALTH INSTRUCTIONS
Throughout a pandemic flu, you may be asked or required to do things to help hold back the spread of the disease in our community. If local public health officials or your healthcare provider ask you to take certain actions, follow those instructions.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU MAY BE ASKED OR REQUIRED TO DO…
u When you are sick, stay home. Children should not go to school if they are sick. Staying home will be absolutely necessary during a pandemic flu to limit the spread of the disease.
v Even though you may be healthy, you could be asked to stay away from gatherings of people such as sporting events, movies and festivals. During a pandemic flu, these kinds of events could be cancelled because large gatherings of people help spread the flu virus.
Isolation and Quarantine are public Health actions used to contain the spread of a contagious disease. If asked, it will be important to follow Isolation and/or Quarantine instructions.
ISOLATION is for people who are already ill. When someone is isolated, they are separated from people who are healthy. Having the sick person isolated (separated from others) can help to slow or stop the spread of disease. People who are isolated can be cared for in their homes, in hospitals, or in other healthcare facilities. Isolation is usually voluntary, but local, state and federal government have the power to require the isolation of sick people to protect the public.
QUARANTINE is for people who have been exposed to the disease but are not sick. When someone is placed in quarantine, they are also separated from others. Even though the person is not sick at the moment, they were exposed to the disease and may still become infectious and then spread the disease to others. Quarantine can help to slow or stop this from happening. States generally have the power to enforce quarantines within their borders.
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AT HOME
IF YOU OR A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER BECOMES ILL DURING A PANDEMIC FLU AND ARE BEING CARED FOR AT HOME, FOLLOW THSE INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF DISEASE IN THE HOME.
ISOLATE THE ILL PERSON WITHIN YOUR HOME.
* The person who is ill should not leave the house unless they are being taken to a medical appointment. The sick person will have to stay home for two weeks after their symptoms begin, even if they are feeling better. Do not have visitors while the person is sick.
* Designate a room(s) only for the ill person(s) so they are separated from other household members. The room(s) should have a door that can be closed
* The ill person should wear a protective mask when anyone is in the same room or car. People in the room or car with the ill person should also wear a protective mask. Disposable gloves should be used when cleaning or disinfecting any room or area where the sick person has been.
WASH HANDS WITH SOAP OR USE ALCOHOL-BASED HAND RUBS.
* Everyone in the household – and it is important to remind children – should wash their hands with soap between contacts with others, before preparing food, and before eating.
* Wash hands after touching tissues or surfaces soiled with saliva or nose drainage.
KEEP THE HOUSEHOLD ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
*On a daily basis, clean surfaces and commonly shared items like microwaves, refrigerator handles, phones, remote controls, doorknobs and handles, toilet seats and handles, faucets, light switches and toys. Use a labeled household disinfectant or chlorine bleach mixture (see below).
* Store brand chlorine bleach can be used as a disinfectant by mixing ¼ cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water.
COVER NOSES AND MOUTHS WHEN SNEEZING OR COUGHING.
*Remind children and others to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or to sneeze or cough into their sleeves. Put used tissues in a wastebasket, and then wash hands with soap or use an alcohol-based rub.
*Even when a person is wearing a mask, they should cough or sneeze into their sleeve.
WATCH ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS FOR SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.
*Contact your healthcare provider if a fever or other symptoms such as chills, cough, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches develop.
MAKE SURE SUPPLIES ARE ON HAND.
*Keep supplies of masks, gloves, soap, tissue, paper towels and cleaning supplies on hand.
*Make sure all sinks and restrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels.
*Make sure that tissues are available in all bedrooms and common areas like living, dining, family, and computer rooms.
Seasonal Flu VS Pandemic Flu
There are some key differences in how seasonal flu happens and how a pandemic flu happens.
SEASONAL FLU:
* Usually follows a predictable pattern, typically every year in the winter. There is usually some protection built up in a person from having the flu before.
* Healthy adults are not usually at risk for any serious complications.
*The medical community can usually meet public and patient needs.
* Vaccines are developed before the flu season, based on known virus strains.
*Supplies of antiviral drugs are usually available.
*Average number of deaths in the US is about 36,000 a year.
*Regular flu symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain.
* A small impact on the community with slick people staying home from work and school.
*Small impact on US and world economy.
Pandemic Flu
*Doesn’t happen often – only three times in the 20th century. The last time was 1968. Since this new pandemic flu hasn’t been seen before, there is no or little immunity.
* Healthy people may be at risk for serious complications.
*The medical community will be overwhelmed.
* Vaccine developed early may not be effective. Once an effective vaccine is developed, it may not be available for several months.
* May not have any effective antiviral drugs or the supply may be limited.
* The number of deaths would be much higher, worldwide it could be millions.
*Symptoms would be more serious and there would be more medical complications.
* Big impact on the community. There could be travel restrictions, school closings, limited business hours or closings, and cancellation of public gatherings.
*Could have a big impact on US and world economy.
YOUR PANDEMIC FLU EMERGENCY KIT
As many as 1 in 4 people could get sick during a pandemic, with many of them seriously ill. Services and supplies we count on everyday may not be available. Every individual and family could be on their own, without care, for quite a while. This makes being prepared even more important.
Because everyday life may be different during a pandemic flu and services could be disrupted, make sure you have these items in your emergency preparedness kit.
- Two weeks worth of food for you and your family. This should be food that does not need refrigeration (canned meats and fish, beans, soups, fruits, dried goods like flour, salt, and sugar, etc).
- Water stored in sealed, unbreakable containers. If water service is disrupted, plan on one gallon for each person for each day, for two weeks.
- Two weeks worth of prescription medicines.
- Two weeks worth of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for each person in the house for fever and pain. A two-week supply of cough medicine.
- Rehydration Solution, for example Pedialyte for kids, and Gatorade for adults and teens. Please see “Rehydration Solution” recipe for adults and teens. For children, especially infants and toddlers, a store-bought solution is strongly recommended.
- Cell phone and charger.
- Supply of face masks and plastic gloves. These will help protect you, especially if you are taking care of family members who are sick with the disease.
- Disinfectants and chlorine bleach.
REHYDRATION SOLUTION FOR TEENS AND ADULTS:
* 4 cups of clean water * 2 Tablespoons of sugar * ½ teaspoon salt
Mix all the ingredients until sugar disappears. You can drink the solution at room temperature. Please note: do not boil the solution because that will reduce the solution’s helpfulness.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Monterey County Office of Emergency Services…….831-796-1900
Monterey County Health Dept.........831-755-4500/647-7650
CalTrans………..1-800-427-7623
Public Information Records..........831-796-1908 (Espanol.....831-796-1907)
Please view your City Government website about your Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at http://www.monterey.org/fire/cert/.
GETTING INFORMATION
Local radio and television stations, as well as a number of web sites, will provide information during a pandemic flu. In some instances, specific emergency instructions will be broadcast by:
KZSC….FM 88.1 KUSP….FM 88.9 KAZU….FM 90.3 KRXA….AM 540
KSCO….AM 1080 KION….AM 1460 KTOM....92.7
Where to Find Emergency Medical Care
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Natividad Medical Center
23625 Holman Highway 68 1441 Constitution Blvd.
Monterey, Ca 93940 831-624-5311 Salinas, Ca 93901 831-755-4111
www.chomp.org www.natividad.com
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital George L. Mee Memorial Hospital
450 East Romie Lane 300 Canal Street
Salinas, Ca 93901 831-757-4333 King City, Ca 93930 831-385-6000
www.svmh.com www.meememorial.com
Other Website Resources
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
U.S. Government: www.pandemicflu.gov
Local County: http://cns.miis.edu/flu_watch/CalPanFlu.org