World Health Organization Raises Pandemic Alert

Click here for the full article from MSNBC.

• What is pandemic flu? Influenza viruses cause infections of the respiratory tract (breathing tubes and lungs). A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A pandemic flu occurs when a new flu virus emerges in humans. This new human flu virus then begins to cause serious illness and the new flu virus spreads easily from person to person worldwide.
• What is the difference between pandemic flu and seasonal flu? Every year, there are seasonal flu viruses that are spread from person-to-person and most people have some natural resistance against those viruses. A pandemic flu is a new flu virus that the human population has never been infected with before. People would have little or no natural resistance to such a virus.
• How would a pandemic flu affect communities and businesses? Because most people would have little or no natural resistance against a new pandemic flu virus, many people could become sick and would not be able to go to work or school. Many people would also stay at home to care for sick family members. Schools and businesses might close to try to prevent disease spread. Large group gatherings might be canceled. Public transportation might be limited. These are examples of challenges that local communities, schools, civic organizations, and businesses will have to work together on a plan for response.
• What can be done to protect people from a pandemic flu outbreak? In the event of a pandemic, or any other disease outbreak situation, certain public health measures may be important to help contain or limit the spread of infection as effectively as possible. The following actions could include:
  
  1. Isolating sick people in their homes, at hospitals or other facilities,
  2. Identifying and quarantining exposed people,
  3. Closing schools and workplaces as needed,
  4. Canceling public events,
  5. Restricting travel,
  6. Treating sick and exposed people with vaccines or antiviral medication (if available)

In addition, you should protect yourself on a daily basis by:

• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your upper arm or sleeve, click here for more information,
• Washing your hands with soap and water frequently,
• Using antibacterial hand sanitizer and wipes to disinfect your hands and common surfaces,
• Stay home if you are sick so you can recover and do not infect other people.

To access the Federal Pandemic Flu Checklists and additional information regarding pandemic flu, please visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ or www.cdc.gov/swineflu