Pandemics: Three Keys to Pandemic Preparation

David Scott – October, 2008

A global bird flu pandemic remains a clear danger. Scientists continue to warn that a severe pandemic can happen at any time and that no community will be left unaffected should the pandemic be caused by a particularly virulent strain of flu.

There are steps that we can prepare to take as families and individuals that will lessen the chance that we will become sick or die in such a situation. These might best be summarized as the need to prepare to: Isolate Yourself, Protect Yourself, and Treat Yourself.

Prepare to Isolate Yourself: Once a pandemic begins, the best way to avoid being infected is to isolate yourself from places and other people that might be infected. This may mean preparing to stay at home and away from others for up to 8 weeks at a time. A severe pandemic may come in two to three waves over more than a year. This means that multiple periods of isolation may be necessary. In a severe pandemic, public officials are expected to order widespread quarantines (so it may be illegal to leave your home except in a medical emergency). Preparing to isolate yourself will require you to store adequate food and other basic goods (possibly even water should your regular supply become contaminated) for up to 8 weeks of isolation.

Prepare to Protect Yourself: Should you have to go into public places during a pandemic situation, it will be critical to protect yourself from infectious germs. In such a situation it will not be unusual for people to wear face masks, vinyl gloves, eye shields, and other protective clothing. Many facilities (such as hospitals, businesses, etc) will require such protection of anyone who wishes to enter. Protecting yourself with such basic protective supplies may keep you from getting the flu and from spreading it to others.

Prepare to Treat Yourself: Experts agree that a severe pandemic will cause local hospitals and other medical facilities to quickly fill to levels well beyond their capacities. Most facilities will reach their peak capacity in a matter of days. Because there will not be adequate capacity to treat all who may fall ill, you may have to treat yourself or members of your family at home. In this case, it will be important to be prepared with basic over-the-counter treatments for various common flu symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. These symptoms should be expected to be much more severe and complications more serious than during a normal flu season.
Once a pandemic begins anywhere in the world, you can expect that protective supplies, medicines, and even food will quickly disappear from store shelves and suppliers’ warehouses. The time to prepare to isolate, protect, and treat yourself is before a pandemic is evident. There will not be adequate stockpiles of key goods for everyone. So don’t wait to prepare until a pandemic has already started.

Resources:

www.pandemicflu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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 cdcinfo@cdc.gov.