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Pandemic Flu Preparedness Task Force
Infectious disease experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), believe the risk for a global pandemic is at its highest potential since the last pandemic in 1968. According to the Department of Health and Human Services:
An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.
(Source: "What would be the Impact of a Pandemic?" Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.pandemicflu.gov/)
Adequate planning and preparation for a pandemic can lessen its impact.
Colleges and universities throughout Ohio have been asked to develop their own plans for this possible emergency. A task force under the direction of Dr. Gloria Stewart, Director of the Physician Assistant Studies Program, has conferred with local and state medical experts and institutions to prepare the campus.
Flu Prevention
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Vaccination |
Good Health Habits |
According to the CDC, "The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each fall."
Options consist of a traditional needle or a nasal-spray vaccine, which is available for healthy persons aged 5-49 who are not pregnant.
"[E]ither people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications," including:
- Children aged 6–59 months,
- People 50 years of age and older, and
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
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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.
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.
Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
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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| (Source: "Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) Vaccine" CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm) |
(Source: "Preventing the Flu" CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm) |
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Each year, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population is typically affected by the seasonal flu.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services distinguishes between three types of flu:
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
(Source: "Flu Terms Defined," Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.pandemicflu.gov/)
Additional Resources
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