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Pandemic Influenza
For more pandemic influenza information go to
PanFluSouthIdaho.org
What has South Central District Health done to prepare for a possible pandemic flu outbreak?
South Central District Health has the essential building blocks in place to protect the public from an influenza pandemic.
We continue to strengthen our preparedness capacity by working with other state and local emergency preparedness agencies to test our plans.
Preparation for pandemic influenza is one of our highest priorities.
It is important to remember that everyone has a responsibility for preparedness.
In the past year, with funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
- We have conducted a tabletop exercise with county and state leaders to learn who the players are in an emergency and where there are areas in which we need to improve planning efforts.
- The state of Idaho has written a Pandemic Flu Response Plan that addresses the actions the state has taken to prepare for a pandemic, as well as the actions we’ll take to respond to one. Public health officials worldwide have been preparing for a pandemic flu for several years. Although a pandemic flu would present many challenges for our citizens and for our health-care system, the goal of the plan is to minimize the impacts of pandemic disease on Idahoans.
- We are in the process of writing our pandemic flu plan to work in tandem with the State of Idaho’s pandemic plan.
- We are also exercising current emergency plans which train staff on how to set up and conduct public vaccination clinics for large numbers of people.
What is the difference between avian flu and pandemic flu?
Seasonal flu, avian flu, and pandemic flu are not the same.
- Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from 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.
Will avian flu be the next pandemic?
No one knows for sure how serious a worldwide avian flu outbreak would be -- or even if avian flu will be the next pandemic.
But scientists and government officials believe it could pose a serious threat to our health, our economy, and our way of life.
Pandemic diseases have occurred periodically throughout human history. Since we know that, we have an advantage: We can plan for the next pandemic, whenever it might be.
In the years since past pandemics, public health officials have vastly improved our ability to detect and control infectious diseases, and we’ve become more vigilant. We’ll know when a new and serious strain of flu emerges, and we’ll be able to take precautions to reduce its impacts.
It’s something that we all need to take seriously and plan for.
What should the public be doing now to prepare for a possible flu pandemic?
The general public can do something now to prepare themselves and their families for a possible pandemic flu. They can:
- Practice good flu hygiene now so that it becomes “second nature” if there is a pandemic flu outbreak:
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home when you are sick
- Do all you can to improve your health. The healthier you are, the more resistant your body is to disease. So it’s a better time than ever to quit smoking, improve your eating habits, exercise regularly, and get regular medical checkups and recommended immunizations.
- Make a personal preparedness plan and kit: visit http://www.redcross.org.
- Stay informed. These web sites provide regularly updated information about bird flu and pandemic flu:
What is the current status of avian flu?
- Currently, there is a pandemic among birds that has killed hundreds of millions of birds and more than 100 humans who had close contact with infected birds. The virus is spreading across Asia, Russia, Europe, and Africa, but has not come to the United States yet. It is predicted, however, that we may see avian flu in U.S. poultry as the summer bird migration brings fowl from Asia and Russia down the west coast flyway from Alaska to Mexico.
- When the H5N1 virus is detected in the United States, it will NOT signal the start of a human pandemic.
- We do not know if the H5N1 virus will ever mutate into a form that is easily spread from person-to-person. However, if it does, it could cause widespread illness and death. So, we must prepare.
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PanFluSouthIdaho.org
Public Health Response Team Members
Pandemic Influenza
State of Idaho Resources
National Resources
Idaho Guide for Health Data Suggestive of Terrorism
Emergency Response Fact Sheets
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