2. 2 This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 2007-GT-T7-K002 administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Grants and Training. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
4. 4 Housekeeping Turn off mobile phones Coat closet Restrooms Food and refreshments Session length
5. 5 CitizenReady Program Designed to help the American public prepare Provides basic life-saving and support information for public health emergencies Helps build physical and mental health resilience in the community
7. 7 Program Objectives The difference between seasonal and pandemic influenza The role of the public health system during an influenza pandemic What actions you and your community can take to prepare for a pandemic The importance of developing and exercising personal, workplace, school and community emergency plans What public health directives may be issued in a pandemic and why they should be followed What actions you can take to limit the spread of influenza
9. 9 What Is Seasonal Influenza? Seasonal Influenza Caused by a virus; commonly called “flu” Symptoms: fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches, congestion 200,000 hospitalized and 36,000 deaths annually Virus is spread through respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing) Most Vulnerable (elderly, pregnant, children, chronic disease
25. 17 By taking action Delay Reduce 1. Delay the spread of the virus and peak of the outbreak: 2. Reduce number of cases at peak 3. Control virus and health impacts Pandemic outbreak:No intervention Daily Cases Pandemic outbreak: With intervention Control Days since First Case
26. 18 Community Preparedness Enforce social distancing E.g., close/dismiss schools, cancel sports events Establish a community hotline Set up local alternatives to conventional hospital care E.g., Flu clinics Encourage employers to ensure that exposed and sick workers stay home
27. 19 Hospitals will be Overwhelmed Hospitals will be overwhelmed with flu patients Going to hospital could make you sick And you could contribute to spread of infection Alternative Sites: Primary care clinics, Designated flu clinics, Point of Distribution sites
30. 22 Community Response Part A Assume assigned roles in the community Head of household Businessperson Children’s sports coach Divide into groups Determine actions your group will take Share your decisions with the group
31. 23 Community Response Part B In your group, discuss: Who will care for the children? How can families plan ahead for school dismissal? What steps should employers take to plan for absenteeism? How will children be entertained and taught at home? How will needed school services be replaced? Are there concerns about unsupervised children?
33. 25 This Approach Works Excess mortality over 1913-1917 baseline in Philadelphia and St. Louis 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Philadelphia St. Louis Death Rate/100,000 Population 9-Nov 16-Nov 23-Nov 30-Nov 7-Dec 14-Dec 21-Dec 28-Dec 21-Sep 28-Sep 5-Oct 12-Oct 19-Oct 26-Oct 2-Nov Date Source: Hatchett, Mecher, & Lipsitch. Public health interventions and epidemic intensity during the 1918 influenza pandemic. PNAS Early Edition. April 6, 2007
35. 27 Taking Action As Individuals Get Seasonal Flu Vaccine Contact community hotline if: You think you are sick A family member is sick Wash hands well Practice cough etiquette Identify vulnerable individuals in your community Establish social networking for local updates (facebooks, twitters) Get trustworthy information and follow directions from public heath authorities Stay home if you are sick
38. 30 Become CitizenReady Take early, quick action as: Individuals Communities Taking action: Makes you feel more in control Can dramatically decrease transmission of the virus Allows you to be helpful to others All community groups need to work together Community citizens need to be ready and willing to act Learn about local agencies and organizations involved in pandemic preparedness