Pandemic Planning
In keeping with our mission to share our knowledge and resources with the community, MCC is providing information regarding pandemic preparedness planning. The following information is intended to serve as a resource for the community.
What you need to know
What is it and how can we protect ourselves and others?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. Pandemic flu (influenza) is a global outbreak of flu that involves a new flu virus and causes serious human illness. The flu strain that causes the pandemic will spread quickly and easily from person to person because people are unlikely to have immunity against it. Avian (bird) flu is a virus that occurs naturally among birds. It rarely causes illness in humans. Only recently has the H5HN1 bird flu strain changed so that it is able to cause illness and death in humans. Scientists believe bird flu may be the cause of the next pandemic flu.
Will there be a vaccine to prevent pandemic flu?
Flu vaccines are developed when a flu virus is identified and it takes four to six months to produce, so a vaccine generally wont be available at the start of the pandemic.
Are there any drugs to treat pandemic flu?
Antiviral drugs may be available to lessen the severity and duration of symptoms due to pandemic flu.
Why are we concerned?
Most people will have no immunity to a pandemic virus, so illness and death rates are expected to be higher than during seasonal outbreaks of influenza.
What is being done?
- To reduce human exposure, poultry with avian flu are destroyed immediately. Surveillance systems to detect avian flu are being enhanced. The state of Illinois is able to rapidly test possible avian flu cases.
- Many governments have begun stockpiling antiviral medicines.
- McHenry County Department of Health has plans in place to detect, monitor and treat people who may become ill during a pandemic flu event.
How can I protect myself and my family against catching the flu?
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid large crowds whenever possible.
- DO NOT go to work when you are ill.
- DO NOT send an ill child to school or day care.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth at all times.
- Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
For more information, please visit:
- www.pandemicflu.gov The official U.S. government web site on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Information for individuals and family planning kits are available on this site.
- www.who.it The World Health Organization
- www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- www.idph.state.il.us The Illinois Department of Public Health
- www.co.mchenry.il.us/common/CountyDpt/health McHenry County Department of Health
3/19/07