A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in very short time.

It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. Wherever and whenever a pandemic starts, everyone around the world is at risk. Countries might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it.

Health professionals are concerned that the continued spread of a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 virus across eastern Asia and other countries represents a significant threat to human health. The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because:

• It is especially virulent
• It is being spread by migratory birds
• It can be transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans, and
• Like other influenza viruses, it continues to evolve.

Since 2003, a growing number of human H5N1 cases have been reported in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. More than half of the people infected with the H5N1 virus have died. Most of these cases are all believed to have been caused by exposure to infected poultry. There has been no sustained human-to-human transmission of the disease, but the concern is that H5N1 will evolve into a virus capable of human-to-human transmission.

What you can do to stay healthy.Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit by maintaining personal hygiene and protective measures such as:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water (sing happy birthday), especially after coughing or sneezing.  Use alcohol sanitizers when soap and water is not available.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in a waste basket.   Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
• Stay at home if you are sick.

• Maintain personal space of 3 feet to minimize exposure to influenza virus from those who may be ill.

It is always a good idea to practice good health habits.

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Be sure to eat a variety of foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products.
• Also include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, and beans.
• Drink lots of water and go easy on salt, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fat.
• Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.

RESOURCES

Flu.gov’s Viewer’s Guide/Q&A  to ABC TV Movie: Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America

Individual Planning

Overview:  As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. It may take time to find the answers to these challenges. Below are some situations that could be caused by a severe pandemic and possible ways to address them. A checklist and fill-in sheets for family health information and emergency contact information have been prepared to help guide your planning and preparation.

Planning for Your Business

Overview:  In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, having a contingency plan is essential.  HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed guidelines, including a checklist, to assist businesses in planning for a pandemic outbreak as well as for other comparable catastrophes.