| Surgical Masks can help in an influenza pandemic |
A pandemic is an epidemic (an outbreak of an
infectious disease) that spreads across a
large region (example a continent), or even
worldwide.
Click here to see an interesting article from
the Pandemic Flu website regarding Utah's
historical experience with the 1918 flu
pandemic. Other states' historical information
can be found here.
infectious disease) that spreads across a
large region (example a continent), or even
worldwide.
Click here to see an interesting article from
the Pandemic Flu website regarding Utah's
historical experience with the 1918 flu
pandemic. Other states' historical information
can be found here.
| Pandemic |
| Resources |
Here are some resources that are available on
the web in regards to pandemics
the web in regards to pandemics
Recently, there have been some cases of bird
flu (H5N1 virus) showing up in humans. (see
most recent article in Reuters dated
01/19/09). The article reports that two new
human cases of Bird Flu has been reported
over this last weekend of January 18th, 2009.
These two new cases have brought the total to
3 in the last two weeks! Globally, the infection
rates are increasing - See the World Health
Organization's report on Cumulative Number
of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza
A/(H5N1).
In a letter to LDS Church units, the church
expresses concern about the continued
spread of the highly pathogenic avian flu, or
H5N1 virus, among animals in Asia, Africa, the
Middle East, and Europe, which has the
potential to significantly threaten human
health. The main point of concern is the
mutation of the virus that would allow human to
human contact easily. If, and when, such a
mutation occurs, avian influenza may break
out globally. However, there are no reports of
a sustained human to human transmission of
H5N1 or a mutated version, governments and
international health agencies are preparing for
such a possible pandemic.
What can you do?
Certainly, maintaining cleanliness is imperative
to keeping the virus from spreading. These
include hand washing, avoiding contact with
possibly infected poultry or consuming
undercooked poultry or poultry products.
If someone from your household becomes
infected, they should be isolated in a separate
room. If several members become sick, they
need to be isolated in the same room. When
attending those that are infected, you will need
some protective equipment which includes the
following:
Disinfection
Cups, glasses, dishes, all eating utensils,
thermometers, etc., must be sterilized after
use by the ill person. The eating utensils can
be disinfected either by use of a dishwasher or
a dishwater with 1.5 tsp of household bleach
to one gallon of water. Remember that
handling those items while they are still
contaminated will lead to possible infection.
Therefore, wear gloves while handling
potentially contaminated items.
Surfaces in the room of the infected persons
should be cleaned with a solution of bleach
water as noted above or with Lysol® or
Clorox® spray, wipes, or liquid. Pay particular
attention to faucets, doorknobs, telephones,
refrigerator, oven and toilet flush handles.
This should be done whenever there is
contact by an infected person or otherwise 2-3
times daily. Linens and clothing need to be
washed in warm water with detergent and
preferably dried in a dryer. Remember to be
careful in your own personal hygiene. You
may carry infected material on your skin &
clothing which may contaminate other or
yourself. Use a specific garbage bag for
disposing of infected materials.
Isolation
If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay home
and isolated from your household except to
seek medical care. Remain at home for 7-10
days or until you are well and can no longer
spread the infection. Seek medical care if you
have signs of pneumonia or severe ling
infection (difficulty breathing, wheezing, or
persistent fever over 102 degrees F.
Continue on next Column
flu (H5N1 virus) showing up in humans. (see
most recent article in Reuters dated
01/19/09). The article reports that two new
human cases of Bird Flu has been reported
over this last weekend of January 18th, 2009.
These two new cases have brought the total to
3 in the last two weeks! Globally, the infection
rates are increasing - See the World Health
Organization's report on Cumulative Number
of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza
A/(H5N1).
In a letter to LDS Church units, the church
expresses concern about the continued
spread of the highly pathogenic avian flu, or
H5N1 virus, among animals in Asia, Africa, the
Middle East, and Europe, which has the
potential to significantly threaten human
health. The main point of concern is the
mutation of the virus that would allow human to
human contact easily. If, and when, such a
mutation occurs, avian influenza may break
out globally. However, there are no reports of
a sustained human to human transmission of
H5N1 or a mutated version, governments and
international health agencies are preparing for
such a possible pandemic.
What can you do?
Certainly, maintaining cleanliness is imperative
to keeping the virus from spreading. These
include hand washing, avoiding contact with
possibly infected poultry or consuming
undercooked poultry or poultry products.
If someone from your household becomes
infected, they should be isolated in a separate
room. If several members become sick, they
need to be isolated in the same room. When
attending those that are infected, you will need
some protective equipment which includes the
following:
- Disposable vinyl, nitrile, or latex medical
gloves. - Protective clothing (long sleeved
coveralls with waterproof apron) or a
disposable surgical gown. - Disposable shoe covers or those that
can be disinfected. - Safety goggles, glasses, or face shield.
- Wear respiratory protection such as a
surgical mask, preferably N95 rated. - You may find most if not all of these
items in a Biohazard Personal
Protection Kit. - These items must be removed in the
proper sequence to avoid contaminating
yourself.
Disinfection
Cups, glasses, dishes, all eating utensils,
thermometers, etc., must be sterilized after
use by the ill person. The eating utensils can
be disinfected either by use of a dishwasher or
a dishwater with 1.5 tsp of household bleach
to one gallon of water. Remember that
handling those items while they are still
contaminated will lead to possible infection.
Therefore, wear gloves while handling
potentially contaminated items.
Surfaces in the room of the infected persons
should be cleaned with a solution of bleach
water as noted above or with Lysol® or
Clorox® spray, wipes, or liquid. Pay particular
attention to faucets, doorknobs, telephones,
refrigerator, oven and toilet flush handles.
This should be done whenever there is
contact by an infected person or otherwise 2-3
times daily. Linens and clothing need to be
washed in warm water with detergent and
preferably dried in a dryer. Remember to be
careful in your own personal hygiene. You
may carry infected material on your skin &
clothing which may contaminate other or
yourself. Use a specific garbage bag for
disposing of infected materials.
Isolation
If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay home
and isolated from your household except to
seek medical care. Remain at home for 7-10
days or until you are well and can no longer
spread the infection. Seek medical care if you
have signs of pneumonia or severe ling
infection (difficulty breathing, wheezing, or
persistent fever over 102 degrees F.
Continue on next Column
| Influenza Pandemic |
World Health Organization - All you ever
wanted to know about pandemics but were
afraid to ask!
wanted to know about pandemics but were
afraid to ask!
PandemicFlu.gov - This essential site is great
when considering how to be prepared for a
Pandemic outbreak of the flu and other
diseases.
when considering how to be prepared for a
Pandemic outbreak of the flu and other
diseases.
By: Staff
Last Reviewed: 05/01/09
Last Reviewed: 05/01/09
| Video Loading ... One Moment Please |
| Dr. Gregory Poland On Bird Flu |
Being Able to Work May Be Difficult or
Impossible.
Social Disruption May Be Widespread.
Limit your exposure to public places which may
include a grocery trip only once a week rather
than every few days. Or, if you have one, use
your 3 month supply of food storage to avoid
exposure at grocery stores altogether. Also,
when you can, store at least 3 months worth of
water or have a back up plan to purify water.
If many people get ill, its possible that utility
services, such as water treatment, may be
unmanned and improperly treated for viruses
(click here for more information on possible
water treatment issues). Keep a supply of
prescription medications, non-prescription
drugs, and other health supplies on hand
including pain relievers, stomach remedies,
cough and cold meds, fluids with electrolytes,
vitamins, rubbing alcohol, thermometers,
garbage bags, and cleaning supplies. Keep
your car filled with gas and have cash on hand
in case banks are closed or services limited.
Use the over-the-counter medications as
directed on the container.
Maintain social distancing and stay at least 6
feet away from others at all times particularly
in public. Avoid handshaking and other forms
of contact. Use proper cough and sneeze
etiquette even if you are not ill. Be sure to
teach your children the proper hand washing
and cough/sneeze behaviors as well. If you
are ill , you need to be isolated from those who
are healthy even in your own household.
Impossible.
- Ask your employer if you can work at
home during a Pandemic. - Ask your employer about how business
will continue during a pandemic. - Plan ahead for the possible reduction or
loss of income if you are unable to work
or your place of employment is closed. - Check with your employer about sick
leave policies.
Social Disruption May Be Widespread.
- Plan for the possibility that usual
services may be disrupted. These could
include services provided by hospitals
and other health care facilities, banks,
stores, restaurants, government offices,
and post offices. - Prepare backup plans in case public
gatherings, such as volunteer meetings
and worship services, are canceled. - Consider how to care for people with
special needs in case the services they
rely on are not available. - Schools May Be Closed. Learn how
schools in your area will deal with a
Pandemic. Consider how you will deal
with Childcare - Public Transportation. If you use it,
consider how you will get to work if its no
longer available.
Limit your exposure to public places which may
include a grocery trip only once a week rather
than every few days. Or, if you have one, use
your 3 month supply of food storage to avoid
exposure at grocery stores altogether. Also,
when you can, store at least 3 months worth of
water or have a back up plan to purify water.
If many people get ill, its possible that utility
services, such as water treatment, may be
unmanned and improperly treated for viruses
(click here for more information on possible
water treatment issues). Keep a supply of
prescription medications, non-prescription
drugs, and other health supplies on hand
including pain relievers, stomach remedies,
cough and cold meds, fluids with electrolytes,
vitamins, rubbing alcohol, thermometers,
garbage bags, and cleaning supplies. Keep
your car filled with gas and have cash on hand
in case banks are closed or services limited.
Use the over-the-counter medications as
directed on the container.
Maintain social distancing and stay at least 6
feet away from others at all times particularly
in public. Avoid handshaking and other forms
of contact. Use proper cough and sneeze
etiquette even if you are not ill. Be sure to
teach your children the proper hand washing
and cough/sneeze behaviors as well. If you
are ill , you need to be isolated from those who
are healthy even in your own household.
| "Helping everyone prepare for the unexpected" |
| LDSReady Site Search |
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Be Ready Utah - Utah's Pandemic Flu Website
If there are other cases of avian flue in your
neighborhood, it would be safest to keep you
children in your yard or home away from
others who may be infected. Plan in advance
what will need to be done or who y ou can call
upon in you are either alone, ill oand
incapacitated, or if the adults in the household
become ill and incapaciated. Talk with family
members and loved ones about how they
would be cared for if they got sick, or what will
be needed to care for them in your home.
Schools and day care facilities will likely close.
Plan your child care in advance and how you
might function by working at home for
example, or how college-age family members
can assist in younger care during the time
thier colleges and universities are closed,
Having multiple younger children from several
households in one home for day care is less
optimial due to the high risk of spreading the
disease.
neighborhood, it would be safest to keep you
children in your yard or home away from
others who may be infected. Plan in advance
what will need to be done or who y ou can call
upon in you are either alone, ill oand
incapacitated, or if the adults in the household
become ill and incapaciated. Talk with family
members and loved ones about how they
would be cared for if they got sick, or what will
be needed to care for them in your home.
Schools and day care facilities will likely close.
Plan your child care in advance and how you
might function by working at home for
example, or how college-age family members
can assist in younger care during the time
thier colleges and universities are closed,
Having multiple younger children from several
households in one home for day care is less
optimial due to the high risk of spreading the
disease.
Pandemic Planning/ PPE - This PDF Document
was published by the church in 2007 and has
some excellent guidelines regarding Pandemic
Planning—Personal Protective Equipment.
was published by the church in 2007 and has
some excellent guidelines regarding Pandemic
Planning—Personal Protective Equipment.
Bird Flu and Pandemic Preparedness - This
PDF Document was by author Melonie Turley
and published in March 2009. There is some
excellent information regarding the H5N1 Bird
Flu Virus, as well as other Flu viruses such as
H1N1.
PDF Document was by author Melonie Turley
and published in March 2009. There is some
excellent information regarding the H5N1 Bird
Flu Virus, as well as other Flu viruses such as
H1N1.
BYU-Idaho Video/ Pandemic Preparedness -
This Windows Media video reviews BYU-Idaho's
plans to deal with a Pandemic, especially the
H5N1 Bird Flu Virus. This is especially
informative.
This Windows Media video reviews BYU-Idaho's
plans to deal with a Pandemic, especially the
H5N1 Bird Flu Virus. This is especially
informative.
Pan Flu Idaho - Idaho's Pandemic Flu Website
