Pandemic Influenza

American Red Cross

American Red Cross

• The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country and across the world—in emergencies.

• Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to the Red Cross.

• Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.

Historical Context

• As a humanitarian organization we help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. In the past, the Red Cross has responded to other public health emergencies, including tuberculosis, influenza and polio epidemics in the 1940s and 1950s. We were also on the forefront of public education to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic that began in the 1980s.

• The Red Cross mission “expands” as we stay abreast of new threats and it expands to respond to meet the current threat that an influenza pandemic could pose to public health.

Key Areas of Support

The Red Cross role for a potential influenza pandemic will focus on two key areas — 1. Dissemination of public education and

information. 2. Provision of service delivery; like feeding

and bulk distribution support and assistance to homebound individuals. Planning efforts are underway to determine this role under conditions of a pandemic influenza.

ACTIVITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES THE RED CROSS WILL NOT SUPPORT

• The Red Cross will not — – Establish congregate care facilities when local

authorities advise against it or where such facilities would enhance the likelihood of disease transmission.

– Assume responsibility for the provision of medical care in medical facilities, special needs shelters, temporary infirmaries or overflow facilities for hospitals.

– Purchase vaccines or medical supplies for use by public authorities.

– Violate worker safety guidelines published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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• Replace lost wages or assume responsibilities for needs arising from economic disruption.

• Assume responsibility for patient tracking. Formal patient tracking is typically conducted by medical care providers. During Welfare Information activities, the Red Cross is a consumer, not a producer, of such information.

• Conduct death notifications. • Provide transportation to medical facilities

Preparing for a Pandemic

What you can do today.

What to Expect

• Unlike other disasters, a pandemic flu is an infectious disease that does not damage homes, utilities, buildings and other structures.

• Daily life will be disrupted, daycares, grocery stores, banks, transit systems because of the people that operate them.

• A flu pandemic is similar to other disasters because it will disrupt your daily routines.

• You will be asked to take personal action to reduce the spread of the flu pandemic virus.

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families

• Plan for a pandemic: – Store supplies– Periodically check your regular prescription drugs – 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. – Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency

response. – Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza

pandemic.

• Limit the spread of germs and prevent infection: – Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and

model the correct behavior. – Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be

sure to model that behavior. – Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they

are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.• Know the alternatives to mass transit should this be curtailed.• Be prepared to care for ill family members.

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html

Stock Up Now

• Reduce your need to go out during a local flu pandemic by stocking extra food, water and supplies at home.

• If you do get sick and have extra supplies on hand, you will help reduce the spread of pandemic flu by staying home.

Practice Healthy Hygiene

• Clean hands often– Wash with soap and water or– Clean with hand sanitizer

• Cover mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and clean hands afterwards

• Keep hands away from face

• Stay away from people who are sick

Prepare at Home

• Plan now to care for yourself or loved ones who get the flu.

• Determine what supplies you will need to provide care at home.

• Plan how you will care for someone in your household who becomes sick.

Home Care for a Pandemic Influenza

• Recognize the symptoms of influenza• If someone in your family becomes ill:

– Keep personal items separate.– Disinfect door knobs, switches, toys and other

surfaces.– Wear disposable gloves when caring for ill family

members.– One person should be the care-giver; consider

wearing a face mask.

• Refer to Red Cross pamphlet, “Home Care for Pandemic Flu” for more information

Prepare at Your Workplace

Employers should create plans:• for employees who get sick during a

pandemic and need to stay home.• to keep the business functioning if key staff

can’t come to work. • for sick leave, benefits and wages when

employees are asked to remain at home.

Inform your employees about this plans in advance

Prepare at SchoolAsk about plans:• at your child’s school or day care regarding an influenza

pandemic. • to encourage parents to keep children who are sick to stay

home to reduce the spread of the flu during a local pandemic.

Checklists and Tools• Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Check

list [PDF - 155KB)]

• School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF - 151KB]

• Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist [PDF - 170KB)]

• Emergency Planning: Pandemic (U.S. Department of Education)

Stay Informed!

Resources to use:

www.redcross.org

State Pandemic Influenza Plans

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Avian Flu

World Health Organization (WHO): Avian Influenza

OSHA: Guidance for Protecting Workers Against Avian Flu

Thank you