Transcript Diana Tatili

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).
…continued
• 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 School
Ask 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
Checklist [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