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Neighborhood Watch

Pandemic AwarenessCommunity Training

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Partners

National Sheriffs’ Association

Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice

Citizen Corps

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Program Goal

To empower communities by providing Neighborhood Watch groups and their

leaders with effective training on Pandemic Influenza

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Module I: Overview

• Awareness

• Potential impact on communities

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“A severe pandemic influenza presents a tremendous challenge as it may affect the lives

of millions of Americans, cause significant numbers of illnesses and fatalities, and substantially disrupt our economic and social stability…Strong partnerships and smart planning will be our best protection

against this threat.”

The Challenge

-Secretary Michael Chertoff,

Department of Homeland Security

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What is a Pandemic influenza?

Pandemic influenza is a global disease outbreak caused by a new influenza virus.

• The virus may spread quickly.

• Many people could be at risk of illness.

• Historically, pandemics have caused widespread harm and death.

Nations with confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza (www.pandemicflu.gov)

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How is a pandemic flu different from a seasonal flu?

• Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that are already in existence among the population, and is treatable by existing vaccines.

• Pandemic influenza could begin with an existing influenza virus that has changed or mutated and then spread from person to person, few of whom would have natural immunity.

• A pandemic could severely affect a broad set of the population, including the young and the elderly.

• A severe pandemic could change daily life for a time.

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Have there been influenza pandemics in the past?

• About 30 influenza pandemics have been recorded.

• There were three influenza pandemics in the last century.

• The most recent influenza pandemic was the Hong Kong Influenza in 1968-69.

• The most serious was the 1918 pandemic, which killed tens of millions of people worldwide, and 675,000 in the United States.

www.pandemicflu.gov; www.cdc.gov

Influenza pandemics have occurred throughout recorded history.

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When might a pandemic occur?

• Influenza viruses are constantly changing.

• Occasionally a new virus emerges that can spread easily among humans.

• It is difficult to predict when the next pandemic will occur, or how severe it will be.

Pandemic influenza will occur again.

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What is the “Bird Flu” that we have been hearing so much about lately?

• The virus is spreading to migratory birds in new regions.

• More than 300 cases of bird-to-human H5N1 Influenza have been documented, with death resulting in more than half the cases, and severe illness in many others.

• It is believed that in a few cases, the virus spread from one person to another.

www.pandemicflu.gov; World Health Organization

Scientists are concerned that the “bird flu” (H5N1 variant of avian influenza) in eastern Asia and other countries could evolve into a virus capable of spreading

by human-to-human transmission.

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How fast could the pandemic flu spread?

• Influenza is a contagious disease of the lungs, and usually spreads by infected people coughing and sneezing.

• Most people will have little or no immunity to pandemic influenza.

• It is estimated that a pandemic virus could kill hundreds of thousands of Americans, and that some 40% of the workforce would be unavailable for duty.

A person can be infected and not realize it.

www.whitehouse.gov; www.pandemicflu.gov

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Impact on Communities

• Flu viruses occur in waves and may last from six to eight weeks each until contained.

• Community centers or other public gathering places must take special actions or may be forced to close.

• Transportation and food delivery may be limited.

• Emergency personnel may not be available for essential operations.

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Possible Effects

Schools and businesses might be closed during a pandemic influenza.

Travel could be limited during a pandemic.

As with other emergencies, pandemic influenza would affect everyday life.

There might be spot shortages of supplies.

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“If a pandemic hits our shores, it will affect almost every sector in society, not just health care, but transportation systems, workplaces,

schools, public safety and more. It will require a coordinated government-wide

response, including Federal, State and local governments, and it will require the private sector

and all of us as individuals to be ready.”

National Impact

- Secretary Mike Leavitt,

Department of Health and Human Services

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Module II: General Community Preparation and Protection

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Protection From the Flu

• Cover coughs and sneezes, and wash their hands frequently.

• Stay away from sick persons as much as possible.

People should take common-sense actions to keep from spreading germs:

If you are sick, you should keep

away from others as much as

possible.

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Shelter-in-place Plan

• Food/Water• Medication• Equipment (including medical equipment)• Supplies• Communications• Electricity/Power

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Shelter-in-place Home Supplies

Keep a supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine on hand at home.

Important supplies include:– Medications and medical equipment– Easy-to-prepare food and bottled water– Pantry staples– Sanitizing agents – Emergency contact information

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Infection Control Policies and Procedures

• Avoid contact with infected or contagious persons.• Develop and implement effective infection control

policies and procedures.• Provide education on good personal hygiene and

infection control.• Provide infection control materials.

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Traveling

• Avoid traveling to infected areas.• Keep personal contact to a minimum

in affected areas.• Keep apprised of local news, announcements,

and warnings.• Remember to wash hands frequently and take

infection control precautions.

Pandemic luggage tag

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Know your Community Plan

Know the exact location of:• Shelters• Hospital/Medical/Triage Centers• Vaccination locations• Food/Water distribution centers

Be aware of: • Evacuation routes• Transportation

options

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Disease Containment and Control Strategies

• Isolation• Quarantine• Social distancing• Closing places of assembly• Limiting or stopping volunteer work• Changes in movement patterns

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Community Information

• Stay informed about pandemic influenza through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov, 1-800-311-3435, or at www.pandemicflu.gov.

• Develop a neighborhood awareness and education campaign. Utilize NW Toolkit flyers and tools.

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Pandemic Module Tools and Uses

• Protecting NW Volunteers Leaflet• Pandemic Planning Flipbook• Neighborhood Needs Assessment Form• Essential Neighborhood Functions Form• Special Needs Checklist• Response Team Roster• Emergency Information Folder Form• Adult and Child Detailed Information Forms• Emergency Responder Alert Magnet• Influenza Planning Checklist Card• Pandemic Protection Strategies Poster• Luggage/backpack Tag• Evacuation Leaflet• Shelter-in-Place Leaflet

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Summary

• Awareness and Impact• Preparation and

Protection Strategies• Tools and Uses

For more information, visit www.pandemicflu.gov

Other Resources:

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenzaavailable online at www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi.pdf

Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenzaavailable online at www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi_implementation.pdf