Planning Resources for Pandemic Influenza

An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when three conditions are met: a new type of influenza virus appears in the human population; it causes serious illness in people; and it spreads easily from person to person. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division have been planning for a potential influenza pandemic for several years. The State Emergency Operations Plan includes a pandemic influenza response plan. This plan is available on the websites of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (http://www.dhec.sc.gov/administration/ophp/pandemic_preparedness.htm) and the Emergency Management Division (www.scemd.org).

In a pandemic, everyone in the state will be impacted in one way or another. Planning for yourself, your family, your business or school is an important step. Below are links to resources on the internet that can help you prepare.

The Department of Health and Human Services hosts the official federal government site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza at www.pandemicflu.gov. This website contains planning checklists for individuals and families; faith-based and community organizations; businesses; schools; health care providers; and state and local governments.

For more information about pandemic influenza planning across the United States, visit the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers at www.astho.org/templates/display_pub.php?pub_id=1383&admin=1.

The website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contains much information on seasonal and pandemic influenza (www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic) and includes a "Pandemic Influenza Toolkit" for health care providers.

The World Health Organization presents information on avian influenza and pandemic influenza preparedness at www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_infleunza/en/index.html. The World Health Organization has published an informative handbook for journalists and media reporters at www.who.int/csr/don/Handbook_infleunza_pandemic_dec05.pdf or request a copy at http://www.who.int/csr/media/mediacontact/en/index.html.

(Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Office of Public Health Preparedness, March 2006)

Pocket Guides:

• Your Guide to Preparing for Pandemic Flu (English)
  
  
• Preparacion para la Influenza Pandemica (Spanish)

Related Videos:

Pan Flu: Prepare. Prevent. Plan Now. (Broadcast program for the general public.)

Pan Flu: Prepare. Prevent. Plan Now. (ITV Teleconference for Schools)

Emergency Health Powers Act in a Public Health Emergency