Public Health Emergency

What is "Pandemic Flu"?

• A "pandemic" is when a disease is spread from person to person throughout the world.
• A "pandemic flu" occurs when a new influenza virus (which we call "flu") spreads easily and very quickly, making a lot of people throughout the world sick.
• The Swine flu virus (H1N1) caused more young people and pregnant women to get sick in the 2009 to 2010 flu season than is usual during flu season.
• Some doctors and scientists are worried that a pandemic flu will make a lot of people very sick. They are also concerned that someday the Avian flu (also called "bird flu") could become "contagious" (spread from person to person) and become a pandemic.

What you can do to help?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, we can get vaccinations (shots or medicine) to protect us from some diseases like measles, tetanus, and some kinds of flu. But sometimes a new flu spreads so quickly that doctors and scientists do not have enough time to develop a vaccine to keep us from getting sick. When that happens, it is important to stay away from people who may have the flu, and if you are sick, it is important to make sure you do not spread flu germs to someone else.

• Stay Healthy
• Protect Others Too!
• For Parents — Be Prepared

Medical, Health & Emergency Supply Items

To have on hand if you have to stay at home for some time: