Pandemic Influenza
There are many things that people can do to help keep healthy. One important way is to keep informed about potential threats and then plan how to respond. The goal of the Pandemic Flu Team is to develop a plan and to educate the community on how to best protect the health of all individuals in the Columbus area during a flu pandemic.
What Is Pandemic Flu?
For a flu pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met:
1. An new influenza virus appears or “emerges” in the human population
2. The new virus must cause serious illness in people
3. The new virus is spread easily from person to person worldwide
Prevention
Everyday actions that can be taken to stay healthy during a flu pandemic are not that different from those actions taken during a normal flu season:
Stay informed.
Cover your cough by using the sleeve of your garment. You may also cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective (with at least 60% alcohol).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Don't shake hands
Avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Stay home if you are sick and contact a health-care provider.
Anyone who is sick, especially those who may be experiencing a fever of more than 100°F, coughing, muscle aches, severe headache and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea, please stay home from school or work and contact a health-care provider. This is critical to stopping the spread of illness.
Planning and Coordination
Columbus Public Health coordinates and plans pandemic flu response efforts with community partners including hospitals, police, fire, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and businesses. For more information on community planning and preparedness, contact Laurie Dietsch at (614) 645-5139 or ladietsch@columbus.gov.
Education
Pandemic flu educational resources and informational presentations are available to the community. Please contact Beth Ransopher at (614) 645-0308 or eransopher@columbus.gov for materials or presentations for your business, agency or organization.
Response
In the event of an influenza pandemic, Columbus Public Health will participate in a number of monitoring and response activities, including:
Investigate and track the spread of infection.
Implement community containment measures to prevent the spread of infection, including isolation, quarantine and social distancing.
Dispense vaccine or treatment measures to the community if they become available.
Coordinate efforts with other response agencies.
How you can help
Interested in assisting in the public health response to an influenza pandemic? Volunteer opportunities for medical, public health, technology, mental health, animal care and other professionals can be found through the Franklin County and Columbus Medical Reserve Corps.
Seasonal flu vaccine
Anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu or spreading it to others should get a seasonal flu shot every year. However, it is specifically recommended for:
Children 6 months to 18 years
Adults 50 years and above
Anyone with chronic or long term health problems
Women who plan to be pregnant during the flu season
All health care workers