PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
How to Prepare Against the Pandemic Flu

Pandemic Influenza General Information

For Families:

1. Store a two-week supply of water and food. If a pandemic occurs you may not be able to get to a store or nearby stores may be out of supplies. It is important for you to have extra supplies on hand.
2. Make sure you have nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand. Some examples are: pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
3. Make sure medical supplies such as blood pressure monitoring and dialysis equipment are working properly.
4. For extended stay at home keep these items on hand: food, manual can opener, soap and water, or alcohol based hand wash, thermometer, flashlight, portable radio, batteries, garbage bags, tissues, and toilet paper.
5. The foods and non-perishable items to store are canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, cracker, nuts, protein and fruit bars, canned juices, water, and dry cereals. This will make your stay at home more comfortable.
6. Get involved with your community by volunteering to prepare to help protect against the pandemic flu.
7. To limit the spread of germs and future infections, please wash hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes.

For more information on the checklist, emergency contacts form, and health information sheets please click here (http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html).

For Travelers:

1. Be sure you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations, and see your doctor or health-care provider, ideally 4���6 weeks before travel, to get any additional vaccination medications or information you may need.
2. Assemble a travel health kit containing a basic first aid kit, a thermometer and alcohol-based hand gel for hand hygiene.
3. Check your health insurance plan or get additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.
4. Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel to educate yourself and others who may be traveling with you about any disease risks and CDC health recommendations for international travel in areas you plan to visit.
5. While traveling avoid contact with live or dead poultry.
6. Avoid contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by poultry secretions or feces.
7. All foods from poultry should be cooked thoroughly; the cooking temperature for poultry meat should be 74��C (165��F).
8. If you become sick with symptoms such as a fever accompanied by cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing or if you develop any illness that requires prompt medical attention, a U.S. consular officer can assist you in locating medical services and informing your family or friends.
9. When you return, monitor your health for 10 days. If you become ill within those 10 days please contact a health-care provider.

For more information about international travel and travel to countries exposed to H5N1virus please click here (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentAvianFluAsia.aspx)

For the community:

1. Plan for the impact of a pandemic on your organization.
2. Communicate with and educate your staff, members, and persons in the communities.
3. Plan for the impact of a pandemic on your staff, members, and the communities.
4. Set up policies to follow during a pandemic.
5. Allocate resources to protect your staff, members, and persons in the communities that you serve during a pandemic
6. Coordinate with external organizations and help your community.

For more information on what to do in your community please click here (http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/faithcomchecklist.html)