Emergency Preparedness

1. Emergency Preparedness Your Health is in Your Hands Created By: Patty Todd SUNY Canton

2. Why Be Prepared? We are always at risk for unexpected disruption in our world such as: • Natural disasters like weather emergencies and power outages • Terrorism and Bioterrorism like smallpox and anthrax • Diseases like Pandemic Flu

3. Pandemics Unlike other disasters that may be confined to a specific area and be of limited duration, a pandemic is unique because of its global impact and long duration. Avian Flu (Bird Flu) has recently emerged as a potential pandemic threat to the world. Here is just a quick overview of pandemic flu.

4. Acute, febrile respiratory illness affecting nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs Epidemics caused by influenza viruses A and B(Type C uncommon in people; no epidemics) Occurs worldwide, causing considerable morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) each year Symptoms appear rapidly What is Influenza?

5. Influenza Symptoms • Fever, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches/pain, headache, lack of energy, possibly runny nose • Fever and body aches for 3-5 days • Cough and lack of energy - 2 weeks • Symptoms similar to other upper respiratory diseases such as adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, legionellosis, etc.

6. What is an Influenza Pandemic ? • A global influenza outbreak • Caused by a brand new (novel) flu virus • Most severe occur with changes in both surface proteins • Viruses can be isolated at any time of year • Because it is a new virus, few or no people would be immune • Many people would get sick in every part of the world • Asia is the source of many outbreaks because swine, birds and humans live under the same roof, providing opportunity for viral mixing

7. Credit: US National Museum of Health and Medicine Influenza Pandemics 20th Century 1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu” 1968: “Hong Kong Flu” A(H1N1) A(H2N2) A(H3N2) 20-40 million deaths 675,000 US deaths 1-4 million deaths 70,000 US deaths 1-4 million deaths 34,000 US deaths

8. If a Pandemic Happens: What to expect… • At the peak of a moderate pandemic influenza outbreak (i.e. 35% attack rate, 6 week duration), New York State (excluding New York City) can expect *: • 14,916 influenza-related hospital admissions per week • 3,728 influenza-related deaths per week • 2,609 deaths in the hospital • Influenza patients will most likely utilize: • 63% of hospital bed capacity • 125% of intensive care capacity • 65% of hospital ventilator capacity. * Source: NYSDOH

9. Who Needs to be Prepared? Being prepared for pandemic flu and other emergencies is everyone's business including: • Federal, State and Local governments • Businesses • Community agencies • Individuals and families

10. What Can You DO?Your Health is in Your Hands.. • Stay Healthy • Be Prepared • Get informed

11. STAY HEALTHY

12. Your Health is in Your Hands.. • Vaccination and antivirals will not be available or will be limited at the start of a pandemic • We must prepare for that by preventing the spread of pandemic flu through basic health strategies

13. Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene are effective strategies to stop the spread of germs. We should make good hygiene a habit now.

14. Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control • Stay at least three feet from people who are coughing or sneezing. • Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels, pens, cell phones or other personal items • Stay at home when you are sick. Keep your children home from school or daycare when they are sick

15. Stay Healthy - Hand Hygiene • Wash Hands Frequently • Soap and hot water • Minimum of 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice) • Alcohol based hand rubs Learn how to do it right: http://www.uhn.ca/patient/general/handwashing.asp VIDEO LINK

16. Stay Healthy – Cover Your Cough Many illnesses like influenza are spread by sneezing or coughing. Start now and get into health habits that reduce the spread of germs. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. Throw out the tissue and wash your hands. • If you don’t have a tissue, don’t use your hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm so you won’t get germs on your hands and spread them to others.

17. Stay Healthy - What About Masks? • Recommended for: • Health care workers with direct patient contact • Those at high risk for complications of influenza • Symptomatic persons • Contacts of ill persons

18. More About Masks.. • Benefit of wearing masks by well persons in public settings has not been established • Persons may choose to wear a mask as part of an individual protection strategy that includes respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene, and social distancing. • If you wear a mask, keep your hands away from your face! • Clean your hands each time you touch your mask!

19. Health is in Your Hands… • If you go to the doctor’s office or emergency department when you are sick, ask for a mask. • Keep immunizations up to date including an annual flu shot.

20. Stay Healthy - Work or School Infection Control Strategies • Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene • Stay away if ill • Encourage self-reporting of illness that develops • Active screening for illness in staff/students

21. To plan for a pandemic Store a supply of food and water Have non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand Get involved in your community Start now to limit the spread of germs and prevent infection Hand hygiene Respiratory hygiene Stay home if sick Parents need to model behavior! Family Preparedness Checklist Create your individual /family plan utilizing the HHS/CDC guidelines at: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html

22. BE PREPARED

23. Be Prepared…. The New York State Department of Health is encouraging New Yorkers to have at least a two-week supply of essential household items on hand. This is important not just in case of pandemic flu but to be prepared for any number of emergencies that can and do occur regularly—for instance, weather emergencies and extended power outages

24. Individual and Family Preparedness is Crucial! • We might have to take care of ourselves and those around us • Would you be ready?

25. Be Prepared…. Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home: • Food and non-perishables • Items of comfort • Items for personal comfort • Cash • Pets- don’t forget your pet’s food and medicine • Phone - a standard “wired” phone Cordless phones will not operate when the power is out. .

26. Be Prepared…. Medical, Health & Emergency Supplies • Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment • Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash • Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen • Thermometer/bandages and gauze pads/adhesive tape • Anti-diarrhea medication • Vitamins • Scissors, tweezers, and safety pins • Cleansing agent/soap • Flashlight and batteries • Disposable gloves • Portable radio • Manual can opener • Garbage bags • Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, feminine products

27. Be Prepared…. Create an Individual/Family Health Information and Emergency Health Information Sheet so vital health information is readily available. To download and print a copy of a Health Information sheet click here: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/familyhealthinfo.html

28. GET INFORMED

29. Bird FluFrequently Asked Question • http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/questions_and_answers_2.htm

30. Get Informed • Get informed/Stay informed – on the web Health and Human Services: http://www.pandemicflu.gov • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm • Learn more about emergency preparedness: http://www.redcross.org • On campus call Patty Todd, Health Services, 7333 or email toddpa@canton.edu

31. Test Your Preparedness Take the test {link to test}

32. T FEmergency preparedness is the responsibility of government agencies only • T F Pandemics can cause greater disasters because they affect large areas around the world. • T F Avian Flu (Bird Flu) has the potential to become a pandemic flu • T F There is nothing you can do to prepare for a disaster • T F It is best to cover your nose and mouth with your hand when you cough/sneeze

33. T F Washing your hands can greatly reduces your risk of illness • T F If you are coughing or sneezing stay at least one foot away from people • T F Canned fruits, vegetables and soups are items to have on the shelf in case of an extended emergency • T F Cordless phones are adequate in emergency situations if there is a power failure • T F The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good source for pandemic flu information