Epidemics/Pandemics

So what’s the difference between a flu “bug” circulating around your school or office and a flu epidemic? Epidemics exceed what is expected. Many people are expected to get the flu each year but if flu cases skyrocket to an unpredicted level, it’s considered an epidemic. A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease that occurs when a new virus appears in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person throughout the world. The H5N1 or bird flu virus is a likely candidate, but it is not a pandemic virus yet. Currently, there is no pandemic. The best thing you can do to prepare for the possibility of an epidemic or pandemic is to stay alert and informed. You can also visit the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information.

Preparing for an Epidemic:

• Make sure your Emergency Supply Kit is ready.
• Educate yourself about types of epidemics and how they may affect you.
• Follow directions from officials about sheltering-in-place or evacuating.
• Practice healthy habits that may protect you and others later:
  wash your hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay
  home from work or school if you are sick.