The current Public Health Emergency concern is the Pandemic Influenza (flu) which is a worldwide outbreak of a new flu virus for which there is little or no immunity (protection)
    Every winter approximately 36,000 Americans die from complications of the seasonal flu, an additional 200,000 are hospitalized. A pandemic flu would be far more deadly, there are estimates that near half a million Americans can die and near two million will be hospitalized. This would cost our economy $70-160 Billion in lost productivity and would impact nearly every community.

    The following simple precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of disease:

• Wash your hands often. When soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• An effective vaccination against the pandemic flu-when it is available will be the best way to prevent the disease.
• To fight the annual flu, members of high-risk groups should get a flu shot. Even those who are not in the high risk categories should get a flu shot if enough vaccine is available, especially healthcare workers.
• Stay home when you’re sick or have flu symptoms.

	Checklists are available for more information.