Pandemic Influenza Planning

Program Overview

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak that occurs when a new strain of influenza virus emerges to which people have little or no immunity. Because people have no immunity, the virus is easily passed from person-to-person and travels quickly around the world, causing illness and death.

Pandemics have occured four times in the past 100 years. Most recently, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on June 11, 2009 in response to the widespread 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus.

Everyone is at risk for getting sick during a pandemic. Isolation, quarantine and social distancing measures might delay the spread of the virus, but they will likely not be able to completely stop it. That is why local, state and federal governments have been working for years on plans to slow down a pandemic.

You are an important part of this plan. Take steps today to protect your family against pandemic influenza. Use the resources on this page to learn all you can about pandemic influenza. Create a plan for your family. Pack an emergency supplies kit, and know where to get credible, local information.