The HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan is a
blueprint for pandemic influenza preparation and response. In particular, the
HHS Plan provides guidance to national, state, and local policy makers and
health departments. The goal is for all involved to achieve a state of readiness
and quick response.The HHS Plan is based on the knowledge that once a
pandemic is triggered by the emergence of a novel influenza A virus subtype, it
is a global event and all countries are at risk. The U.S. will work in concert
with the World Health Organization and other international partners on
containment and response activities abroad that also will assist the planning
and monitoring for disease outbreaks in the U.S.
The HHS Plan includes an overview of the threat of pandemic influenza,
a description of the relationship of this document to other Federal plans and an
outline of key roles and responsibilities during a pandemic. In addition, the
HHS Plan specifies needs and opportunities to build robust preparedness for
and response to pandemic influenza. The preparations made for a pandemic today
will have lasting benefits for the future.
Major components of the critical preparedness and ready response actions
include:
Intensifying surveillance and collaborating on containment measures –
both international and domestic;
Stockpiling of antivirals and vaccines and working with industry to
expand capacity for production of these medical countermeasures;
Creating a seamless network of Federal, state and local preparedness,
including increasing health care surge capacity; and
Developing the public education and communications efforts that will be
so critical to keeping the public informed.
Strategies outlined in the HHS plan are based on an understanding of
pandemics and influenza disease, and are guided by several overarching
principles.
provides guidance on monitoring for influenza
viruses and the health impact of influenza.
Laboratory Diagnostics (Supplement 2) provides guidance on the use of
diagnostic tests to detect, characterize, and monitor novel subtypes of
influenza, including avian influenza A (H5N1) and other viruses with pandemic
potential. Occupational health issues for laboratory workers are also covered.
Healthcare Planning (Supplement 3) provides guidance for plans to include
pandemic influenza surveillance, decision-making structures for responding to a
pandemic, hospital communications, education and training, patient triage,
clinical evaluation and admission, facility access, occupational health,
distribution of vaccines and antiviral drugs, surge capacity, and mortuary
issues. Planning for the provision of health care in non-hospital settings is
also addressed.
Infection Control (Supplement 4) provides guidance on principles of
infection control for limiting the spread of pandemic influenza including on the
selection and use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and safe work
practices, cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces, handling of
laboratory specimens and post-mortem care. The guidance also covers infection
control practices related to the management of infectious patients, the
protection of persons at high-risk for severe influenza or its complications,
and issues of occupational health.
Clinical Guidelines (Supplement 5) provides a guide related to clinical
procedures for the initial screening, assessment, and management of patients as
well as an assessment of locally available resources, such as rapid diagnostics,
antiviral drugs and hospital beds.
Vaccine Distribution and Use (Supplement 6) provides guidance on the
elements of a pandemic vaccination program, including planning for vaccine
distribution, vaccination of priority groups, monitoring of adverse events,
tracking of vaccine supply and administration, vaccine coverage and
effectiveness studies, communications, legal preparedness, and training.
Antiviral Drug Distribution and Use (Supplement 7) provides guidance on
the distribution and use of antiviral drugs for treatment and prophylaxis during
an influenza pandemic. This section also covers the use of antiviral drugs in
managing and containing infection with novel strains of influenza, including
avian influenza A (H5N1) and human strains with pandemic potential.
Community Disease Control and Prevention (Supplement 8) provides guidance
on the use of disease containment strategies to prevent or decrease
transmission.
Managing Travel-Related Risks of Disease (Supplement 9) provides guidance
on travel-related containment strategies that can be used during different
phases of an influenza pandemic, ranging from distribution of health alert
notices, to isolation and quarantine of new arrivals, to restriction or
cancellation of nonessential travel.
Public Health Communications (Supplement 10) outlines key influenza
pandemic risk communications concepts and addresses how CDC will provide timely
and accurate information.
Workforce Support: Psychosocial Considerations and Information Needs
(Supplement 11) focuses on psychosocial support services that will help
workers manage emotional stress during an influenza pandemic and resolving
related personal, professional, and family issues.
The Public Health Guidance for State and Local Partners is at:
