Preparing for a Flu Pandemic

H1N1 influenza—initially called Swine flu—emerged almost a century ago. It caused the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic which spread in deadly waves through Asia, Europe, and North America killing between 50-100 million people. Since then several other deadly pandemics have been caused by different viruses. These past experiences have taught us a great deal about how to prepare for a pandemic and prevent it from spreading.

When H1N1 flu cases were first diagnosed in Mexico earlier this year, it didn’t take long before they appeared in other countries as well. In response to this scare, HHD began working with the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization to develop three critical resources to help communities around the world prepare for—and hopefully ward off—a serious influenza pandemic.

“While this current pandemic is mild, it may not stay like this,” explains EDC’s Carmen Aldinger. “So we need to educate people about the H1N1 influenza virus and mobilize communities so that they are prepared if an outbreak occurs locally.”

Aldinger and her partners are developing an online course for community leaders, a manual for schools, and an interactive CD-ROM for teenagers.

“EDC’s Health and Human Development division typically addresses chronic health issues like suicide and substance abuse, not pandemics,” says Aldinger. “Yet, because of our role as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center to Promote Health through Schools and Communities, and our expertise developing interactive materials that educate a worldwide audience, these projects are a natural fit for us.”

The online course, created for community leaders in the America's, will assist them with pandemic planning. The dynamic web-based format provides essential information about H1N1 2009, and pandemics in general, along with guidance on prevention, communication, and response strategies. The course is geared for decision-makers in schools, health care settings, workplaces, municipalities, and faith-based or community organizations. Five toolkits targeting each one of these settings accompany the course, addressing specific questions along with fact sheets, checklists, and sample communication material appropriate for each setting.

Aldinger and her team have also developed a manual for school leaders across the globe. Schools are a fertile ground for viruses, which can spread person to person through little drops from a cough or sneeze. This manual outlines ten steps necessary for pandemic preparation, response, and evaluation within schools. It is part of a set; there are two other manuals, one for workplaces and the other for municipalities.

The third resource, an interactive CD-Rom, teaches high school students about pandemics. It begins with animated characters—Kelvin and Lisa—discovering that some friends are sick with the H1N1 virus. Through a comic style text and interactive games, students learn how to prevent the virus from spreading. The CD is customized for teenagers in Africa, yet it can be adapted to other parts of the world.

Preparing for a pandemic can help save lives. These resources will soon be available to a global audience through the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization.