The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health has announced the mass public distribution of 1.6 million handbooks designed to inform the public how to guard against the looming danger of pandemic flu.

This is a very real threat, said State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry. Its not a matter of if a pandemic flu will strike, but a matter of when. Thats why were arming the public now with the knowledge of how to prepare and protect themselves against a pandemic event that could quickly sweep the world.

A pandemic occurs when there is a global outbreak of a new influenza virus. Because it would be a new strain, most people would not have immunity to the virus. The disease would be able to spread rapidly from person to person, causing large numbers of people to become ill. There were three pandemics in the 20th century alone, the most infamous being the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 which killed over 50 million people worldwide.

The new pandemic flu handbooks were shipped on June 18. They contain information about vaccines and antiviral medications, learning how to change routines when it becomes necessary, travel precautions, what preparations are already underway, the importance of hygiene, and general education about pandemic flu.

The fact that a pandemic stems from a new virus is what makes it such a threat, explained Dr. Guidry. A vaccine would not be able to be developed for several months, and even when it is, it would not be available in mass quantities.

The distribution of the pandemic flu handbooks is the latest in a series of efforts by the state to prepare for a pandemic event. Since just last year, state officials have overseen a pandemic flu summit, the development of a pandemic flu plan, nine regional exercises, and one statewide drill with another planned for later this year. Later this month, New Orleans will host the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Workshop.

The need for this kind of preparation and concern is evident in the grim statistics predicted in the impact of a pandemic flu today. In Louisiana alone, as many as 6,000 people could be killed by a rampant new flu virus and up to 22,000 could require hospitalization. The impact would reach every level of society as nearly 25 percent of the workforce is expected to be absent. Schools from kindergarten to college would face closures lasting months.

The implications are very serious, said Dr. Guidry. Thats why we are urging everyone not to discard the handbook with their junk mail when it arrives. You may need to put it aside for awhile, so keep it with your other emergency supplies. You wouldnt throw out your generator just because its not hurricane season After all, the big one could always be just a few months away.

For more information, contact Ken Pastorick or Avis Richard-Griffin with the Office of Public Health at 225-763-3535.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Flu

Comments

I never received a handbook about La's pandemic flu preparedness and since I am a school nurse am wondering when did they go out and in what areas of the state?
Sonja Cardwell on January 15th, 2008

I never recieved a handbook about the pandemic influenza and would like to have one. I am a RN and currently enrolled in the MSN family nurse practitioner. This information would be greatly used to educate the facilities and community.
Thuy Nguyen on June 24th, 2008

I never recieved a handbook about the pandemic influenza and would like to have one. I am a RN and currently enrolled in the MSN family nurse practitioner. This information would be greatly used to educate the facilities and community.
Thuy Nguyen on June 24th, 2008

I never recieved a handbook about the pandemic influenza and would like to have one. I am a RN and currently enrolled in the MSN family nurse practitioner. This information would be greatly used to educate the facilities and community.
Thuy Nguyen on June 24th, 2008

I never recieved a handbook about the pandemic influenza and would like to have one. I am a RN and currently enrolled in the MSN family nurse practitioner. This information would be greatly used to educate the facilities and community.
Thuy Nguyen on June 24th, 2008

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