Pandemic Influenza

The City of Columbia is committed to providing public health services that prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy behaviors, prevent injuries and illness, assure the quality and accessibility of health services, monitor the health of the population, provide social services and promote and protect civil rights.

Pandemic Influenza

What is Pandemic Influenza?

The global health community is closely monitoring the occurrence of the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus that is prevalent throughout Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. It primarily affects birds but there is significant concern that the virus could change and spread from person to person, producing a worldwide influenza epidemic.

What are Pandemics?

Pandemics happen when a new influenza virus emerges to which people have little or no immunity. Although no one knows for certain when the next pandemic will occur, or what new influenza virus will cause a pandemic, the impact on our community could be enormous.

What would the impact be?

An influenza pandemic could circle the globe over the course of 2-3 months and cause millions of people to become ill. Impacts of an influenza pandemic could seriously strain healthcare systems and affect the ability of government and the private sector to provide essential services and needs.

In a severe pandemic, businesses will experience a dramatic reduction in their workforce as 1:4 employees become ill. Other workers will remain home to care for sick family members or will be absent due to child cares issue if schools are directed to close.

What is Columbia doing?

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is currently an active participant on the Missouri Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee. Locally, we have established an advisory committee with representatives from government, health care, businesses, education and social services. This local committee is working on assuring an effective local response in protecting your community and family from the Pandemic Influenza. The Columbia/Boone County Pandemic Influenza Plan , which was completed on August 15, 2007, is available for you to read.

What can you do?

You are making the first steps towards protecting your family, by developing an understanding on Pandemic Influenza. Additionally, we recommend for you to have an established Family Plan and an Emergency Kit.

You Emergency Kit Should Include:
Bottled water	Extra supply of prescription medicine
Canned or dried food	Clean clothes and sturdy shoes
Battery-powered radio	Extra credit card and cash
Flashlight	Sturdy trash bags
Extra batteries	Formula and baby food
First-aid kit

You can find additional information, by visiting our external website directory or contacting us.

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