Protection and Prevention

Photo of a duck

  1. What is the government doing now to prepare for an outbreak?

    Federal, State, and local health agencies are making plans to prepare for, respond to, and contain an outbreak of pandemic flu. Activities to prepare for a pandemic flu include:

    • supporting Federal, State, and local health agencies’ efforts to prepare for and respond to a pandemic flu outbreak;
    • working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other nations to help detect and contain outbreaks;
    • developing a national stockpile of antiviral drugs to help treat and control the spread of disease;
    • supporting the manufacture and testing of possible vaccines, including finding more reliable and quicker ways to make large quantities of vaccines;
    • working with other Federal agencies to prepare and to encourage communities, businesses, and organizations to plan for a pandemic influenza outbreak; and
    • providing current accurate information on pandemic flu issues at PandemicFlu.gov, the official US Government Web site on this topic.

  2. What strategies will help protect Americans?

    In the event of a pandemic, certain public health measures may be important to help contain or limit the spread of infection as effectively as possible. The following actions could include:

    • treating sick and exposed people with antivirals;
    • isolating sick people in hospitals, homes, or other facilities;
    • identifying and quarantining exposed people;
    • closing schools and workplaces as needed;
    • canceling public events; and
    • restricting travel.

    In addition, people should protect themselves by:

    • washing hands frequently with soap and water;
    • staying away from people who are sick; and
    • staying home if sick.

  3. What is the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) doing to prepare for pandemic flu?

    In the event of pandemic flu, Colorado and every other state in the country will respond with some new procedures, as well as many standard, time-tested disease control methods.

    • The CDPHE and local health agencies across the state monitor influenza in our communities by working with doctors, hospitals, laboratories and nursing homes to identify unusual numbers of people with flu-like illnesses.
    • The state laboratory checks samples from patients with flu-like illnesses to help identify which flu viruses are circulating in our state.
    • The CDPHE and your local public health agencies work together to plan for public health emergencies. Staff practice the procedures in the plans to better prepare for disease outbreaks.

  4. How can I prepare myself and my family for pandemic flu?

    • Be ready for any emergency. When you go to the store, buy one more can of food or bottle of water at a time. This will help you gradually build your family emergency kit without spending a lot of money at once.
    • Don't forget to plan for your pets.
    • Get your emergency kit checklist from READYColorado.

  5. What measures can I use to prevent getting the flu and other respiratory infections?

    • Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes, preferably with a disposable tissue. Wash your hands immediately if you cough or sneeze into them. If you are sick with coughs and sneezes, stay home to avoid infecting other people.
    • Avoid people who are coughing and sneezing. Wash you hands after coming into contact with people who are coughing and sneezing.
    • Disinfect your computer keyboards, phones, and other office equipment on a regular basis.
    • Cook food safely. Learn to use a meat thermometer. Cook chicken, turkey, and duck to at least 165 degrees. This will also prevent other infections related to poorly cooked poultry.
    • Wash hands and tools after preparing food.

  6. What other sources of information can I access?

    The following internet sites have up-to-date and useful information regarding bird flu and pandemic flu: