Pandemic influenza

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Getting ready for a flu pandemic

Have a plan

During a pandemic, you or your family may be so sick that you need to stay at home for several weeks.
Make a plan with family and friends so it includes:

who could help with food and supplies if you and your household are ill.

the telephone numbers of people who live near you, as well as your doctor’s phone number. (Keep this in a place that is easy to see, eg, on the fridge door).

an emergency supplies kit – see the ‘Emergency Survival Items’ list on the inside back cover of the Yellow Pages. Or check the Get Ready Get Thru website and select 'How to get ready'.

Build up your emergency supplies kit

Have a supply of food and drinks to last for at least a week. Choose long-lasting foods in cans and packets, and dried foods.

Paracetamol is good for aches and pains, and for reducing high temperatures. Don’t use anything else for children unless you talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

Masks worn by sick people can help stop the spread of germs. You can buy masks from a pharmacy (or from a hardware store). If there is a pandemic, people will be told how and when to use their masks. A mask can be worn only for a short time, and needs changing when wet from sneezing and coughing.

Have tissues (or toilet paper) and plastic bags for used tissues.

Think about things to do, if you and your family have to stay home for more than a week (eg, books, games and videos).

Flu jabs

Ask your doctor for an influenza vaccination each year.

The usual yearly flu jabs will not protect you against a new pandemic, but they will help stop you getting ill with other influenza viruses. Because these viruses change all the time, you need to get vaccinated every year.

Vaccination is free for people aged 65 years and over, and adults and children with certain long-term (chronic) conditions.

Hygiene – keeping clean

Washing and drying your hands properly is one of the best ways of protecting yourself against the spread of germs.

Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or an alcohol-based rub. Drying hands well is important too.

Wash and dry hands:

Keep your coughs and sneezes covered. Put tissues straight into a covered, lined rubbish bin or a plastic bag.

Try to stay a metre away from sick people to reduce the spread of germs.

If you work from home or run your own business

You need to think about how to keep your business running.

You will find some ideas in the Business Planning Guide at www.med.govt.nz – select from the list ‘Influenza Pandemic Planning Information for Business Continuity’ then select ‘1. Business Continuity Planning Guide’.

You may want to talk to your insurance provider about your cover.

More information on influenza and planning for an influenza pandemic is available on this website or you can call Healthline 0800 611 116

Page last updated: 1 May 2009