Pandemic Information

pandemicIn the event of a pandemic there are actions we can take to help stop the spread of the virus. Supervisors, school administrators and school nurses should:

1. be watchful for flu-like symptoms;

2. review local pandemic influenza response plans;

3. update all emergency phone numbers and POCs; and

4. coordinate with the host military command and military medical authorities.

Those with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work, school and social gatherings. This can help prevent the spread of infection. Current recommendations are to maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and a person displaying symptoms of flu. Consult your health care provider if flu-like symptoms develop, especially for those personnel at a higher risk for complications of the flu.

All DoDEA staff and students are strongly encouraged to participate in the "Clean Hands" and "Cover Your Cough" campaign established by the CDC. This program is a preventive measure to help prevent the spread of the virus. Posters are available that can be printed for distribution around the work area and your schools. (See links below).

The CDC and the WHO take the lead in monitoring and advising the community on pandemics. Current information can be found on their websites at: and

An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or "emerges" in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or "epidemics" of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that already circulate among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by subtypes that have never circulated among people, or by subtypes that have not circulated among people for a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.

An influenza pandemic has the potential to cause more death and illness than any other public health threat. If a pandemic influenza virus with similar virulence to the 1918 strain emerged today, in the absence of intervention, it is estimated that 1.9 million Americans could die and almost 10 million could be hospitalized over the course of the pandemic, which may evolve over a year or more.

  • Pandemic Flu: An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when three conditions are met: a new influenza A virus appears or "emerges" in the human population, it causes serious illness in people, and it spreads easily from person to person worldwide.
  • Seasonal Flu: Seasonal influenza (often called "the flu") is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and occurs every year. It can cause mild to severe illness. The best protection against seasonal flu is vaccination.

In the century past, we have experienced influenza pandemics three times: as recently as 1968 and 1957 and what has been called the Great Influenza in 1918, a pandemic that killed 40-50 million people worldwide. Although the timing, nature and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted with any certainty, preparedness planning is imperative to lessen the impact of a pandemic.

Influenza (Flu) Viruses
  • Swine Flu
    This guidance recommends that students and staff with influenza-like illness remain home until 24 hours after resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
  • Avian Flu

Pandemic Resources:

Pandemic Documents

Director's Pandemic Memo Sept 09
Director's Pandemic Memo for all DoDEA staff from the year of 2011.
Pandemic Influenza Plan Guidelines - August 2009
Pandemic Influenza Plan Guidelines for DoDEA Schools has been designed as a fluid document. These guidelines will be constantly updated to incorporate the most recent information to assist schools.


Pandemic Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Avian influenza virus: This virus usually refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections can occur in humans.
Los Angeles Times (September 23, 2011)
Study examines origins of Spanish flu outbreak
Towards A Safer World (TASW)
Beyond Pandemics: A Whole-Of-Society Approach to Disaster Preparedness
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Pandemics have occurred intermittently over centuries. Although the timing cannot be predicted, history and science suggest that we will face one or more pandemics in this century.