LINKS:  

Possible Pandemic Preparedness Web Page

 

Preparing for a Pandemic

Many people are concerned about what they can and should do to prepare for the most recent potential medical emergency threatening the world today. The Avian Flu. Though the time line of this threat to our safety is not known we can and should prepare for it. These preparations consist of being informed of what it is and what you need to do. There are several sites that can be accessed to help you to know what is happening.

The main web site is: www.pandemicflu.gov .

 

NEWS: Georgia Tech researchers are looking to predict the path of a pandemic in order to help reduce it's severity.  Here is a link to thier site. 

 

Current phase of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan

 

BYU-Idaho is prepared by stockpiling a few materials that we normally did not consider for other emergency situations, i.e. N95 masks. We encourage all students, faculty, staff and visitors to this site, to prepare by putting together a 72 or 96 hour kit that can be accessed in the event of any emergency. A student kit need only be the bare essentials and can cost less than $20. A list of what you should have as a minimum can be found here.

 

OSHA: Health Care Workers 

OSHA has recently released it's guidance for the Health care workers in the event that a pandemic does occur.  The complete document can be accessed at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf.

 

Video

BYU-Idaho has also put together a short video to explain more of what a pandemic is and what we are doing and what you can do to prepare. If you would like to view or purchase a copy please contact Eric Harmston at: harmstone@byui.edu.  They are $5 per copy. 

You may view the video on-line, in streaming video, by clicking  here.  

Click here if you would like to order a copy of the video. 

 

Face Mask VS Respirator 

The use of face masks or respirators is still a controversial subject.  Recently the Center for Disease Control issued a statement on this subject.  It can be viewed at: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MasksRespirators/ .

 

Documents

Dr. Dane Dickson, MD, put together a packet of materials to aid in our understanding and preparation. It is titled "Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic". It can be accessed here.

 

District Seven Health Department out of Idaho Falls, Idaho, has put together an informative pamphlet on the subject. It can be accessed here.

 

Provident Living - Pandemic Preparedness Planning

The Church's Pandemic Fact sheets are now LIVE on the Provident Living website!!! Hurray!!  Click here for the link.

 

Environmental Controls 

Pandemicflu.gov has in formation on controlling the flu virus on environmental surfaces in homes and public places.   Click here to read about it.

 

Communicable Disease Policy

Communicable diseases may be a potential health problem for the university community. As with any community, students studying and functioning in close proximity to one another are susceptible to communicable diseases. This Policy is implemented for communicable diseases commonly found in the college population and which can be transmitted by air, object, or through casual contact. To learn more about this policy, go here.

 

The Pandemic of 1918

The Department of Health and Human Services has put together a web page on the Pandemic of 1918.  It contains the facts on the pandemic; the lifestyle of the day; how the states were effected; along with records provided by those who were there.  It is very interesting as well as educational.  To learn more about the Pandemic of 1918, click here.