Red Cross gives advice on flu

This is a very helpful video to help you understand what to do to prepare for flu pandemics.


Pandemic Flu, Are You Prepared?

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 —

As the world continues to monitor the swine flu (H1N1 flu outbreak) situation, you may hear references to “pandemic flu”. Stories in the media are constant as health officials around the globe are watching whether the current flu outbreak evolves into a pandemic.

What is pandemic flu and what does it really mean?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and humans have little or no immunity toward it. The virus begins to cause serious illness which spreads easily from person to person around the world.

While this video contains references to “bird flu,” the steps it urges the public to take also apply to swine flu (H1N1).

Reports of swine flu outbreaks are growing. Caused by an influenza virus of swine origin, the number of cases continues to develop in the United States and internationally. Whether the situation reaches pandemic status or not, it reminds us that pandemic flu is a reality and we must prepare for it.

The American Red Cross offers a short video to help individuals understand a pandemic flu and how to be prepared. It covers a range of topics from explaining how the flu spreads to offering prevention strategies and tips on developing a family preparedness plan by getting a preparedness kit, making a plan and being informed.

Help others to be prepared, pass the video along to family members and friends.

More information is available on the Red Cross Web site. Up-to-the-minute updates on the swine flu can be found at the CDC Web site. People seeking information on human swine flu should visit the CDC Web site or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.