Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new strain of influenza virus begins to circulate to which humans have little or no natural resistance.  The disease can spread easily from person-to-person and may quickly affect people around both the country and the world.  At the present time, a pandemic strain is not in widespread circulation; however, pandemic strains have appeared periodically throughout history. Three noteworthy flu pandemics took place in the past century (in 1918, 1957, and 1968).

In a typical flu season, between 5% and 20% of people fall ill and an average of 36,000 Americans (most over age 65) die. Seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to prevent illness and death.  Pandemic flu viruses may cause illness in 20 to 40% of the population and cause more severe illness and deaths than ordinary seasonal flu strains. A pandemic virus vaccine may take months to produce after a pandemic starts. For these reasons, there are important steps families, communities and employers should take to limit the impact of a future pandemic flu virus on our health and our economy.

• PandemicFlu.gov: Official U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information site. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• PandemicFlu.gov (En Espanol): Acceso integrado a la información sobre la gripe pandémica y aviar del gobierno de los EE.UU. Administrado por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos.
• Tennessee's State and Local Planning and Response Activities: from PandemicFlu.gov

Avian influenza strains are quite common in waterfowl (such as ducks) and also can infect poultry or other birds. Most avian influenza viruses do not cause human illness and often cause only mild symptoms in birds.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is different from most avian flu strains because the more severe strains, or highly pathogenic varieties, can be deadly in birds and have caused severe illness and death in humans in rare instances. It has not been detected in North or South America. This strain is being closely monitored by the scientific community in wild and domestic birds.  Countries affected by H5N1 outbreaks are taking steps to control such outbreaks and stop its spread. The U.S. government does not allow birds or bird products to be imported from affected areas.

• AvianFlu.gov: Official U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information site. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Avian Influenza (Bird flu) homepage
• Avian Influenza: Resources for Health Professionals from the CDC
• World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza homepage: Current information on avian influenza around the world
• Bird flu and Agriculture in Tennessee: Information about state activities from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Resources for Individuals and Families

As with tornados and other disasters, there are steps every family can take to better prepare themselves for a pandemic. The links below provide guidance from the federal government for individuals and families preparing to respond to an influenza pandemic. Advanced planning for caring of children and vulnerable loved ones can keep families safer and healthier during a pandemic and will help to minimize the disruption of normal community activities and healthcare services.

• Individual and Family Planning Resources from PandemicFlu.gov
• Ready.gov: General disaster preparedness advice from the Department of Homeland Security that includes guidance for older, disabled, and special needs individuals.
  
  

Resources for Schools

• Federal Pandemic Planning Resources for Schools: from PandemicFlu.gov
• CDC Pandemic Mitigation Guidance for Schools: an appendix to the CDC Interim Guidance for Community Mitigation of Pandemic Influenza, February 2007
• Guidelines for Pandemic Planning from the American College Health Association, July 2006
• Pandemic Flu Preparedness from the Tennessee Department of Education Office of School Safety and Learning Support

Resources for Local Government Agencies

• State and Local Planning Resources fromPandemicFlu.gov
• Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation: (html) from CDC, February 2007 (pdf file)
• Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication for Pandemic Influenza: from PandemicFlu.gov

Resources for Local Businesses and Community Organizations

• Workplace Planning Resources from PandemicFlu.gov
• Community Planning Resources from PandemicFlu.gov
• Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation (html) from CDC February 2007. (pdf file)
• Critical infrastructure guidance Guide for critical infrastructure and key resources from the Department of Homeland Security, September 2006 (pdf file)
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for a Pandemic (2007): from the Federal Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2007

Resources for Health Care Professionals

• Healthcare Planning Resources from PandemicFlu.gov
• Pandemic Influenza Information for Health Professionals from the CDC
• Hospital Planning Section of Tennessee Department of Health Pandemic Influenza Plan, July 2006

Resources for Veterinarians

• Planning for Pandemic Influenza, Avian or Otherwise from the University Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
• "Influenza: The Virus in Humans and Animals" from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Resources for Law Enforcement

• Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Security Chapter from the Federal Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, May 2006
• Preparing the Justice System for a Pandemic Influenza and Other Public Health Emergencies from the Bureau of Justice Assistance

Pandemic Flu Federal Guidance

• PandemicFlu.gov: federal planning information
• CDC: Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States, February 2007

Pandemic Flu Response Plans

The state Department of Health Pandemic Influenza Response Plan contains the policy framework necessary for a consistent response to pandemic influenza across the state.

• Tennessee Department of Health Pandemic Influenza Response Plan

Regional Pandemic Influenza Operational Response Plans
The operational details necessary for carrying out response activities at the local level are contained in plans prepared by regional and metropolitan health departments in collaboration with community partners. Local and state plans undergo routine revision in response to testing and evaluation. All regional health departments have revised plans effective March 7, 2007; contact your local or regional health department for additional information. Current versions are posted or linked below:

• East Tennessee Regional Health Office Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• South Central Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Southeast Tennessee Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• West Tennessee Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Upper Cumberland Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Northeast Tennessee Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Mid-Cumberland Region Pandemic Influenza Response Plan

Metropolitan Health Departments

• Knox County Health Department Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Hamilton County Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Metro Nashville Davidson County Health Department Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Sullivan County Health Department Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department Pandemic Influenza Response Plan

Pandemic Flu History

• "The 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Nashville" from the Journal of Tennessee Medical Association: by John B. Thomison, MD., April 1978 (pdf file)
• "Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19" by Allen R. Coggins The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, 2002

News and Press Release Archive

• "Tennesseans Urged to Prepare for Disasters During National Public Health Week"
  Nashville, March 29, 2007
• "Tennessee Releases Revised State Pandemic Influenza Plan"
  Nashville, July 6, 2006>
• "State Department of Health receives 'Green' rating for SNS preparedness"
  Nashville, June 16, 2006
• "Top Federal Officials Join Governor Bredesen at Tennessee Pandemic Planning Summit"
  April 10, 2006