• Multimedia
• Blog
• Subscribe
• What's New
• Contact Us
• Archive

• Topic
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L

  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • XYZ

  
  Select the list of topics to display.
• Country
  • A-B
  • C-E
  • F-K
  • L-O
  • P-S
  • T-Z
  • Regions

  Please choose a country or other area, or a Region.
• Publication Type
• Speaker
  • A-C
  • D-K
  • L-R
  • S-Z
• Date
  • • Most Recent
    • Past 7 days
    • Past 90 days

Emerging Infectious Diseases/Pandemic Flu - Response Plan for Dealing with a Pandemic Flu Incident

After notification of a suspected infectious disease incident, the following steps and actions should be initiated to reduce risk of further infection/pandemic. It must be noted that different steps will be taken at different stages of a pandemic, e.g. if the infection is detected in a different continent, in the host country, in the local community, or in the school.  See Pandemic Response Matrix.

 

As alert levels dictate:

 

          Convene the Crisis Response Team and review the incident report.

 

          If warranted, initiate appropriate steps from the school's crisis response plan.

 

          Contact the American Embassy RSO and follow the guidelines established in the

   FAH Health Manual in regard to responses to infectious disease epidemics. (Embassies
   and consulates should have copies of this manual).

 

          Contact point people within the community, local public health agencies and U.S.

            Embassy/Consulate recommended hospitals, and locate infected areas of community.

 

          Determine the need for temporary or long-term school closure.

 

          Set up screening system and procedures.

 

          If facility stays open, implement infection prevention policies (handwashing, etc.) and

            disinfection teams.  Hand hygiene has frequently been cited as the single most important

            practice to reduce the transmission of infectious agents.

                * If hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with respiratory secretions, wash

                        hands with soap (either non-antimicrobial or antimicrobial) and water.

                * In the absence of visible soiling of hands, approved alcohol-based products

                        for hand disinfection are preferred over antimicrobial or plain soap and

                        water because of their superior microbiocidal activity, reduced drying of

                        the skin, and convenience.

 

          Set up alternative transport resources, classrooms or studying/teaching strategies as

            needed.

 

          Consult HHS website about thorough cleaning of all air transfer systems in the building.

 

          Anticipate further information and instructions from the locality, the RSO, or the

            Crisis Response Team.

 

          In case of school closure, students and staff should be informed not to return to the

            school until the school appointed spokesperson announces the safety of returning.