PANDEMIC FLU

A PLANNING GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs 

when a new flu virus appears that can spread easily from person to 

person. Because people have not been exposed to this new virus 

before, they have little or no immunity to the virus; therefore serious 

illness or death is more likely to result than during seasonal flu.

It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur 

or how severe it will be. In addition, a pandemic may come and go 

in waves, each of which can last months at a time. The effects of a 

pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time. 

The illness rates for both seasonal and pandemic influenza are high 

among children, and schools are likely to be an important contributor

to the spread of influenza in a community. 

Scientific models support school closure as an effective means of 

reducing overall illness rates within communities and suggest that the 

value of this intervention is greatest if school closure occurs early in the 

course of a community outbreak.

What is a Flu Pandemic?

“Educators must be

integrally involved in

state and local efforts 

to plan and prepare for 

a potential pandemic.” 

– Secretary Margaret Spellings,

March 2006

We need to

work together

to plan and prepare 

for a pandemic

response. 

www.pandemicflu.gov

SEPTEMBER 2006

THE MATERIAL ABOUT HEALTH AND MEDICINE IN THIS 

BROCHURE WAS PROVIDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT

OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE CENTERS 

FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION. 
Mild to Moderate 

Pandemic

How does influenza spread?

Human influenza virus is mainly transmitted from person to person when an infected person coughs or 

sneezes. A lesser mode of transmission occurs when a person touches something that has the flu 

viruses on it and then touches his or her mouth or nose. Some individuals who are infected may 

never show symptoms or have mild symptoms, but could still spread the virus to others.

When a pandemic begins, a virus-specific vaccine

may not be available until 4-6 months after identification

of a pandemic virus.

The supply of antiviral drugs will likely be limited throughout the pandemic. Moreover, scientists cannot 

be certain that antiviral drugs will be effective against a pandemic virus. For these reasons, infection

control and social distancing measures will be the keys to limiting transmission, delaying the spread

of the virus, and protecting people. Social distancing is a measure to decrease the frequency of contact 

among people in order to diminish the risk of spread of communicable diseases.

Differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu:

Seasonal Flu Severe Pandemic

THE VIRUS

• Caused by influenza viruses that are

closely related to viruses that have previously 

circulated; most people will have some immunity to it.

• Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and 

muscle pain. 

• Complications such as pneumonia are most 

common in the very young and very old and may 

result in death.

• Vaccine is produced each season to protect people 

from the three influenza strains predicted to be 

most likely to cause illness.

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

• Seasonal flu kills about 36,000 Americans each 

year and hospitalizes more than 200,000 children 

and adults. 

THE VIRUS

• A severe strain causes more severe 

illness, results in greater loss of life, and 

has a greater impact on society.

• During the peak of a severe pandemic, workplace 

absenteeism could reach up to 40% due to people 

being ill themselves or caring for family members.

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

• Schools and day care/child care facilities may be 

closed. 

• Public and social gatherings will be discouraged. 

• The patterns of daily life could be changed for some 

time with basic services and access to supplies 

possibly disrupted.

THE VIRUS

• Caused by a new influenza virus that 

has not previously circulated among people 

and that can be easily spread.

• Because most people will have no immunity to 

the new virus, it will likely cause illness in high 

numbers of people and more severe illness and 

deaths than seasonal influenza. 

• Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, but may 

be more severe and have more frequent serious 

complications.

• Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious 

complications.

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

• May cause a moderate impact on society (e.g., 

some short-term school closings, encouragement 

of people who are sick to stay home).
• Promote hand washing and cough hygiene via 

school-wide campaigns and modeling by school staff.

• Encourage vaccination of staff and students for whom the 

flu vaccine is recommended.

• Persons developing symptoms at school should be sent 

home as soon as possible and instructed by appropriate 

officials not to return until they are well. 

All of the seasonal flu methods 

plus the following:

• Encourage the use of social distancing at the work 

place, at school and in the community.

• Possible school closure for a short amount of time 

(possibly days to a couple of weeks).

• Work with community flu-planning team to assess 

whether any additional measures should be taken.

All of the seasonal and 

mild to moderate flu methods plus:

• Possible extended school closure, which could range from 

weeks to up to 3 months. Presently, the Department of Health 

and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, the Department of Education, and other agencies 

are conducting a comprehensive review of school closure and 

its feasibility and effects in mitigating a severe pandemic. The 

results of this study will be shared in the coming months.

• Promote social distancing of children and teens outside the 

school setting by reducing their social circulation and contacts 

to the greatest extent possible. This could include canceling 

extracurricular activities.

Infection 

control

The primary strategies for preventing 

spread of pandemic influenza:

Persons with flu symptoms should:

• Stay at home;

• Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing;

• Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand 

sanitizers frequently; and

• Try to maintain spatial separation of at least three feet from 

others if possible.

Hand, Cough and Sneeze Hygiene

• When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with 

a tissue or upper arm if a tissue is not available.

• Dispose of used tissues in a 

wastebasket and wash hands after 

coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose.

• Use warm water and soap or alcoholbased hand sanitizers to clean hands.

• Wash hands before eating or 

touching eyes, nose, 

or mouth.

Social distancing

In a pandemic, the risk of getting the flu is greatest when one 

has close contact with an infected person. Social distancing 

measures such as school closure, 

telecommuting or staggered shifts 

for the workforce, and cancellation of 

public gatherings may be effective in 

reducing transmission risks. 

Measures to limit the spread of the flu:

Severe Pandemic:

Mild to Moderate Pandemic:

School

Closure

Social

Distancing

Stay at home

Seasonal Flu:

Promote 

hygiene

Assess 

Measures

Encourage 

vaccination
EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT

PLAN

SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICY

REVIEW PROCESS

SURVEILLANCE

SYSTEM

INCIDENT COMMAND 

SYSTEM

PREVENTION AND

EDUCATION EFFORTS

STAKEHOLDER

COORDINATION

Detailed information on each component along with sample plans can be viewed at www.ed.gov

COMMUNICATION

PLAN

CONTINUITY OF

LEARNING PLAN

PANDEMIC PLAN

Basic Components of Pandemic Planning

• Every district should have an 

Emergency Management Plan.

• The Plan should be flexible to 

encompass all hazards. 

• Every district should develop 

a Pandemic Flu Plan. 

• Plans should address four phases 

of emergency management 

planning: Mitigation and Prevention, 

Preparedness, Response and 

Recovery. For more information: 

www.ed.gov/emergencyplan.

• Plans should be practiced 

on a regular basis. 

• Plans should be developed and 

communicated in an interactive 

manner with stakeholders, including 

parents, faculty, other community 

partners and first responders.

• Plans should be based on 

sound data and information; 

www.pandemicflu.gov should be 

the main resource for pandemic 

planning and information.

• Plans should be continually reviewed 

and updated as new information is 

available. The complete planning 

checklist can be viewed at 

www.pandemic.flu.gov. 
Action Action Owner Date of Completion Next Step

Action Planning Template For more information, go to 

www.pandemicflu.gov