Last Thursday evening, students and faculty discussed preparedness at DU in the event of a pandemic influenza with Charles Smedly, who works for the Denver Center for Public Health Preparedness.

The last pandemic influenza, a disease occurring worldwide and across international borders, was the Hong Kong Flu in 1968.The Hong Kong Flu infected 1-4 million people worldwide and there were 34,000 deaths in the United States.

Today the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1, commonly known as the “Bird Flu,” is a threat to become a pandemic influenza. Avian Influenza is currently placed in a pandemic alert period, but has not yet been classified as a pandemic because there is no human-to-human spread. As of now the virus can only be spread through birds.

The U.S. is taking action by setting up communication networks such as the Health Alert Network. Communication is key in a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Programs such as the Strategic National Stockpile of vaccines delivers necessary resources to anywhere within the U.S. within 12 hours of a call.

Awareness and preparedness for a pandemic is necessary. Smedly ssaid that in the event a pandemic should occur, Denver Public Health would help provide medications to the DU community.

“People trust in this institution,” Smedly said while talking about what measures must be taken in such a critical event.

An increase in medications, security, mortality control and mobility control would all be implemented to halt the spread of disease.

Students would need to begin stockpiling foods, medicines and be prepared to take care of themselves for up to several weeks.

“There are many protein foods that will last, like peanut butter. Be aware of when you cough, wash your hands,” said Smedly of ways students can start preparing by implementing simple steps.

Richard Chapman, with University Communications, said the number one way students can prepare is to get their required vaccinations.

Students who opt out of vaccinations will be in the first group to be barred from campus in the event of a pandemic influenza.

“This is something a student can do right away, don’t put it off, to avoid getting segregated from campus,” Chapman said.

To learn more on how to better prepare for a pandemic influenza visit http://readycolorado.org.