Epidemic/Pandemic

DEFINITIONS

• Epidemic – New cases of a disease, in a given population, that exceed normal expectations
• Pandemic – Epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region (i.e. a continent or worldwide)

MINIMIZING DISEASE TRANSMISSION

• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Wash before eating or drinking, applying makeup, inserting contact lenses
• Wash after you sneeze or cough
• Wash after touching frequently touched surfaces (i.e. doorknobs, phones, etc.)
• Stay home; avoid crowded areas or public gatherings if possible
• Stay home when you are sick
• Get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and drink fluids. Avoid tobacco products.
• Cover all new and existing cuts and grazes with waterproof dressing

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DIARRHEAL DISEASES

• Wash hands regularly with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Sanitizing gels/foams/wipes are an adequate substitute when soap and clean water are not available
• Maintain a clean living environment
• Maintain good personal hygiene, including:
  • Follow good hygienic practices when preparing food
  • Do not share eating utensils or drinking containers
  • Do not share items such as toothbrushes or towels
• Disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently (i.e. doorknobs, phones, computers, etc.)
  • Wipe surfaces with a disinfectant such as diluted household bleach

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES

• Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Sanitizing gels/foams/wipes are an adequate substitute when soap and clean water are not available
• Cover your cough and sneeze
  • Cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm
  • If you use a tissue, immediately place the used tissue in a waste basket
• Disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently (i.e. doorknobs, phones, computers, etc.)
  • Wipe surfaces with a disinfectant such as diluted household bleach

SUPPLY RECOMMENDATIONS

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizing gel/foam/wipes
• Disposable gloves to wear while disinfecting areas or attending to someone who is sick
• Aspirin, acetaminophen or other analgesics
• Disposable masks (for your protection, as well as others’)

HAND WASHING

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean, warm, running water and apply soap
• Rub hands together to make later and scrub all surfaces
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds (imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice)
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer
  • If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after attending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

DISINFECTING

• Diluted household bleach (1/4 cup of bleach to a gallon of clean water) may be substituted if disinfectants are not available
• Use only unscented products