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