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Community Resources for Major Critical Incidents: Influenza (Flu)

Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. The current risk to persons in this area from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. More information is available from the Fairfax County Health Department Pandemic Influenza Questions and Answers web site. The Health Department’s planning for pandemic influenza addresses a broad range of issues.

FCPS is working with the county government and the health department on the communitywide response for for pandemic influenza.

School based infection control measures (including hand washing and surface cleaning) and universal hygiene measures have been found to be effective in preventing and mitigating the spread of influenza. These and other prevention measures are in place in our schools.

Through the FCPS web site, Channel 21, e-mail, and school newsletters, FCPS will continue to keep the school community aware of security precautions being taken in its schools. For information about your school’s participation in these and other critical incident preparations, please contact your principal.

Helpful links

• Fairfax County Pandemic Flu Planning

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on preventing the flu and materials and tools for schools

• United States Department of Health and Human Services web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

• Fairfax County Health Department home page

• Virginia Department of Health home page

Pandemic Flu Resources

• September 2007 briefing to the School Board (PDF)

• Response Plan (PDF)

• Response Matrix (PDF)

• Planning Guide (PDF)

• Personal Protection Equipment (PDF)
  

General FCPS Crisis Communication Resources

• Emergency Messages

• Crisis Response, including crisis management, crisis communication and crisis intervention

• Resources for Major Critical Incidents

• Emergency Preparedness and Support Frequently Asked Questions

DISCLAIMER: This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.

Last update: October 17, 2007
Curator: Rose Kaspersen, Rose.Kaspersen@fcps.edu