Announcement

IOM Guide to Recent Studies and Workshops on Pandemic Flu

Released: 5/1/2009

Cases of the novel strain of H1N1 (Swine Origin [SO]) influenza that spread rapidly through Mexico in April 2009 now span the globe, and pandemic response plans are being activated to meet the threat to public health. In the past several years, the Institute of Medicine has gathered experts to consider major policy issues related to pandemic influenza and other infectious disease threats similar to the current spread of H1N1 (SO) influenza. The products of these activities discuss many dimensions of pandemic planning and response. This guide highlights action and information that could be useful for near-term implementation of pandemic planning and response in the following areas:

• Communicating with and engaging the public
• Use of masks and personal protective equipment
• Use of antiviral drugs and vaccines
• Outbreak mitigation (e.g., social distancing, school closures)
• Surveillance, research, and evaluation during a pandemic

The guide is available for download as a PDF.

For more information, please send an email to iomwww@nas.edu. Media should contact Christine Stencel at cstencel@nas.edu or 202.334.2138.

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