Pandemics are unlikely, but potentially catastrophic events. There were three pandemics in the past century. Many experts believe another pandemic will occur. While we may never use our pandemic preparedness plans, we must be ready to protect the health and safety of our community.

Washtenaw County Public Health is working to protect your health in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak or of any public health emergency. Plans to control a pandemic locally are continuously reviewed and strengthened. Public Health has strategies in place to identify and report communicable diseases, including influenza. Public Health also works closely with state authorities and local partners to coordinate and test response plans.

What Can You Do? Be Prepared

Full preparedness requires informed and ready citizens. Review and use the resources below to prepare for a pandemic or any public health emergency. Help us protect the health of our entire community by preparing yourself, your family, your workplace and your community.

Planning Resources

Individuals and Families (Available in Spanish/Español, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Farsi and Vietnamese.)

K-12 Schools and New! Toolkit for Educators

Colleges and Universities

Businesses (Available in Spanish/Español)

Faith-based and Community Organizations (Available in Spanish/Español)

Child Care and Preschools and New! Toolkit for Child Care Providers (Available in Spanish/Español)

Home Health Care Services (Available in Spanish/Español)

Hospital Preparedness 

New! Flu Fighter Action Kit (for health care providers)

Medical Offices and Clinics

Emergency Medical Services and Medical Transport

Information for specific groups: Travelers, Bird Owners and Hunters.

Key Topics

Cover Your Cough Poster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))
(Available in Spanish/Español).

Basic prevention information, please see Biological Emergencies.

Fact Sheets from Pandemicflu.gov

Facemasks and Respirators from Pandemicflu.gov

What to Do if you Find a Sick or Dead Bird (Michigan Department of Community Health)

Questions & Answers About Avian Influenza (CDC)

Vaccine Information from Pandemicflu.gov

Ten Things You Need to Know about Pandemic Influenza (Available in Spanish/Español) (World Health Organization)

Avian Influenza (CDC) (Available in Spanish/Español)

Biosecurity for the Birds (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Seasonal Influenza

Helpful Web Sites

Pandemicflu.gov (Available in Spanish/Español)

Michigan Prepares

Get Ready for the Flu (American Public Health Association)

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), Pandemic Influenza

MDCH, Emerging Disease Issues, Avian Influenza

World Health Organization (WHO), Pandemic Preparedness

WHO, Avian Influenza (Available in Arabic, Spanish/Español and Russian)

Want more information? Contact our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Cindra James or Health Educator Susan Cerniglia. Or, call us at 734-544-6700.

Return to the main Emergency Preparedness page.

Updated May 2008.