What is community mitigation for a flu pandemic?

"Community mitigation" refers to the actions that communities and Federal, State, and local governments will take to reduce the effects of a flu pandemic. 

A pandemic cannot be prevented, but certain actions can be taken to help slow its spread. These actions may include:

• asking sick people to stay home and away from others, 
• asking household members of a sick person also to stay home, 
• dismissing children from school and 
• closing child care facilities to protect children, and 
• limiting direct contact between people. 

Other protective measures include: 

• hand washing, 
• covering coughs and sneezes, 
• wearing face masks (i.e., loose-fitting disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth) and respirators, and 
• using antiviral drugs (drugs that fight viruses) and vaccines.

Related Questions:

• What are non-pharmaceutical interventions as part of a community mitigation?
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• What community mitigation actions would health officials recommend to help limit the spread of pandemic flu?
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Last Updated: 12/15/2008