Pandemic Influenza Mitigation

The best protection against pandemic influenza—a vaccine that is well-matched to the virus causing illness—is not likely to be available at the outset of a pandemic.  Community strategies that do not involve vaccines or medications (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may serve as a first line of defense to help delay or mitigate the spread of influenza.

Mitigation guidelines issued by the CDC (February 2007) include social distancing strategies to reduce contact between people:

• closing schools
• canceling public gatherings
• planning for liberal work leave policies
• teleworking strategies
• voluntary isolation of cases
• voluntary quarantine of household contacts

The guidance was developed through a collaborative process that included public health officials, mathematical modelers, researchers, and stakeholders from government, academia, private industry, education, and civic and faith-based organizations.  It will be refined as needed based on further knowledge gained from research, exercises, and practical experience.