U S Department of Homeland Security

Pandemic Influenza U S Department of Homeland Security

Public health experts warn pandemic influenza poses a significant risk to the United States and the world-only its timing, severity, and exact strain remain uncertain. International, Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies are diligently planning for the public health response to this potential pandemic. The disease could be severe and could affect our critical infrastructure and our nation's economic and social security. It is important that you take action. As part of the U. S. Government's pandemic preparedness strategy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports the efforts of the public and private sector Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CI/KR) community and their businesses to develop and execute their essential pandemic contingency plans and preparedness actions. The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Guide is one of the practical tools DHS has developed for business owner-operators and their contingency planners to enhance pandemic planning. This guide assembles the primary government and pandemic infl uenza-specific background material, references, and contacts all in one place. It introduces an enhanced contingency planning process for a pandemic and provides business planners with numerous sector-specifi c and common pandemic influenza planning variables keyed to escalating disaster phases. This Guide will complement and enhance, not replace, extensive private sector contingency planning already in place.