Pandemic influenza information
This portion of the MIT influenza website is intended to provide the Institute community with the most up-to-date information about pandemic influenza as well as materials and policies specific to the Institute.
A "pandemic" is a global outbreak of disease. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person to person, causing serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in very short time.
In order to reduce the impact of this type of infectious disease outbreak on the MIT community, we have been working with colleagues throughout the Institute to develop an emergency response plan and a program of public health initiatives and policies modeled on recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be; we are doing our best to prepare for all possible scenarios.
This section of the site will be updated as new information becomes available.
Pandemic Influenza Links
Official US Government Website for Pandemic Flu and Avian Influenza: A portal to pandemic influenza information from a variety of US government agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO). It includes updates of the status of flu and medical developments.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): A Disaster Supply List, in PDF format.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: This website includes
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available as PDF files for download or printing. Translations in Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish also available.
- Hand washing information webpage, includes PDF files of hand washing posters and brochures. Poster translations in multiple languages available.
- Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Information from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Information from other US agencies (Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the National Wildlife Health Center).
Cambridge Public Health Alliance: A page of FAQs from the Public Health Department of the City of Cambridge.
Cambridge Emergency Management Department
Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Managers Association (CSHEMA): Pandemic flu planning resources from colleges and universities in the United States and other countries. Includes a lengthy collection of links to other government agencies, as well as private sector organizations involved in risk management.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Red Cross Team And Network of MIT (ARCTAN): Information on volunteering for MIT's Disaster Assistance Team (DAT). MIT ARCTAN is a college club of the Massachusetts Bay chapter of the American Red Cross.
Massachusetts Volunteerism - Connect and Serve: A portal for community volunteering opportunities. Search by agency/organization or type of volunteer effort (education, homelessness, disaster relief, etc.), or search by recent postings. Register as a volunteer - Medical Reserve Corps opportunities included.
Medical Reserve Corps: Pandemic Flu guidance for Medical Reserve Corps Units. Also of interest is a listing of Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corps units
US Department of State - Medical Information for Americans Traveling
"Preparing for the Next Pandemic" New England Journal of Medicine, May 5, 2005