Citizen's Planning Guide
An infectious disease emergency is inevitable. The impact of the next influenza pandemic could have a devastating effect on the health and well being of the American Public. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health estimates that in Duxbury, Massachusetts (population 15,127 in 2005) alone during a 2 - 3 month period:
- 5597 people will become ill with the flu;
- 2572 people will require out-patient visits;
- 61 people will require hospitalization;
- 15 people will die of flu related causes.
Effective preventative and therapeutic measures, including vaccines and antiviral agents, will likely be in short supply, as well as antibiotics to treat secondary infections. Widespread illness in the community will increase the likelihood of sudden and potentially significant shortages of personnel in all work sectors that provide essential community services, including but not limited to, medical personnel, police, firefighters, utility workers, etc.
The protection of the health and welfare of the residents of the Town of Duxbury must be managed at the local level as the federal and state government may not be able to meet all requests for assistance. The Duxbury Board of Health along with Duxbury Emergency Management are currently working on infectious disease emergency plans for Duxbury. However, no one knows what the actual impact a pandemic will have on town resources. With that in mind it should be every citizens responsibility to make their own emergency plans.
You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This page will give you the resources to start your planning.