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Policy Updated July 2007

Definitions

  • Pandemic:
    A widespread outbreak of disease that:
    1. Occurs throughout the world
    2. Is caused by a new strain
    3. Spreads easily from person to person due to lack of immuinity
    4. Overwhelms the existing support systems
  • Isolation:
    Separation of people who are ill from those who are healthy and restriction of their movement in order to stop the spread of the disease.
  • Quarantine:
    Separation and restriction of movement of persons who have been exposed but are not yet ill from those who are healthy.
  • Social Distancing:
    Reducing the frequency, proximity and duration of contact between people to reduce the chances of spreading the disease. For example:
    1. Cancellation of classes special events such as athletic events
    2. Elimination of services delivered to groups such as public dining
    3. Encouragement of individuals to limit contact with others by remaining in their homes.
  • Infection Control:
    The utilization of the following to control the spread of disease:
    1. Training/education: personal hygiene, influenza risk factors, etc.
    2. Engineering controls: changes to the work environment (ex: sneeze guards between customers)
    3. Administrative controls: scheduling work tasks in a way that minimizes contact between employees
    4. Work practices: altering processes to reduce contact between employees and customers (ex: distance learning, providing service by phone)
    5. Personal protective equipment: equipment and materials that create barriers
  • WHO:
    World Health Organization