An influenza pandemic or infectious disease may occur when a virus radically changes, easily infect humans, and where people have little or no immunity. Pandemics have been recorded every ten to forty years dating back to the 1600s, and likely long before then. There were three during the last century. In 1918, the "Spanish flu", over 20 million people died worldwide. The last pandemic, the "Hong Kong flu", occurred in 1968.

Pandemics don’t happen very often, but when they do they can have serious global and local impacts. Things can change quickly and shortages of personal protective and cleaning supplies can happen. Planning and preparing for your family to stay home (shelter in place) just makes sense. Learn more about COVID-19 here.

All levels of government continually work with provincial, national and international partners to plan, prepare for and respond to a possible influenza pandemic. This website provides information and tips to help individuals, local governments, health sector organizations and businesses plan for an influenza pandemic. It also includes guidelines, response plans, public information materials, contacts and informational links.

Ways to Prepare if your Household needs to Shelter in Place (Stay Home):

Have a battery-operated radio.

• This allows you to listen to your local station for warnings, advice and instructions.

• Stow flashlights with extra batteries.
• Inspect your chimney or flue.
  • This helps prevent structural fires and ensures smoke, carbon monoxide and other potentially harmful gases are properly vented.
• Make sure you have an adequate supply of food and water
  • BCHydro suggests that if the power is out for less than four hours, the food in your fridge and freezer will be safe to consume.
  • If the power is out for longer than four hours, follow BCHydro’s guidelines on making your food supply last as long as possible.
  • Fireplaces, wood stoves, barbecues and camp stoves can be used for emergency cooking. DO NOT use barbecues or camp stoves indoors due to the high risk of carbon monoxide build-up.