Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

H1N1 Flu Information Hotline: 1-877-252-3432 Monday-Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that can spread easily from person to person. Because people have not been exposed to this new virus before, they have little or no immunity to the virus; therefore serious illness or death is more likely to result than during seasonal flu.

It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. In addition, a pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last months at a time. The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time.  For information on ways that your district, school or center can prepare for the Pandemic Flu, you can download Pandemic Influenza Preparedness:  A Planning Guide for Tennessee School Districts.