General Information

As a part of the Emergency Management planning function, an Avian Flu Preparedness Committee was formed in November 2005. The purpose of the committee was to develop an emergency response plan for the predicted flu pandemic. The Town presently has a Local Emergency Plan, but the uniqueness of the flu pandemic necessitated the need for an additional, specific plan.

The local response to a pandemic will largely reflect the ability of the Town of Merrimack to respond to any emergency or disaster. Because of the potential impact of a pandemic and the need to coordinate a number of partners to effectively respond, planning for such an event needs to occur well in advance.

This emergency plan is designed to prepare the Town to deal successfully with the potential of an Avian flu pandemic. The three separate but related goals of this plan are as follows:

  • Protect the citizens of Merrimack
  • Limit or prevent the spread of the viruses
  • Ensure the delivery of essential Town provided services continues in the event of a pandemic.


This plan has been developed in anticipation of an Avian flu pandemic. Actions listed in this plan shall be utilized only when an outbreak is reported by the NH Department of Health and Human Services. This does not mean, however, that employees, teachers, staff, students, and citizens should not practice “common sense” infection control activities in regards to good hand hygiene and cough etiquette at all times.

Several features set pandemic influenza apart from other public health emergencies or community disasters:

  • Influenza pandemics are expected but unpredictable and arrive with very little warning.
  • Outbreaks can be expected to occur simultaneously throughout much of the U.S., preventing shifts in human and material resources that usually occur in the response to other disasters. Merrimack must be prepared to rely on its own resources to respond.
  • The effects of influenza on individual communities will be relatively prolonged
  • (weeks to months) in comparison to other types of disasters.
  • Because of the high degree of infectiousness of pandemic influenza, the number
  • of persons affected will be high.
  • Health care workers and first responders may be at higher risk of exposure and illness than the general population, further straining the health care system. Effective prevention and therapeutic measures, including vaccine and antiviral agents, will be delayed and in short supply.
  • Widespread illness in Merrimack could increase the likelihood of sudden and potentially significant shortages of personnel in other sectors who provide public safety services.


The plan contains specific sections designed to meet the goals outlined above. Specifically, the plan will include provisions for the quarantine of sick people, drastic measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including closing schools and canceling public meetings, plans to deal with the high absenteeism rates, training and protecting emergency responders, providing critical, timely, and on going information to the public via multiple media outlets, and distribution of vaccines (when they become available).

The best advice for everyone during a pandemic outbreak is to follow these instructions at home, work, and/or school:

  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
  • Throw away used tissues where no one else will handle them.
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
  • Get vaccinated (annual flu shot)
  • If you are sick, stay home. If your children are sick, keep them home.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid coffee and alcohol.
  • Use medications to relieve flu symptoms.
  • Talk to your doctor about antiviral medication.
  • And above all, do not panic.

If you seek additional information, please check out the following websites: