CDC Releases 1918 Pandemic Flu Storybook

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an online storybook containing narratives from survivors, families, and friends about one of the largest scourges ever on human kind – the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed millions of people around the world. The storybook provides valuable insight for public health officials preparing for the possibility of another pandemic sometime in our future. “Complacency is enemy number one when it comes to preparing for another influenza pandemic,” said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. “These stories, told so eloquently by survivors, family members, and friends from past pandemics, serve as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact that influenza can have and reading them is a must for anyone involved in public health preparedness.” “It′s an excellent resource, not only for public health professionals, but for people of all ages,” said Sharon KD Hoskins, a public affairs officer who coordinated the project for CDC. “It’s probably the closest to experiencing the real thing that many of us can imagine.” The storybook can be found at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/storybook/index.html.