How many people will get sick in a pandemic?
There is no way to tell. Our ability to treat people improves constantly. But experts estimate that a quarter to a third of the population could be sick at one time. • Is Maryland prepared for a pandemic? We are more prepared than ever. Maryland has been working to prepare for a pandemic influenza outbreak since 1999. We were one of the first states to develop a pandemic influenza plan. However, we can always continue to improve preparations through better education of citizens, training of health care professionals, and medical innovation. Preparing for a pandemic is a big task that requires everyone’s participation. • What can the average citizen do to get prepared for a flu pandemic? First of all, educate yourself by talking with your personal doctor and by reading from this website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov. Educate your family. People can also start practicing simple but important preventive actions, such as hand-washing, covering your mo
