May 5, 2009 - Cases of the novel influenza strain of swine origin -- known as H1N1 -- that spread rapidly through Mexico in April 2009 are now appearing around the globe, and pandemic response plans are being activated to meet the threat to public health.

In the past several years, the Institute of Medicine has released a number of reports and workshop summaries related to some of the major policy issues that arise when confronting pandemic influenza and other infectious disease threats similar to the current spread of H1N1 influenza. IOM has put together a guide (available online or in PDF format) to highlight information from these reports that could be useful for pandemic planning and response in the following areas:

• Communicating with and engaging the public
• Use of masks and personal protective equipment
• Use of antiviral drugs and vaccines
• Outbreak mitigation (e.g., social distancing and school closures)
• Surveillance, research, and evaluation during a pandemic

In addition, IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg has made his book on the 1976 swine flu outbreak, The Swine Flu Affair: Decision-Making on a Slippery Disease, available free of charge. The book examines the U.S. government's swine flu immunization program in the wake of an outbreak among a small group of soldiers at Fort Dix. The program was marked by controversy, delay, administrative troubles, legal complications, unforeseen side effects, and a progressive loss of credibility for public health authorities. Dedicated to co-author Richard Neustadt, the book extracts lessons to help cope with similar situations in the future. Fineberg also recently co-authored with Mary Elizabeth Wilson an editorial on the topic in Science magazine.