Pandemic or infectious disease
A contagious disease is spreading widely and health authorities are asking people to limit contact.
Warning signs
- Health authority alerts about a new or spreading illness
- School, work or community closures
- Someone in the household develops fever, cough or other symptoms
Stay or go
Stay home, especially when sick, except to get medical care. Seek care at once for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion or loss of speech or movement.
Do now
- Follow your national and local health authority for testing, vaccine and safety updates.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use sanitiser of 60% alcohol or more. (medical-16)
- Keep prescriptions filled and buy supplies gradually so others can get what they need. (medical-3)
- Put a sick person in a separate room with the door closed, and allow no visitors.
- Choose one healthy caregiver; both wear medical masks when sharing a space.
Then
- Open windows for fresh air where safe.
- Clean and disinfect shared surfaces and items at least once a day.
- Give the sick person separate dishes and utensils.
- Watch symptoms; get urgent care for a child with fast breathing, blue lips, lethargy or trouble feeding. (medical-25)
- Cover coughs and sneezes and get vaccinated when advised.
- Plan for school, work and community closures. (continuity-22)
Related steps
Sources
- Pandemic. Ready.gov (FEMA), accessed 2026-11
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): home care for families and caregivers. World Health Organization, accessed 2026-11