Non-pharmaceutical public health interventions for pandemic influenza, national and community measures.

This is the second part of a two part report which summarises the scientific data, historic experience, and contemporary observations that make up the limited evidence base for these interventions as applied to influenza. Part 2 summarises the basis for measures within countries at the national and community levels. Non-pharmaceutical interventions outside of healthcare settings focus on measures to 1) limit international spread (e.g., travel screening and restrictions); 2) reduce spread within national and local populations (e.g., isolation and treatment of ill persons; monitoring and possible quarantine of exposed persons; and social distancing measures, such as cancellation of mass gatherings and closure of schools); 3) reduce an individual person’s risk for infection (e.g., hand hygiene); and 4) communicate risk to the public. Categories 2 and 3 are addressed in Part 2. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2006;12:88-94.