With the flu continuing to circulate in Oregon, organizers of large gatherings should think about what they can do to help protect people attending their events. Reasonable precautions can help reduce the spread of flu, including H1N1, at large events, protecting the people most vulnerable to severe complications from the flu and guarding against major outbreaks.

Basic prevention

The most effective step event organizers can take to protect attendees is to re-emphasize the basic public health flu-prevention messages. Event organizers should remind people to stay home from the event if they are not feeling well, to wash or sanitize their hands frequently, and to cover their coughs and sneezes. Emphasizing these messages when promoting the event, and repeating them often during the event, will help reassure attendees that efforts are being made to minimize flu virus transmission.

Prepare for staff shortages

Event organizers should review basic issues that might affect their ability to stage the event. They should consider increasing staffing levels, because staff might be ill and have to stay home. It's also smart to prepare for increased use of hand sanitizers, tissues, soap and paper towels. Custodial staff should take extra precautions to protect themselves from exposure to contaminated surfaces and waste by using gloves when cleaning.

Spread the safety message

Organizers need to get two important messages out to possible attendees before the event. People at high risk for flu complications should be discouraged from attending an event unless they have been vaccinated, and people who have had flu-like symptoms should stay away until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. These messages apply to event staff as well.

More information

Organizers of large gatherings, particularly multi-day events or events involving more than 1,000 people, can get more information by consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guidance for Mass Gathering Event Organizers during flu season.