The most disturbing information in this article may be that there is so little good research evidence to make recommendations. We don't really know how effective isolation, quarantine, school and work closures, travel restrictions, hand-washing, masks, and disinfection are. The report does conclude that isolation, quarantine, and travel restrictions are probably not worthwhile once a pandemic has become established. See ...more... for the abstract or access the article directly.

Abstract: "The World Health Organization's recommended pandemic influenza interventions, based on limited data, vary by transmission pattern, pandemic phase, and illness severity and extent. In the pandemic alert period, recommendations include isolation of patients and quarantine of contacts, accompanied by antiviral therapy. During the pandemic period, the focus shifts to delaying spread and reducing effects through population-based measures. Ill persons should remain home at first symptoms, but forced isolation and quarantine are ineffective and impractical. If the pandemic is severe, social distancing measures such as school closures should be considered. Nonessential domestic travel to affected areas should be deferred. Hand and respiratory hygiene should be routine; mask use should be based on setting and risk, and contaminated household surfaces should be disinfected. Additional research and field assessments during pandemics are essential to update recommendations. Legal authority and procedures for implementing interventions should be understood in advance and should respect cultural differences and human rights.

 World Health Organization Writing Group. Nonpharmaceutical interventions for pandemic influenza, national and community measures. Emerg Infect Dis . 2006 Jan.

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