Following the emergence of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza, USDA has made it a priority to prepare for the possible spread of the virus. Under Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, the Department has developed a number of priorities, and is coordinating our activities with the White House and the rest of the Federal Government. USDA's pandemic planning priorities focus on three tracks: 1) surveillance and protection of the U.S. swine herd from the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza; 2) school nutrition program delivery if schools are dismissed; and 3) delivery of essential services, such as nutrition assistance, loan programs, and wildland firefighting.

USDA has developed four scenarios in the event of a detection and/or outbreak of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in the U.S. swine herd and provision of USDA services during the pandemic.

The scenarios are:

Each of these scenarios contains a series of key questions and answers about animal health, guidance for the public regarding USDA services during the pandemic, as well as a summary of the actions USDA would take in the event of a 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza detection in U.S. swine. .