Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) & Flu Pandemics

Points to Consider During a Pandemic

1. Successive ‘waves’ of the flu, each lasting 2-3 months will impact the United
States, and will occur over a long period of time.
2. People usually transmit the flu 1 to 2 days prior to showing any symptoms

The Federal Government recently cited public health measures to contain a pandemic, should it occur in the United States. Some feel that the question is not if it occurs, but when it occurs. Additionally, a pandemic is global, and not localized to any specific country. Therefore, the impact is felt around the world.

HEALTH IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS

It’s important to know the health impact of past pandemics, as this is what the future pandemic plan is based on for the future.

• In 1918, 500,000 Americans died of what was called the “Spanish Flu”.

Flu Terms Defined

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Avian (or bird) flu (AI) is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. H5N1 is highly pathogenic, deadly to domestic fowl, and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

The Avian Flu was 'all the buzz' a few years back, but people have become immune to the fear (or perhaps fear can only be sustained for a certain length of time, before we have to put it aside in order to live). Therefore, the CDC's recent report on health and safety measures to implement in case of a pandemic, again heightened our awareness of the catastrophic outcomes.

The Harvard Health Letter (June 2006) has some recommendations to help you prepare for Avian Flu.

They suggest that you should get a regular flu shot in the fall. Although it won't protect you from the Avian flu, at least you won't risk getting both versions of the flu at the same time.

Bird flu claimed its 25th victim in INDONESIA. CHINA denies bird flu 'cover-up'. JAPAN has suspended poultry imports from Britain to prevent the spread of bird flu to domestic fowl. BRITISH farm hand infected by mild strain of bird flu. If you are really interested, you can read 30 pages of global bird flu news.

The risk of avian influenza to travelers is very low. Only rare cases of human infection with avian influenza have occurred, and there has been no sustained human to human transmission. Travelers to areas affected by avian influenza in birds are not considered to be at elevated risk of infection unless direct and un-protected exposure to infected birds occurs. For a map of confirmed cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza areas, read the full article.

Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic and avian influenza. Get general information, monitor outbreaks, learn about testing, vaccinations and more using this