|
 Avian (Bird) Flu and Pandemic Flu Planning and Preparedness
Visit columbuspandemicflu.com for additional information.
It’s been all the buzz the past few months, pandemic flu. What is it? Will it affect me and my family? How do I prepare when and if it happens?
What is Avian Flu?
Most likely you are hearing a lot about avian influenza which many experts believe could mutate into the next pandemic flu. Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks and turkeys). Avian influenza does not spread easily form person to person at this time.
What is Pandemic Flu?
Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss. The Spanish Flu in 1918 was the largest recorded pandemic flu with 40 to 50 million fatalities worldwide and 400,000 to 500,000 in the Unites States.
Seasonal influenza currently causes approximately 36,000 fatalities in the United States each year.
For a flu pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met:
- A new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population
- It causes serious illness in people
- It spreads easily from person to person worldwide
Currently, there is no pandemic flu in the world. However two of the three criteria for pandemic flu are satisfied in the current Avian Flu outbreak.
How would Pandemic Flu affect daily living?
If a flu pandemic would happen, our day to day lives would be greatly impacted in numerous ways including:
- Staffing shortages at places of business
- Significant disruption of transportation, commerce, utilities, public safety and communications
- Limited to no assistance from state and federal governments due to nationwide impact
- Health care facilities overwhelmed
What's being done to prepare?
At this time, the Franklin County Board of Health is busy preparing for a possible flu pandemic. The Franklin County Board of Health has been working collaboratively with the Columbus Health Department developing pandemic flu and mass vaccination plans as well as participating in region wide exercises. The two health departments worked to establish the Central Ohio Public Information Network for Pandemic Flu, which has been meeting since April of 2006. The network is made up of local leaders and stakeholder working together to prepare their jurisdictions and businesses for pandemic flu.
In addition to the Network, the Franklin County Board of Health continues to track diseases in the community. If a pandemic does occur, the Franklin County Board of Health will coordinate mass vaccination clinics and issue isolation and quarantine orders.
What can you and your family do to prepare?
Prevention is always a key to limit the effect of a flu whether it be a pandemic or seasonal flu. Here are a few tips for prevention:
- Stay at home when you are sick
- Cover your cough
- Wash your hands regularly Ready in 3 Make A Plan
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
 The Franklin County Board of Health also promotes an initiative here in Franklin County, “Ready in 3.” This initiative details how to prepare for an emergency in three easy steps…
- Make A Kit
- Make A Plan
- Listen
All residents are encouraged to take the time now to develop an emergency kit and a family communication plan.
| Do you or your organization want to learn more about pandemic flu and being prepared for a crisis? The Franklin County Board of Health can come to your organization and do a presentation on pandemic flu. Please email fcbh@franklincountyohio.gov for more information. |
For more information, please check out the links below...
Columbuspandmicflu.com
Pandemic Flu PowerPoint Presentation
Fact Sheet on Local Plans From the Franklin County Board of Health and Columbus Health Department
State of Ohio Pandemic Flu Web Site
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Info on Pandemic Flu
The Official Pandemic/Avian Flu Web Site
Pandemic Flu Planning Checklists (including businesses, faith-based, etc.)
Are You Ready In 3? Information about being prepared for a crisis
Ready in 3 PowerPoint Presentation (click HERE)
American Red Cross Flier on Pandemic Flu Preparedness
Fact sheet on the Emergency Food Pyramid
|
