SOUTHEASTERN NEWS
Pandemic Influenza Resources
5/9/2008
What you need to know about the bird flu
With all the attention focused on avian (bird) flu, here are some common questions about the virus with answers from leading authorities.
Q: What is bird flu?
A: Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in birds, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Wild birds carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually don't get sick from them. The viruses, however, are very contagious among domesticated birds, such as ducks, chickens and turkeys, and can be deadly to them. These domesticated birds can get infected by direct contact with infected birds or by contact with dirt, feed or water that's been contaminated, explains the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most strains of bird flu cause only minor symptoms in birds and are of little risk to humans, according to the FDA. But H5N1, the current strain getting so much attention, spreads rapidly through flocks and kills between 90 and 100 percent of infected birds, often within 48 hours. It can also infect humans.
Q: How many people have been infected?
A: So far, bird flu infections in humans are extremely rare. More than 325 human cases of H5N1 were confirmed in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Near East between 1996--when the virus was first identified in birds--and August 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.
That is a small number of human infections compared to the millions of birds that have been infected. However, more than half of the humans infected have died, according to the WHO, and most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults. It's not understood why some people are at greater risk for infection than others.
Q: Have there been cases in the United States?
A: To date, there have been no reports of infection among birds or people in the United States.
Q: How is the disease passed from birds to humans?
A: In most cases, people infected with bird flu have had close contact with poultry, such as ducks, chickens or turkeys, reports the CDC.
In Asia, where H5N1 first surfaced, many people raise poultry for food and income. Also, their flocks tend to roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas with children playing. People are put at risk for the disease, the WHO explains, when they're exposed to the feces of infected birds or to the birds' blood during slaughter, defeathering or cooking.
Q: What are the symptoms of bird flu?
A: In humans, symptoms of infection can range from general signs of flu--such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches--to eye infections, pneumonia and severe, life-threatening, respiratory diseases, the CDC reports.
Q: Can infection pass from human to human?
A: It's very rare for H5N1 to spread from one person to the other. And in cases where this has happened, infection has not continued beyond one person, the CDC reports.
However, all flu viruses have the ability to change. If more people do get infected with H5N1, the virus may adapt and become more contagious among humans.
Q: What is a pandemic?
A: If H5N1 gains the ability to spread easily from person to person, it could possibly trigger a pandemic--a worldwide outbreak of disease.
Since humans have no immunity to such a virus, it would likely spread quickly when infected people cough or sneeze, according to the WHO. Airline travelers, in particular, could help the virus spread rapidly from country to country. Nobody can predict when or if a pandemic might occur, but health organizations around the world are monitoring bird flu outbreaks closely.
Q: Can bird flu be prevented or treated?
A: In April 2007, the FDA approved a vaccine for humans against the H5N1 influenza virus.
The vaccine could be used if the virus suddenly developed the ability to spread easily from person to person, causing a pandemic. That has not happened so far. The vaccine is not available commercially--meaning, you can't get it from a doctor's office. The federal government bought the vaccine for the national stockpile. The vaccine is intended for adults 18-64 years old who are at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 virus. The government will distribute the vaccine if it is ever needed, says the FDA. As far as possible treatments, H5N1 is resistant to two of the most common flu medications--amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine). Two other medications, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), may work against the virus, but further studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness, the CDC reports. WHO has urged countries around the world to have an adequate supply of such antiviral drugs in case of a pandemic.
Q: What is the U.S. doing to prepare?
A: Along with supporting efforts to develop other bird flu vaccines, the U.S. government: o Regulates the importation of live birds and bird products from other countries.
o Oversees the safety of imported and domestic poultry and poultry products.
o Has screened thousands of migratory birds entering the country for H5N1.
Q: Does eating infected poultry or eggs pose a risk?
A: Keep in mind that H5N1 has not been found in this country. And the U.S. government has taken steps to help prevent infected birds and eggs from entering the food supply here, the FDA adds.
That said, the H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat, so poultry and eggs that are prepared properly shouldn't pose a risk for infection, according to the WHO. Also, hens severely infected with the flu usually stop laying eggs. That means few infected eggs are likely to reach the market.
Q: What can I do to protect my health?
A: Even though there have been no reported cases of H5N1 in the United States, it's a good idea to practice good safety habits. To help protect yourself from possible infection:
o View wild birds and other wildlife from a distance.
o Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves when handling or cleaning wild game.
o Thoroughly clean all knives, equipment and surfaces that come into contact with wild game.
o Cook all wild game, eggs and poultry thoroughly.
o Wash your hands and all cooking equipment and surfaces with hot, soapy water when cooking eggs or poultry.
SRMC Assistant Director of Nursing, Infection Control Dale Gifford suggests two simple things to help reduce the risk of getting an infection: handwashing and the influenza vaccine or flu shot.
“Influenza vaccine is not given specifically to protect against the bird flu but could potentially help prevent or reduce the seriousness of some of the symptoms. Also, in the event we had an outbreak, taking the flu shot would help your physician make a determination as to whether you were suffering from seasonal influenza or bird flu,” said Gifford.
Gifford also recommends preparing homes and families for the possibility of any disaster, including an infection spread by the respiratory route, including bird flu. A few key items to keep on hand, as recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services, include:
· Thermometer (adult and child) · Non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on-hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines (except for children under the age of two as recommended by the FDA), and vitamins. · Bottled water (at least a two-week supply) · Non-perishable food items (canned goods, two week supply)
Q: Where can I get more information about bird flu?
A: The following Web sites provide up-to-date information on bird flu: o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
o World Health Organization: www.who.int
o U.S. government web site for pandemic flu and avian flu information: www.pandemicflu.gov.
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